Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The EU Referendum is quickly approaching, with the decision as to whether Britain stays or leaves the European Union just around the corner. Although I have my own opinions on what I believe we ought to do to greatly improve Britain, I am unable to voice my opinions on a platform which will make a difference. You see, as of recently, I am only 16 years old – which legally means I am unable to cast my own vote as to whether Britain stays or leaves. Unfair? Of course. But I’m sixteen, and deemed too “immature” to make a decision which will greatly alter my life.

Surely someone would have looked to Scotland’s Referendum (where people of my age got their own chance to vote for the first time) and take note that Scotland has not suffered from allowing the younger generation to cast their vote on their future? Although it depends who you talk to, of course! Unfortunately, we haven't followed Scotland's example in this case, and so I must wait another two years before I am able to give my opinion. However, this has been described as a “once in a lifetime” vote, and sadly I am not a part of it.

The Government didn’t take into consideration the choices of well opinionated teenagers. As sixteen-year-olds were able to vote in the Scottish referendum, leads me to ask the question – why can’t the rest of us? Being sixteen does not mean that you are not mature enough to handle big decisions as is implied. At sixteen, pupils still in schools would have sat two years’ worth of exams and have had three long years of decisions for their futures. As one of these young people, I can admit that it seems highly unfair that some believe myself and my fellow pupils too young to make life-changing decisions, despite having done so for the past three years. We're expected not to mess up our own lives, but we have to keep quiet while others mess them up for us.

It’s my belief that, at sixteen, you are fully capable of choosing your own way in life. Friends and family members may influence your thinking, however it is not uncommon for young people to form their own opinions. I see it as only being fair that we have a choice in many matters, as it is us who must endure the consequences in the future. By allowing us a vote on referendums and general elections, it is giving us a chance to change the future we will otherwise be forced to live with. I would rather have my say on whether we leave the EU or not and lose, than not being able to speak up, because I was deemed “too immature” to vote.

What difference does two years make? At sixteen, you are not too young, but you are not choosing an option of least resistance. You are choosing a path which you feel will have the best consequences. By this age, I have already lived through terror attacks in the cities surrounding mine, and have witnessed history repeating itself with the worst possible results. I am aware of my political standing, and better understand politics than some ‘adults’ at eighteen might be considered to. Why that doesn’t qualify me, I’m not sure.

Being sixteen isn’t a disadvantage – despite exams – because I have a voice, opinions which I feel might be better expressed through speech. But because the older generation has made a decision about how I ought to act, I’m being punished for the rude stereotyping, and watching as our country gets led by people who don’t deserve to be in power. By not allowing me to have my own political standing, it is going against the ideals that every person deserves a say.

I am a young person with strong enough ideals to change the world. Perhaps my standings and opinions could abolish the world’s problems. But we may never know. Because, perhaps by the time I am eighteen, my beliefs could be even more belittled, and maybe I won’t care about changing the world. Because I didn’t get the chance when I wanted to. Because someone somewhere decided that I don’t have the appropriate age to support my ideas.

It has been implied that I am too immature and too unaware of the world’s problems to change them. Although it is my belief that sixteen-year-olds should have the right to vote, because we are those who must sit by in the passing years and watch the mistakes made by those who are ‘superior’ to us. I would much rather have the right to change the world, considering that it’s not currently being saved by many of those who have the option.