Beth Riding writes about primary school pupils being taught to speak up for themselves (Austria lowered the voting age for young people like me, and transformed politics. The UK should do the same, 29 May). Last week, my class of 10- and 11-year-old pupils wrote letters to their potential parliamentary candidates. They chose to write about their own vision for a better society. The topics included climate change (highlighting actions that would mitigate its impact), smoking and vaping bans, our treatment of immigrants, and measures to help those on lower incomes, such as free school meals and help with buying school uniforms.
They worked out for themselves that, although they are unable to vote yet, they may be able to influence how others in their family vote. They spoke of long-term plans, recognised that spending money now saves money in the future, and showed empathy for others’ situations. They did not write of their own needs, but reflected on what benefits society most. My soul aches for a time when those in charge show this maturity of insight.
Gill Redman
Aberdeen
