Though it does not seem like it, two years makes all the difference. Lowering the voting age in this country from the current age of 18 to will improve the solidarity and responsibility of our country and generation of young people infinitely more than one may initially suspect.

At this very moment in England, the age where a citizen gains the glorious right to vote is 18. There is an obvious, glaring double standard here: before the age of 18, we will have been forced to pave the path of events that will potentially decide the fate of the rest of our lives by making note only GCSE, but potentially A-Level subject and career choices, and we can be held fully criminally responsible as an adult. It is even possible to marry or enlist in the Armed Forces at the age of 16.

However, at the same time we’re being treated like responsible adults, we’re not even granted permission to take part in the democratic process that could change the fate of our futures even further! How are we supposed to begin to take on the task of maturity if we aren’t granted inclusion into such a fundamental right?

Also, with the involvement of youth in our country’s democratic process, children will inevitably become more interested in and passionate about the vast and often seemingly daunting world of politics. How often have you heard talk of today’s children being too lazy, irresponsible and uninvolved? You and I both know you’ve heard similar words spoken, but that conception can easily change. The only way for the general population of young people to become more interested in politics is for them to truly become more involved in the process. Involvement in politics can lead to involvement in activities such as debates and journalism, which would be immensely beneficial and could provide hobbies for young people. Take myself as an example; around two years ago, I took to the internet to find out about the world of politics as I was fairly indifferent to the whole affair and decided that had to change. Now, I am wholly involved in the political affairs of our country and enjoy debates and articles around the topic.

After all, the fate of our country arguably lies in the hands of the young generation, so it is vital for young people to be educated and involved in the political world.

As well as young people who have yet to realise the importance of politics, there are the young people who are involved in the political world, but feel deprived and left out of the process. We stand by and watch patiently as decisions entirely concerning us are made, longing to take part and make a difference in the events that we feel strongly about. If you are worried about children being irresponsible and voting as a joke, there is no need; thousands of young people across the country would be thrilled to find that they had been granted the right to vote at 16, and would view the change as a huge privilege.

At 16 years old, a teenager has already gained many life skills from school and other activities, and there is naturally a high level of maturity at this age. I strongly believe that if 16 year olds were given the right to vote, they would most definitely take it seriously.

I feel that this would be a crucial development in our country’s values, and would be beneficial to not only young people, but adults, as this would give the youth of England the chance to prove to the older generation that we are responsible. If Scotland has pulled it off and been successful, what’s stopping us?