16 is too young to be given the vote in elections

He mentions being called up to do his National Service in September 1950 and opting to serve his time in the RAF. By coincidence I too was called up in the same month in the same year. I was not given any option to choose which branch of the Army I preferred, never mind which branch of the armed forces I preferred.

In my case I found myself in the infantry, and after training for 16 weeks, including the usual six weeks basic training I spent 14 months in the Korean War, most of which was in the front line.

Few, if any, had heard of Korea before being sent there. None of us national servicemen were old enough to vote, and few were really interested in politics. However, after our experiences fighting communism we did take a greater interest in why our lives were put in danger. It was only after we completed two years and had been demobbed before we were able to vote for the first time in our lives. It did however get us interested in politics, and has done ever since.

But as Mr Davies suggests that the voting age should now be lowered to allow 16 year olds to vote is probably a little too early. For while most 16 years olds are able to make calculated decisions, they can so easily be persuaded to vote a particular was by charismatic MPs.

Just look at what we were falsely promised about abolishing university fees shortly before the last General Election to persuade students to vote a particular way. They were duped by the thousands into believing it, and they were intelligent 18 year olds and not the 16 year olds Mr Davies thinks should now get a vote.

Let them live and learn a little longer before giving the responsibility of voting.

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