Children should be accorded a vote in parliamentary elections (via their caregiver)?

On average, everyone strongly disagrees with nonconsensus between 209 voters.

Reasons To Disagree

Which gardian gets their childs vote?

We don't want to see politicians targeting children!

Depends on the definition of "children" I suppose. But no way should someone be accorded the power to vote for someone else - imagine the potential for abuse!

parents might not consult their childeren divorces? politicians promising more toys :S

Too much possibility of the caregiver voting their own opinions.

Some people might have lots of kids so they get lots of votes!

look at helen clark, our labour pm. her father was a nat where do think he would send his daughters vote. children are not their parents.

I don't really get you, but I'll assume you mean they can vote with parental consent. I'm tempted to say yes, but just one thing: Parents can be quite forceful, and if the child votes against their wishes, it could get a bit nasty.

This gives to much power to baby factories!!

I see no reason why parents should have more votes than others.

This is a terrible idea.

Thats dumb, just means the more children people have, the motre votes they get for who they want! VOTE GREEN :]

There is a fundamental problem with divorcing rights from responsibilities. The right to vote needs to be more closely related to the responsibility to contribute and pay for what is voted for, this would lessen that relationship. I'm sure my kids would think lollies should be free but unless you're the taxpayer paying for the lollies you shouldn't have that choice.

Definitely NOT!! There is already too much confusion over the "legalities/obligations" as an individual, that aren't being adhered to, let alone allowing a "child" to become involved in this process.

Would this simply reinforce the adult vote - here child, vote for the 'pinks', that's who I think should get in..... and I'll buy you an ice cream later, ok? Maybe a simplistic example, but hey, it could happen!

Why? Children don't yet have an interest in the wider community, they need time to be children and not be made to grow up too quickly. However, it might be beneficial to teach children about politics and how to find out how the agendas put forward by the various factions might affect their lives in the future

children are children what is wrong with you people

Err no.

Emphatically NO! It is a truism that young "idealists" vote Labour but, as they mature and develop reason and judgement, they vote for the right. (Not all of course - there's still a hard core who never learn anything and continue to vote left.) This kids vote idea is very simply yet another ploy by the left to rig the system to enable them to get and retain power.

parents and caregivers would just vote X amount of times more.

there little minds would be strongly influenced by current affairs not the experience of another few years.

Thats stupid

No the children will just vote what their parents tell them too. This will make the system unfair because people with children will get to vote numerous times.

What a brilliant idea, no better way for the lazy and useless to steal all the wealth of others.

Reasons To Agree

Absolutely - I am foster parent to fourteen children, I would use all their votes to get my locla National Front candidate elected.

The fights should be most entertaining!

Sure - let everyone have a vote - one vote, per year of life. a mother of 5 children might have 80 votes, and a retired couple might have 140. A newly frustrated yuppie gets 30. but don't give out votes for having DBP babies.

Yes, this would encourage those with a stake in our future to vote with the long term in mind.

There is not enough people in New Zealand to vote, and the earlier they know about it the more likely they will vote for New Zealand

Within limits I'd say From the age of 12 up seems a bit fair because when your 12, you at least are a lot more independent from your parents and are able to do things on your own will