Young enhance our democracy

THE research about youth disillusionment with politics in England (“Bid to boost youth vote as polling suggests widespread disillusionment”, The Herald, April 16) is a worry; they have 10 times as many potential young voters as Scotland has. That 4.3 million young voters under the age of 34 have not even bothered to register to vote is a serious threat to the functioning of our democracy at a time when the world is in a terrible place.

Lessons can be learned from Scotland, because in October 2014, we granted 16-17-year-olds the right to vote in all Scottish elections. My petition to the Scottish Parliament was taken up by the SNP and astonishinglywas in law in just six weeks. All Scottish political parties voted without any dissent.

Over 90% of 16- and 17-yearolds who could register to vote did.

In the independence referendum 94% of the new young voters took part. And they didn’t all vote for the SNP, or Scottish independence.

With as few as 45% of adults in the UK voting in all elections, it is essential for the continuance of our democracy that the next generation of young people understand just how important it is to use their votes. It is the young people of today who are going to have to sort out our mess, of climate change, poverty, homelessness, fuel costs, serious mental health, the cost of Brexit in workers and food prices and drug abuse.

Scottish democracy is enhanced Scotland because we have the Children’s Parliament and a functioning Scottish Youth Parliament which are always consulted on issues affecting children and young people. The uninhibited, can-do, creative nature of our children, will ensure that they will bring ideas and solutions that few of the politicians would have.