Just because a 16-year-old child can join a political party, get a menial job, pay tax, have a family and booze themselves stupid (all of which requires not an ounce of brains) does not mean that the 16-year-old child has any form of life experience necessary to decide the future of an entire country! Just because we all live in an 'equal rights' lunatic asylum where anything goes, and at any age, does not mean that it is the right course.

The drinking, voting, driving, and the legal age at which a child can be conceived, should be raised forthwith to 21. Just because a 13-year-old can physically father a child does not mean that he is mature enough to look after it.

P Luty, Tinshill, Leeds


Sixteen year olds have enough problems to contend with. They do not need the added responsibility which voting brings. Let them enjoy a guilt-free life for a couple more years.

Diana Brazier. Kepstorn Road, Leeds

Smiling through

WHILST this country is in serious trouble and many are suffering, certain members of this government go around with a silly grin on their face. They are not even bothered that their party is nearly finished. It is due to this selfish attitude that many have turned against New Labour.

If there is yet again another unelected Prime Minister forced on the country I do not see how we can continue to call this a democracy.

MR GEOFFREY WILSON, Moortown, Leeds.

Meaning of life

SENIOR judges have overturned a whole life sentence for police killer David Bieber. The human rights lawyers (who is paying them?) argued his sentence was a cruel punishment and reduced it.

What crime does justify a life sentence? Maybe pensioners not paying council tax or overfilling bins with rubbish, feeding pigeons with bread. I'm locking myself in my house. I might get done for jay-walking.

J SHEDLOW, Moortown, Leeds.

Left in the dark

Re the letter from Coun Debra Couper (YEP, July 31).

We, the day care centre users, are fed up of not knowing when and how many centres are due to close. It states in the paper that you need to have substantial or critical needs. What are these needs? Nobody seems to be telling us, the users.

R PETERSON, Leeds.