Compston: Give kids vote
Published 2 Feb 2012 15:00
2 Comments
A FAMOUS Greenock actor has thrown his weight behind a campaign to give 16 and 17-year-olds a vote on Scotland's future.
Former Morton player and lead star of Sweet Sixteen, Martin Compston, inset, is backing the move ahead of the planned independence referendum in 2014.
Martin, who shot to fame as a 17-year-old in the hit film and is currently filming with James McAvoy, says many young people aged 16 and 17 pay tax and deserve a say.
He said: "I, like a huge number of teenagers, was paying tax by the age of 17.
"If you are allowed to contribute to the country's coffers you should be able to have a say of who is in charge of spending it.
"If you are allowed to join the Army and fight you should have the right to have a say in who decides to send you there.
"Our country's future are these young adults - they should have the right to help decide which way we go forward."
The screen star said he would also be backing the 'Yes' camp in the referendum.
He added: "Scottish independence is about democracy and a country taking care of its own affairs."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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gran61
63 posts
Feb 2, 15:02
Report commentYes they should be given the right to decide our future.
Recommend?
Yes 9
No 10
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RABCARSWELL
74 posts
Feb 2, 17:24
Report commentMartin makes some very valid points on this important issue eg no taxation without representation.
I have no doubt that sixteen and seventeen year olds should be given the opportunity to express their view on independence via the ballot box. Like the over eighteens who aready have the right to vote there will be those in the lower age group who will be either for,against,don't care (ie won't vote),or want to know more about how independence might affect their lives.
So yes,the voting age should be extended to allow the lower age group to make their mark on a subject which will so obviously affect their future for better or for worse.
We know what the SNP's view is on this issue but where do the Lib Dems,Tories and Labour parties stand? Perhaps their local reps would care to let us know what their party's line is and maybe,just for once,what their own views are.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 6
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