Clacton residents react to plan to cut voting age to 16

The debate seems to be between those who believe younger people are mature enough to make informed political decisions and others who question whether teenagers have sufficient life experience to vote responsibly.

Bailey Finnety (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Bailey Finnety, 21, a teacher training student living near Clacton seafront, said: "I don't think there's enough education in schools around politics, so I think voting age being lowered isn't something I fully agree with.

"There are only certain individuals who really know what they're getting into, and a lot of people will be seeing propaganda online and vote for that. So I don't think, without proper training in schools, lowering the voting age to 16 is the smartest move."

Freddie Day (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Restaurant worker Freddie Day, 21, who also lives on Clacton seafront, said: "I don't think lowering the voting age was a good move because I think it should stay at 18.

"People at 18 are a little bit more mature and informed than when they are at 16, so it could have a negative impact on the election results if 16-year-olds start to vote."

However, not all residents share these concerns.

Rosemary Killshaw (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Rosemary Killshaw, 56, a carer for her daughter, living in Burrsville Park, Clacton, said: "I actually think 16 isn't a bad age for them to start voting.

"I think kids now are more mature. They do know what's going on.

"My son is only 15 and he knows everything. He is very well informed, he knows all about what's going on in the world with the wars and everything.

"I think the kids these days do pick up information fairly quickly and they have access to their phones and the internet. They actually know a lot more than we would credit them for."

The debate highlights contradictions in how society treats young people's responsibilities and rights.

Nicky Wright (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Nicky Wright, 50, a support worker from Thorpe-le-Soken, said: "I think 16 is too young, but then on the other hand, you can join up and be in the army at 16.

"So if you're old enough to do that, in theory, you're old enough to vote.

"But I don't think the average 16-year-old would know much about politics. I think life experience makes you mature.

"When kids have real-world experience, they'd make better decisions. Now, the way a 16-year old votes would be more about what their family's views are, rather than the child actually being able to make up their own mind."

Some older residents express even stronger reservations about youth political participation.

Sandra Jones (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Sandra Jones, 69, a retired resident living in Little Clacton, said: "I don't think 16-year-olds are old enough to vote.

"I don't think even 18-year-olds are old enough to be voting.

"And in the last elections, it was the youngsters that weren't voting. Because, I think, as some of them said on a TV documentary, they haven't experienced much of life, and they are in a way not responsible for their household and expenses and things like that, so how do they know if a politician or a political party is any good for them?"

Jonathan Elam (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Yet others see potential benefits in engaging younger voters earlier.

Jonathan Elam, 54, living on Third Avenue said: "I think it wouldn't be bad if 16-year-olds get voting rights.

"These days, kids are very mature - they know what they're doing.

"Maybe by lowering the voting age to 16 the new generation would be able to change the future for the better."