Right. So. I've not really commented on Scottish Independence since the whole political began and now it's racing towards its finish it seems I'm jumping on a rather large bandwagon. And reason I've not wanted to say anything on the matter is because I'm not as smart as anyone thinks I am and really am not qualified to talk about it. But what I am going to talk about is a really interesting point about this whole referendum vote and how it's helped the race be neck and neck:
16 Year Olds get to vote.
I know what you're thinking. "I don't care about politics," says the average teenager. But in a country where you have no tuition fees in rather excellent Universities why the hell aren't you going to support the Government and leadership that helped you with that. Scotland has managed to jump onto some rather untapped potential: young people. Most of us can't vote and, by the time we're 18, have been completely jaded. I know this because I'm nearly 18 and while I'm ecstatic to be a member of the electorate, I know most of my friends are not as enthusiastic.
This vote is proof of the power of the people and power of the vote. Scottish young people have been politically enticed by governments' promises that have been kept. If you started to offer services for tomorrow's generation as a government, you could most definitely gain a new base in a matter of months. An issue I see frequently come up amongst young people in my constituency and its neighbouring constituency (which would be Gwynedd) is how public transport is hugely expensive for a place where jobs are scarce and rather remote rural country side surrounds us.
If as an MP you managed to change the buses and/or trains to make them more financially viable for teenagers then you'd have a huge block of undecided voters early. Having the vote by 16, the age where socially you begin to start venturing outwards more & more, it'd be an amazing way to grab their attention. I want politics lessons in our schools nationally, to give foundations as to what we're signing up to but I know that's a longer battle/debate. So you would grab a load of kids who weren't taking in your party-bias or complete ideological bias. You'd take kids who would be appreciative of your services to your represented area(s).
Democracy is a covenant between a Government and its people. Every few years, we get to interview who rules our laws and we enter a voting booth with one of the greatest powers we're given as a free people. Scotland may be defecting from its neighbouring countries because that power is taken very seriously as a responsibility for young people to take on board. And right now it's made history by kids getting told they have a voice that they must use themselves. If this covenant is not upheld, our leaders win by microscopic majorities. And that is how corruption is created.
So, remember the power you have in a vote; it's the only one we're ever given. And Scotland having 51% yes in some polls is an example of that.
