London [UK], July 18: The next British general election will see 16-year-olds able to vote for the first time, ministers have confirmed in wide-ranging plans to modernize the UK's democracy.
The ruling Labour party's manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections. But plans announced on Thursday go further in an effort to increase participation in elections.
Ministers have proposed introducing automated voter registration, which is already used in Australia and Canada, and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said "far too many people" had been put off voting by the voter ID rules introduced by the previous government, with the Electoral Commission finding around 750,000 people did not vote due to a lack of ID.
The government has already made the Veteran Card an accepted form of voter ID, and intends to allow digital forms of ID to be used when they become available.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote." Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was "important" to lower the voting age, as 16-year-olds were old enough to work and "pay in" through tax, so should "have the opportunity" to say how they wanted their money spent. But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted for ITV News by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18% would definitely vote.
Labour stood to gain the most, with 33% saying they would back the party, while 20% said they would choose Reform UK and 18% the Greens.
Naomi Smith, chief executive of campaign group Best for Britain, said the change was "a brave choice set to benefit generations to come," and urged political parties to "do more to win the votes of the UK's young people." But in the House of Commons, Conservative shadow communities minister Paul Holmes accused the government of being "hopelessly confused" about the age of majority. He said: "Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?" Thursday's plans will also see a tightening of the rules on campaign finance aimed at barring "shell companies" from donating to political parties and requiring more checks on donations to unincorporated associations. The Electoral Commission will be given the power to levy £500,000 ($670,000) fines on those who break the new rules on donations.
Source: Qatar Tribune
