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The SNP probably brought in voting for 16 and 17 year olds on the basis that it might counter the strong 'No' vote in the 60+ group. However, that group is fai
by pidg 12y ago
The SNP probably brought in voting for 16 and 17 year olds on the basis that it might counter the strong 'No' vote in the 60+ group.
However, that group is fairly equally split (45% Yes/44% No). I reckon they underestimated how strongly popular culture, which is focused on London, influences the 16/17 age group.
- cstross 12y agoI will note that reducing the voting age to 16 in general elections is probably on the cards for the UK as a whole after the next general election: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21178379 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21178379
- willyt 12y agoIts a dangerous game though as young people are unpredictable. I'm trying to find a link to the source but I read recently that the far right Jorge Haider was elected in Austria in the first election after 16/17 year olds were given the vote and the youth vote was a strong factor in his success. Edit: Whoops this was meant to reply to cstross below as a general point about unpredictable youth voting intentions not the intentions of Scots youth in particular.
- nmeofthestate 12y ago"The SNP probably brought in voting for 16 and 17 year olds on the basis that it might counter the strong 'No' vote in the 60+ group." Support for votes at 16 is long-standing. As is support for the same measure by most UK parties. On the subject of 16-24s being 'equally split' - note the same could be said of other age-groups (apart from the more strongly No cohort old people), so 16-24s being the same doesn't say much for a resurgence of Britishness amongst the young.