Ref Post #33, I think the question should be why aren't ALL 16 & 17 yr olds in the whole of the UK permitted to vote? They pay taxes, can be married, join up etc etc.
And here's a question. If the majority vote in Scotland in Oct 2014 is in favour of entering into negotiations to withdraw from Great Britain, will all posters on this thread be so effusive in their commendation of democracy? Scots aren't stupid and if the vote does go the way of Independence it will be because it is the settled will of the Scottish people, just as it is now demonstrably the settled will of the Falkland Islanders to remain an overseas UK territory. What's the problem with that?