My name is Hana, and I am 14 years old. As we all know, the General Election is creating quite a lot of attention in the media. I myself have been wondering why people under 18 cannot vote.

After speaking to a few of my classmates about this, I realised that all of us had views on politics, all very varied. We all wished we could vote, so I decided write this to show that we could.

Here is my conclusion: although 18 is considered an important age and a stepping-stone into adulthood, the age of eighteen actually gives very few privileges.

In fact, at the age of sixteen, the law allows a person to leave home, give consent to medical treatment, leave school, enter full-time work, pay income tax, get married, join the armed forces, raise children, and at seventeen they are allowed to drive.

At eighteen, rights include seeing 18-rated films, buying alcohol, and betting.

Lowering the voting age will help to encourage and engage young people in politics and helping them have a say in their country’s running. After all, we are the next generation and will have a big part in future elections – so starting now would give us a taste of our future.

Voting now would force politicians to listen to us and consider issues that people over eighteen will not have to face.

I know that I am worried about paying for university, and buying my first house, and that some of my classmates are, too.

Voting now would allow the younger generation to be able to make changes and a plot a course their future, instead of feeling disconnected from society –our opinions would be valued.

Lastly, voting at a younger age would increase the voting turnout, which has fallen over the past 50 years. If you are under eighteen, consider what being able to vote sooner can do for you. It can open doors, and make life a whole lot easier for you, because you can have a voice.

If you are over eighteen, think about your children or grandchildren that will be able to mould the future in to a better one for them, being knowledgeable at a younger age.

I have often seen people in the media saying that they were not going to vote because their opinion would not make a difference, or that politicians made promises that they could not keep. If we became more involved in politics at a younger age, our views would be different. I urge you to think differently about this upcoming election, whatever age or gender.

Based on information supplied by Hana El-chamaa.