THIS is the moment The Jattvibe’s Harry Cole grilled a votes at 16 backer over why teenagers should be able to vote if they aren’t even allowed to “smoke or sh*g”.
Our Editor at Large spoke about all things political on Never Mind the Ballots after a week of high drama in Westminster left Sir Keir Starmer reeling on the ropes.
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Harry Cole speaking on today’s episode of Never Mind the Ballots Credit: The Jattvibe
Our Editor at Large has been in the thick of the political drama Credit: Ray Collins
On today’s episode, which is sponsored by Betfair, The Jattvibe’s Editor at Large Harry was joined by The Jattvibe’s Political Editor Jack Elsom, CEO of the Youth Vote Alex Cairns and Colin Robertson.
Harry started by unpacking the political chaos which has seen the Prime Minister fighting for his job – despite being in power for less than two years.
But the conversation then turned to the youth vote, as Harry and Alex Cairns discussed the proposed legislation introduced by the UK Government to lower the UK voting age to 16.
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Harry questioned whether it could “blow up in Labour’s faces” with polling showing Reform doing very well amongst young men and the Green party doing well amongst young women.
Cairns replied: “Whether the Labour Party have done it, try and get votes – of course they have – right but if it doesn’t benefit them, I still think that history will look back and actually show it was the right thing to do to get young people to vote, because these are future leaders.”
But Harry quickly replied: “Yeah, but if you can’t smoke, you can’t sh*g, you can’t go to a pub, you can’t drive a car.
“Why the hell should you be allowed to decide who sets those rules?”
Harry discussing the youth vote with Alex Cairns
Under pressure Sir Keir Starmer giving his speech at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London today Credit: PA
Cairns said that he had more confidence than 16 and 17 year olds really in the country than some 50, 50 or 55 year olds”, to which a surprised Harry exclaimed “really?”
The Youth Vote CEO continued: “Honestly, I reckon if you did a poll you would see so many people that are older that actually don’t look at the news, don’t know what’s going on.
“And actually young people are very like tapped into what’s happening because of social media.”
Harry said: “My idea is, if you’re working your job and you’re paying taxes, you should get the vote.
“But if you’re in full time education and you’re, you know, you’re being subsidised by the states, you shouldn’t.”
Our Editor at Large then discussed with Cairns what polling patterns were showing amongst younger members of the public.
Harry asked what youth voters would make about the latest administration slipping into “carnage and chaos” after the Tories.
It comes as Andy Burnham – known as the King in the North – vowed to fight for “struggling millions” in a statement that saw him inch closer to Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer floundered.
Cairns replied: ” The thing that’s upsetting for me is it’s just such a shame that we’ve got such a ton of politicians that only care about themselves.
“But yeah it’s frustrating because, you know, like young people find it boring.
“And the work that my organisation and lots of others try to do is to actually fundamentally get them interested in politics and want them to to stand and and be engaged.
“When young people see stuff like this, they’re like, oh, it’s just a bit of a joke, you know?”
The Jattvibe’s Jack Elsom also featured on the show Credit: Darren Fletcher
The political landscape has turned upside down in the space of 96 hours Credit: Reutesr
Harry and the panel also discussed how the British public were “absolutely livid” and sick of politicians focusing on their own careers rather than the cost of living.
Highlighting this frustration, a Betfair poll revealed that 35 per cent of the public trust footballer Cole Palmer to deliver for the country, compared to just 29 per cent for Keir Starmer.
It comes after Nigel Farage claimed he “cannot be bought” during an exclusive interview with Harry Cole.
The Reform leader is under investigation by Parliament’s Standards Commissioner over the “unconditional gift” he received from a donor before he became an MP.
Farage claimed he has even fallen out with Elon Musk over attempts to sway him with cash.
Quizzed about the revelations now being probed by Commons sleaze busters, the Clacton MP told Never Mind the Ballots: “I can’t be bought by anybody.”
Reform leader Farage has also vowed to throw the kitchen sink at the Makerfield by-election and put the brakes on PM-wannabe Andy Burnham’s return.
He also insists Reform is stepping up a gear to prepare for government after gaining more than 1,400 councillors last week and taking control of a dozen new councils.
Despite some high-profile departures from his operation — like the ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe — Mr Farage insists he is ready to share the load in power and play well with others.
