The issue of lowering the voting age to 16 has caused much debate over the years, but the upcoming election has drawn this into sharper focus. Some 16-year-old pupils at William Howard School in Brampton believe that they are prepared and clued-up enough to take on some of the responsibility for choosing the next leader of the country. Our readers had their say on the News & Star website and Facebook page.

If they’re old enough to pay tax and reproduce, then they’re old enough to vote - no taxation without representation as the American revolutionists used to say.

Sarah Wicks

Bit young, what do they really know about life and the universe and everything? They may think they do... but do they?

Jean Millie

Far too young vote. Let them experience in life so they have a better understanding in voting and not brainwashed easily. And plus half can’t even get out of bed.

Phil Allen

Let them vote - at least they won’t be able to blame everything on the older generation - many of whom are either disinterested in politics or are just as easily influenced by emotive soundbites, tweets and targeted Facebook posts.

Alan Stark

I think it would be a good idea to teach politics so 16-year-olds have a better understanding.

Brad Mcguire

I remember being told how parliament works, as well as being given manifestos of the major parties to discuss with classmates.

Jamie Harrison

All these youngsters clamouring for a vote, only to find none of the politicians are worth voting for...

Chris Bashall

We the people know very little about how the government functions and how some of the candidates function within that system. Which knowledge like that is very important when you’re voting. Yet we still vote. The common American voter votes off emotional response towards a candidate not logic. So stop with the argument of oh what do they know. It’s a shallow and invalid argument.

Andrew Lang

I see young people as parents at that age, who have been young carers most of their life practically running a home. Not exactly snowflakes! Lets not belittle their experiences!

Emma Banks

Elderly people generally hold back development. Some are of course good people who think and care for others.

Dan Murphy

Studies have shown that after age 65, mental acuity is reduced and people become more susceptible to believing conspiracy theories and fake news. I vote to cap out the voting age at 65. It’s not old people’s future, after all, why should they get to vote on it?

Pierce Dyer

It’s not the under 18s who believe they will win a telly from Argos, a holiday to Center Parcs or an Asda gift card just by sharing a post.

Nor is it them falling for deliberately fake news stories posted on satirical blogs nor falling for hilariously ludicrous suggestions that are allegedly in the Lisbon treaty.

Jamie Tickner

Does this mean that young offenders can also be named and made accountable for their crimes?

Moira Ridley

Allowed to have children, join the armed forces and get a job, but not allowed any say in how the society they live in spends their taxes (from their job) on said armed forces, or on support for parents?

Jamie Harrison

I joined the armed forces at 16 and served 27 years. You spend most of the first two years training as you can’t deploy on operations. I was also a young parent and the last thing on my mind at the time was who to vote for. Bearing in mind we didn’t have social media and the news was boring haha.

Kevin Grove

16 is perfect. They’re old enough to work + pay taxes + have a driving licence.

Samantha Kay

I don’t understand why the older generation has so many issues with the younger generations actually having a say in how our country is run. We live here too, we should be able to have a say too. (And life experience doesn’t equal right to vote like some people believe).

Ren Mills

I’d actually say 21+. Most under that age don’t really have a clue about politics - I know a lot like that.

Bradley Carr

Unfortunately teaching politics without any bias is probably difficult. The personal opinions of the teacher will encroach at some point I believe.

There are many adults in this country who for one reason or another never vote and are usually among the people who complain the most about the government we have.

Politicians may well get into politics with good intentions but it would appear that the system soon overtakes them and they can’t do what they said they would. This could be why we the voters have become apathetic and disinterested.

Let the 16-year-olds vote, their futures are at stake.

I am in my seventies and don’t agree with some of the comments suggesting I should no longer be able to vote. I am a citizen of this country and have the right to vote too just as much as the young.

Hazel Stark