Closed petition Raise the UK's minimum voting age to 50

Closed on 6 February 2014

We call on HM Government to raise the minimum voting age in the UK to 50. We believe that:

Until one’s semi-centenary, one lacks sufficient life-experience to contribute to this country’s governance – and to extend the franchise to those with little stake in society encourages irresponsible decision-making.

There is no great desire among our juniors to vote – two-thirds of under-25s do not vote in general elections – and politicians are therefore wasting time and taxes by currying favour with them.

This measure would show the Government is serious about representing the major stakeholders in British society. (The over-50s hold seven-eighths of the country’s wealth.)

And with six million people aged between 50 and 60 in the UK – a figure growing by 800,000 a year – this proposal would receive a warm welcome from modern Britain’s biggest and most influential demographic sector.