Back in 2012 when the referendum campaigns kicked off, one of the most hotly debated subjects was the franchise. There were debates on whether Scots living in the rest of the United Kingdom should be able to have their say and there were incredibly important arguments over the ability for our serving armed forces personnel to cast their ballots when stationed outside Scotland and the UK. But one of the key debates that was had in living rooms, workplaces and TV studios was the question of whether 16 and 17 year olds should be able to vote in this once-in-a-lifetime referendum.
I am somebody who, during my time in Labour Students, campaigned for votes at 16 and the prospect of the franchise being extended was a very exciting development in the whole referendum debate. So, now that it will be a reality, I am delighted.
However, there are those who were less excited. I have lost count of the number of times that middle-aged and older people approached me when I was out campaigning back at the start of this campaign, warning against votes at 16. Fears over young peoples’ inexperience, gullibility and lack of motivation were relayed to me by people from right across the political spectrum, from undecided, no voters and nationalists.
I always made a point to try and assuage these fears, and as this campaign has progressed this job has become easier and easier. Young people across Scotland are engaging in this debate in a way that most thought they never would.
The amount of young peoples’ debates that are taking place is staggering and the level of debate is well above many that will be heard regularly on the Scottish airwaves.
But, I will not lie to you, did a lot of people worry that young people would decide en masse to back Alex Salmond’s campaign? In short, yes.
But they were wrong.
Scotland’s youngest voters are amongst the biggest supporters of our place in the UK. At mock referendums across Scotland young people are voting to stay a strong part of the UK. At Glasgow University last year two thirds of students backed Better Together. At all the schools across Aberdeenshire council 75 per cent of pupils backed Better Together. And just last week, six high schools from across the country overwhelmingly rejected Alex Salmond’s separation campaign.
This was not what many people were expecting and there are certainly those who believe that this was not what Alex Salmond had in mind.
The level of support among young people has been reflected in our campaign. Early last year we began recruiting Better Together youth reps who have been at the forefront of our campaign. When the media ask to speak to us about young people, we have a whole raft of young people ready and willing to put forward our positive case. When it comes to grassroots organising, so many of our youth reps are heading up campaign activity in their area and winning the arguments on the doorstep. And of course in school, college, university and youth group debates and discussions our Youth Reps are convincing young Scots that we are better and stronger as part of the UK and recruiting them to our campaign.
But you might ask, what are the exact reasons that young people in Scotland are backing Better Together in such numbers? One Better Together youth rep put it better than I ever could:
It is great that young people across Scotland are engaging in the referendum debate. As young people, we have a huge stake in this decision and we must get the facts to ensure we make the right decision.
At the debate in my school last week a lot of my friends went in undecided but after listening to both sides they understood that being part of the UK means we have so many more opportunities than we would if we went it alone.
I think nationalism is a thing of the past. When we live in such an interconnected world and can speak face to face with our friends across the world at the touch of a button, why would we want to shut ourselves off from our neighbours just down the road? It is funny when you think about it, but the referendum is the only part of my life where I am being asked to think smaller.
It is not surprising that young people like me across Scotland believe our place is in the UK. It is clear we have got far more opportunities to reach our full potential as part of the UK.
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Ross MacRae is communications officer at the Better Together campaign and writes the Better Together column for Progress. He tweets @RossMacRae
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Photo: The Laird of Oldham