UK to Allow 16-Year-Olds to Vote 

The United Kingdom plans to lower the voting age to 16 in all British elections, a move officials say will boost public trust in democracy and align the voting age across the country, Reuters reported.  

“They’re old enough to go out to work, they’re old enough to pay taxes… and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go,” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told ITV News. 

This change is likely to receive parliamentary approval as it was part of Starmer’s election campaign last year, and his Labour party holds a large majority. 

It would also help unify the country’s voting ages: Scotland and Wales dropped the age from 18 to 16 over the past decade. 

Meanwhile, a recent poll showed that only a slim majority – 51 percent – think the voting age should be lowered to 16. However, only 18 percent of those individuals it is set to impact said they would vote if an election were held tomorrow. 

The Conservative Party, now the second largest in parliament and trailing further behind its rivals since losing power in last year’s general election, criticized the move, saying it was rushed and needed more time for discussion.  

The party also argued that allowing 16-year-olds to vote sends mixed signals: It would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to choose representatives but not run as candidates, marry or buy a lottery ticket.