A debate on GB News got very heated this evening as panellists discussed whether the voting age should be lowered to 16.
It has been reported that Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's Shadow Business Secretary, has said that if elected the party will "look into" lowering the voting age.
Professor of Politics at the University of Kent Matt Goodwin blasted the idea and said that young people are not "developed enough intellectually or emotionally."
Journalist Nina Myskow argued that if you are paying taxes at 16, you should be able to vote.
Speaking on GB News Goodwin said: "I don't think they're developed enough intellectually, emotionally, I don't think they are paying tax.
"I don't think they're in the conversation as much as others. I don't think they have enough responsibility to be making some of those decisions."
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Myskow argued: "What else can you do when you're 16? You talk about paying taxes, you can at 16 get a job. And therefore when you earn money, you pay taxes.
"I think if you pay taxes, you have an absolute right to know where your money in taxes is going to go and how it's going to be spent, the country that you live in is run."
She later added: "You're old enough to have a child, which is the biggest responsibility you can have. To bring another life into this world and to and to be a parent."
She explained: "It means that you engage from an early age with politics and you understand how how the how things work.
"And it does make you think. And even if you don't want to vote and you have to go along because otherwise you'll be fined, you can spoil your vote, not vote.
"That's absolutely up to you, but it means that you have to think about the system."
Goodwin blasted back: "I also think about myself at 16. I mean, did I really know enough about the world and have enough experience to cast a vote in a general election? No, I didn't really. Not at all."
GB News host Michelle Dewberry said: "I'm in complete disagreement with both of you.
"I think the job of a politician is to engage people. The job of politics is to be inspiring, engaging, and accessible, but also for people to follow through on what they actually promise that they are going to deliver.
"That's how you engage and inspire people. What you don't do is if the only way you can get a turnout or a decent sized turnout is to force people either by, I don't know, sanctions or taking money out of your pocket or whatever. You don't have engagement."
from GB News https://ift.tt/qFn40TE
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