Results tied on a lower voting age

YOU can have sex, join the army and get married all before the age of 18.

Now the Co-operative has launched a campaign to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. Reporter Karen Doherty asked Oldham shoppers if it gets their vote . . . and got a hung result.

Mary Mills (60), from Glodwick, backed the idea and explained: “If they are old enough to fight for their country and old enough to get killed for their country, then they are old enough to vote. I think they are mature enough to vote at 16.”

Regular voter Carla Silcock also put her cross in the “Yes” box, explaining that it would make politicians take notice of young people’s ideas.

“At 16 they are turning into adults, they should be allowed to vote,” said the 22-year-old from Glodwick

“Politicians ignore young people too much. They just do not think they have got any common sense. To be honest, they are probably more sensible than the politicians.”

Another backer was Sinead Connolly (20), from Watersheddings, who said: “I don’t see why not. I have always been brought up to vote. Everyone has their own opinion and why shouldn’t young people express theirs.”

But while James Marland (22) thought it was a good idea, he admitted that he probably would not have bothered to vote at 16. “I had more important things to do like going out with friends, going to football! I wasn’t interested in politics,” he explained.”

That view was also shared by Mohammed Uddin (44), from Coppice, who added: “I think they are mature enough so why should they have to wait two years to vote? But I don’t think too many would be interested.”

The “No” camp was led by Kathleen Cooney (72), from St Mary’s, who said: “It should be raised to 21 — you should be a bit more mature. How many 16 and 18-year-olds are interested?”

Muriel Harewood (67), from Chadderton, backed the status quo and said: “I had to wait until I was 21 to vote. Eighteen is a good age.

“You have almost grown up at that age. At 16 you are still a bit childish.”

It was also an emphatic “No” from Terence Egan (10), from Chadderton, who said: “At that age they don’t know their own mind. When it comes to looking at politics, I do not think they have got a clue and I do not think they are particularly interested.”