Modern campaign for suffrage Flashcards
Can members of the royal family vote?
They choose not to, but there is no legal or constitutional restraint on them doing so
When are 16-17 year olds likely to gain suffrage?
When a party feels they are likely to benefit from it; this will probably be a radical party of the left
List the arguements in favour of 16-17 year olds being given the franchise
- With the spread of citizenship education, the internet and social media, young people are now more politically informed than ever
- Voting turnout amongst the 18-24 group is extremely low. This may encourage more young people to vote and become involved in politics
- If one is old enough to serve in the army, get married or pay tax, they are old enough to vote
- The radicalism of the young could act as a good counter-balance to the extreme conservatism of the elderly
List the arguements against the 16-17 group being given the franchise
- Too young to be able to make rational judgements
- Many issues are too complicated for them to be able to understand
- Few of them pay tax and so have a lower stake in society
- Some of the young tend to be excessively radical as they have not had enough experience to consider issues carefully
What is ‘votes at 16’?
A coalition of groups who believe over 16s should have the franchise in all UK elections
Who do ‘votes at 16’ work with to try and lower the voting age?
- The Electoral Reform Society
- British Youth Parliament
- National Union of Students
What methods do ‘votes at 16’ use?
- Producing and publishing information through its website
- Providing templated and advice for how to email MPs to raise the issue in parliament
- Giving advice on how to campaign and raise awareness locally
- Providing advice on how to lobby MPs
- Organising the ‘adopt a peer’ initiative to lobby a member of the house of lords
List the 3 primary successes for ‘votes at 16’
Lowering the voting age to 16 was a policy in the manifestors of Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems, Plaid and the Greens
