'Give our young people a voice'

SUPPORTERS of lowering the voting age believe youngsters need to be given a voice. The House Committee is set to go to the States next month with proposals to reduce the minimum age from 18 to 16.

Jersey and the Isle of Man have already done so.

Deputy Mike O'Hara instigated the proposal.

'There are two issues which made me go for it,' said Deputy O'Hara.

'One was really to let the youngsters have a bit more of a say in the way the island is run and equally I believe the politicians should be listening to what youngsters want because they are an essential part of our society.'

He added that giving young people more say could lead to them becoming better citizens.

'If you give them possession of what goes on, a chance to get involved, you can't help but think it's going to be for the good.'

Every youngster he had spoken to had supported the idea.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is believed to support lowering the voting age in the UK.

'We are at the stage where we should be looking at it in a serious way,' said Deputy O'Hara.

'Our youngsters are very mature - not all hooligans like some people think. They play an important role in society.'

At 16 people could get married, pay income tax and sign up for the armed forces, he said.

Deputies were making decisions now that would have an impact on people in the future, he added. 'I think it's a very good step in the right direction. It's important we as an island listen to them and let them have their say.'

NCH youth alcohol worker Adam Farish believed the voting age should be lowered.

'If you can be tried as an adult at 17, you should be able to vote for the people who put the laws in place,' he said.

He knew plenty of 16-year-olds who had an interest in politics, he added.

Lowering the age could open up voting to about 3,000 more people.

Mr Farish did not believe everyone would take it up, but said that not all over-18s voted either.

'But those who would are people with a genuine and strong interest. Most young people think they are under-represented when it comes to the States, so the opportunity to be heard and have a voice is a good idea.'

Grammar School head teacher Jeff Smith agreed that lowering the voting age would be a good thing.

'I hope it would lead to increased awareness and interest in local issues and government,' he said.

'It would be a good opportunity for the States to get an understanding of young people's views.'