Letters to the editor

There is a big debate in the UK this year on new laws for young people. The government is going to publish a Voting Age Report soon to decide if 16 year olds should be allowed to vote. Here are some of the views you can read in the newspapers. There is also a lot of discussion on newspaper and television websites too.

Sirs,

I ask readers to consider these facts on voting age:

• Brazil 16

• Cuba 16

• East Timor 17

• Iran 15

• North Korea 17

• Nicaragua 16

• Yugoslavia 16 if employed

• Sudan 17

So why do many people think it strange that 16 year olds in Britain want to vote?

I urge every young person to write to their MP and join the votes at 16 campaign. We have to pay tax, we can go to war for our country and we can get married. So, we should be allowed to vote on the decisions made about our jobs and our country's foreign policies!

Max Brown (Hastings)

Sirs,

Mr. Brown's lists of youngsters voting rights around the globe do little to convince me. How mature are our teenagers? I would not think it a good idea to give the vote to a group of people who mainly live with their parents and spend a great deal of time on the mobile phones and computers that were bought for them. Are these young people aware of what is happening in their own country? How much do they care? I would suggest that a constant diet of rubbish TV, computer games and music will not help them decide if the government are doing a good job. Other European countries have not lowered the voting age because they also recognize that voting in an election requires maturity. The average Western teenager just isn't mature enough and some 18 year olds aren't much better!

Belinda Thompson (London)

Sirs,

Some 16 year olds are not mature enough to have a sexual relationship. The law allows them to have one. Some 16 year olds are not ready to live by themselves but the law says they can walk out the door and live where they want. However, there are also many 16 year olds who are able to have mature relationships, manage their own home and work hard and pay taxes. Just because some of us are not mature at 16 is not a good enough reason to deny the vote to the rest. I really want to vote in the next election and I think I am informed enough to make a good decision. Please give me the vote!

Charlie, 16 (Northampton)

Exercise3. Write down your letter with your opinion.

Exercise4. Here are the main arguments put forward in the Votes at 16 Debate.

Which views support lowering the voting age?

Which views argue against a change in the law?

Tick the opinions you agree with.

Would you change the voting age?

	16 year olds in 2004 are more mature than an average 16 year old in 1967 when the voting age was decided. They have more experience of life.

	When young people are learning about politics at school it is natural for them to want to vote at the end of it.

	A move to lower the voting age is not in line with the rest of Europe. In all other European countries they can vote at 18. We shouldn't be different.

	The internet and the large number of TV channels we have now have changed the amount of information we get. Young people today see far more news and have information programmes made especially for them. They are better informed about government, the Economy and the World.

	People at 16 are still very self-absorbed and not very interested in their rights or their responsibilities. They are much more mature at 18 and ready to think about the way their country works.

Conversation Practice: Invitations.

1. How to invite others to do something (with you)

Would you like to come to a party with me on Saturday?

Do you want to

How about coming to Brighton with me tomorrow

Do you feel like afternoon?

2. How to accept an invitation:

I’d love to.

I’d like to very much.

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you (very much)

That sounds (nice/lovely/super).

That would be nice.

Of course.

With pleasure.

3. How to turn down an invitation politely:

No, thank you.

I’m afraid I can’t.

I’m (awfully) sorry but I can’t.

4. How to accept an invitation and ask for further details:

Yes, (I’d love to) but where exactly?

what time?

when exactly?

which day?

5. How to turn down an invitation but suggest an alternative time or day:

Oh, dear, I can’t (on Friday). But another time perhaps?

I’m afraid I’m busy then. Can’t you make it another day/time?

I’m sorry but I can’t (tomorrow). Does Tuesday suit you?

I’m afraid (Friday’s) a bit difficult. What about another day?

6. How to persist with an invitation to try to persuade others to change their minds:

If a person turns down your invitation, you can always persist and try to make him change his mind. Here are some phrases you can use:

Oh, come on. It should be fun/interesting.

Are you sure you can’t? I promise it’ll be fun.

Oh, surely you can! Just for me, eh?

7. How to give in to persuasion:

Oh, all right then.

very well.

as you wish.

8. how to resist persuasion politely:

No, honestly, I really can’t.

It’s really impossible.

Conversation

It is Tuesday evening. Joanna has just come home from work when the phone rings.

Joanna: Hello, 5621.

Simon: Hello, Jo. It’s me – Simon. Do you remember – from the party?

Joanna: Oh, yes, of course. Hello, Simon.

Simon: Listen, Jo, I was wondering if you were doing anything on Saturday afternoon?

Joanna: Er … Saturday?

Simon: Only, if not, would you like to come to Stratford for the day? They say “The Merchant of Venice” is really marvelous!

Joanna: Yes, I’d love to, but wait a minute – I’ll just check in my diary. (She looks through her diary.) Hello?

Simon: Yes?

Joanna: I’m awfully sorry, Simon, but my mother’s coming down from Edinburgh and I’ve promised to go shopping with her on Saturday afternoon.

Simon: Oh, that’s a pity! But can’t you go shopping another day?

Joanna: No, I’m afraid not. My mother’s only staying for a few days.

Simon: But do you really have to go with her? Can’t she go on her own?

Joanna: Well, she’s buying a coat and wants me to go along and help her choose it. I’ll have to go with her. She’s been looking forward to it for weeks.

Simon: Ah well, another time perhaps?

Joanna: Yes, fine. Look, why not the weekend after next? It’s still on then, isn’t it?

Simon: Yes, I think so. A week on Saturday, then. I’ll pick you up at about 2 o’clock. O.K.?

Joanna: Yes, lovely. Thank you. I look forward do it.