This debate comes down to two crucial questions.

The first is that do we believe that young

people have the capacity to engage in the political system and vote? If we take a look at the
Scottish referendum where 16- and 17-year-olds were given the vote and our Brexit
referendum, where they could not, you would be able to see that it is time for a change. Age
is now becoming a huge dividing factor in British politics – more than other divisions in
voting behavior such as class or geography. It is completely undemocratic to exclude 16 -17
year olds from the franchise any longer. Giving 16 year old the vote will encourage the
young to believe that voting is not a choice, it is a responsibility and a duty.

⁃ Thank you everyone for allowing us to propose our motion.

⁃ If you will allow me to indulge in a little rebuttal, I would
like disagree with some points from the opposition

⁃ Immaturity
⁃ You suggested that 16 year olds are not adults, however
they are in Active in society they have many responsibilities and are
a big addition to our economy/ the laws affect them in the future
⁃
⁃ Are you really suggesting that smoking is as bad as giving
them the law
⁃ Would you deny people the vote simply because they didn’t
have Alevels.
⁃ Smoking is clearly bad for an individual’s health but what
about the health of our society

In conclusion I would like to say that there are many reasons why
16 years olds should be given the vote. You cannot say that they are
immature and then allow them to join the army. You cannot say that
they are ill informed, without testing the intelligence of every adult
that votes, you cannot say that they have too much pressure,
without acknowledging the fact that they are starting a new and
completely different stage of their lives. The argument that certain
groups of people lack the knowledge or maturity to vote has been
used against increasing voting rights to people who don’t own land,
servants, and women throughout history. By denying 16 year olds
the right to vote, you are essentially doing the same thing.