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The Big Borough Debate

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Wigan Borough’s young people are to have their say about whether the UK legal voting age should be reduced to 16.

Seven secondary schools, two colleges and Wigan Youth Zone all researched into one side of the argument to prepare for last night’s debate in Wigan town hall’s chamber.

A video of the evening will be shown in all high schools and colleges across the borough so students can vote over the next couple of weeks for the side they agree with.

The result will be fed back to Wigan Borough’s Youth Cabinet who are due in the House of Commons next month to discuss the most important topics to young people from the borough with other budding politicians from across the country.

Alan Lindsay, assistant director of education at Wigan Council who opened the debate last night said: “I was really impressed by the young people and the passion that came through during the debate.

“Both sides of the debate gave really compelling arguments both for and against the lowering of the voting age and I will be really interested to see which way the vote goes in the next couple of weeks.”

The debate was chaired from Lewis Evans, 18, from Springfield who is a member of Wigan Borough’s Youth Cabinet. He said: “The debate was really interesting; the people taking part were respectful of what others had to say even if they didn’t necessarily agree.

“I have been part of Youth Cabinet for two years now and I think practising debates like this can really help us in real life situations, not just in politics.”

The young people covered a number of subjects throughout the debate to help them illustrate their points, including Brexit, school curriculums, brain development even Father Christmas and more.

Harrison Booth, 13 from Hindley High was on the ‘for’ side of the debate. He said: “I believe 16-year-olds should be able to vote because we can give fresh ideas towards our future.

“I have enjoyed having a say tonight because my voice can actually influence other young people.”

Louise Leech, 14 from Bedford High School was standing for the ‘against’ side of the debate, however, she actually feels that 16-year-olds should have the vote. She said: “This debate has been a great chance for us to express our opinions. It proves that if young people in schools don’t feel like they can express themselves, at least here they can.

“Of course, it is easier to debate something I am passionate about but there are two sides of an argument and I have learned that both sides are valid by doing this.”

If you’d like to watch the debate, the video will be available for viewing on Wigan Council’s YouTube channel and website soon.

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