The UK government is poised to introduce a groundbreaking reform that will grant voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds in England at the upcoming general election. This change is expected to enfranchise over a million new voters, marking one of the most significant shifts in the electoral landscape in recent years.
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer spoke to ITV News about the decision, emphasizing the fairness of the move: “I think it’s really important that 16 and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they’re old enough to go out to work, they’re old enough to pay taxes… I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on.”
Currently, the voting age is set at 18 for UK general elections, although 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to vote in local elections in Scotland and Wales. This proposed reform reflects Labour’s commitment to revitalizing British democracy, as outlined in their recent general election manifesto.
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Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner highlighted the broader goals behind the change: “For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. We are breaking down barriers to participation to ensure more people engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change and fulfilling our manifesto commitments.”
Alongside extending voting rights to younger citizens, the government plans to tighten regulations around political party donations by closing loopholes that let foreign money influence UK politics through shell companies. New penalties of up to £500,000 aim to enforce these rules strictly.
Additionally, in an effort to boost voter turnout, the government will expand acceptable forms of identification at polling stations. UK-issued bank cards and veterans’ ID cards will be accepted, addressing concerns that current voter ID requirements discourage participation.
This suite of measures signals a comprehensive approach to restoring faith and participation in the democratic process, ensuring that future elections reflect a broader, more inclusive electorate.