The minimum age for doing everything from marrying, to buying cigarettes, or standing for Parliament should be higher than now, according to a poll for The Times.

The Populus poll shows remarkable unanimity between the genders, across social and political groups and even across the generations, that the various ages of majority should be increased.

There are only minor age variations. The difference in view on the age of majority is only about two years on average between 18 to 24-year-olds and those aged over 65. The only exception to this “better older” trend is the age of voting, where a majority of the public agrees with the current minimum of 18, with just a fifth saying that it should be higher.

However, voters not only oppose any reduction in the minimum age of standing for Parliament from 21 (down to 18, as backed by the Liberal Democrats and others) but they also favour an increase to 23.

The over-65s support a rise in the minimum age for becoming an MP to 25, which would have prevented William Pitt the Younger from becoming Prime Minister when he was only 24. Voters want the minimum age for getting married to be raised from 16 (with parental consent, or 18 without it) to 19. More than a quarter think that marriage should be legal only at 19 or older.

The Armed Forces recruit from 16 upwards, though soldiers generally do not go into combat until they are 18. The poll suggests that the minimum age for joining the Armed Forces should be raised to 18.

Teenagers would also have to put off their legal pursuit of pleasures such as smoking and drinking if public opinion ruled the day. The Government has been discussing an increase in the legal age for buying cigarettes from 16 to 18, but the public would favour 19, with more than a quarter saying 21-plus.

For drinking, the public wants an increase from 18 to 19, with nearly two fifths saying 21 or older. At present teenagers can take a driving test and get a licence when they are 17, but voters favour 19. A fifth say that people should be able to drive legally only at 21 or older. You now have to be 18 to buy fireworks, but half of those interviewed want a rise, to an average of 20. Age is only one of the conditions for being able to buy a gun, but airguns can, at present, be purchased from those aged 17. Voters, however, favour a minimum age of 24 for buying guns.

One in six would set a legal minimum age of more than 30, but 30 per cent say that they “don’t know”.

People have to be at least 21 before they can adopt a child, and only then if they fulfil certain conditions. Voters favour a 23 starting age for adoption. However, the average age for parents adopting children is 38.

For more details go to www.populuslimited.com

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