The British government will lower the minimum voting age from eighteen to sixteen years. The intention is that the new group of eligible voters will be able to vote in the next national elections in 2029.
The British government speaks of “the biggest change to British democracy in a generation”. According to the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it is fairer because many sixteen and seventeen-year-olds already work, pay taxes, and can join the military.
“Young people already contribute to society,” writes Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on X. “It is only right that they can have a say in matters that concern them.” Approximately 1.5 million new voters will be added, reports the BBC.
The Conservative Party is critical. “Why does the government think that a sixteen-year-old can vote, but cannot buy a lottery ticket, drink alcohol, get married, or participate in the elections for which they vote?” asks Member of Parliament Paul Holmes.
The government’s plans apply to England and Northern Ireland. In Wales and Scotland, sixteen-year-olds already have the right to vote.
Last reduction was in 1969
There are also plans to make it easier for British voters to legitimize themselves. For example, a bank card would be sufficient to enter the polling booth. In addition, there will be stricter rules for donations to politicians to prevent foreign interference.
The last time the United Kingdom lowered the voting age was in 1969. At that time, the minimum age went from 21 to eighteen years. The new reduction is not entirely unexpected: the plan was in Labour’s past election program.