VOX POP VOTING

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is keen for 16-year-olds to be given the vote. Reporter KATIE GOODALL asked people in Uxbridge what they thought of the idea. Raymond Piggot, 76, Retired, Uxbridge "I don't think a young person of 16 has formulated ageneral opinion. Sixteen is a bit early. Eighteen is maturing. Twenty-one is there. I think 16 is too young because they have just left school, and their head is full of the academic and social opinions they have learned. I believe 16-year-olds are more guided by school teachers, and other authority figures." Syed Mohammoud, 24, Security Guard, Uxbridge At 15 young people do not have an opportunity to vote. Sixteen is a good age to vote because young people are mature enough, and they more intelligent because they can formulate their own opinion. At 16 people are mature enough to have an opinion of their own. At 18 most young people don't even bother voting." Jack Hare, 79, Retired, Uxbridge "In some cases it would be good, other cases they would be too young to know what they are doing. It all depends on the individual. I don't know if those youngsters are willing to vote. The majority of them won't be bothered. We vote because what happens to this country is our concern." Barbara Boasley, 63, Retired, Hillingdon I think it should stay at 18, preferably 21. Some 16-year-olds are mature and some are not. As I said before, it should stay at 18." Maureen Osborne, 60, Retired, Hayes "Not very good. Some 16-year-olds are mature and some are not. Some followm the opinions of others. The voting age should stay at 18."