The move confirmed today will deliver on Labour’s election manifesto pledge to reduce the voting age at general elections – adding over a million people to the electorate
Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be given the right to vote at the next general election, ministers will confirm today.
The historic move is the biggest electoral shake-up in decades, adding more than a million people to the electorate. Announcing the move, Keir Starmer said: ““I think that if you’re old enough to go out to work, if you’re old enough to pay your taxes, then you are entitled to have a say on how your taxes are spent.”
Under existing rules 16 and 17-year-olds are already able to cast a ballot in both local and devolved and local elections in Scotland and Wales – but not in England and Northern Ireland. The age of voting at a general election currently stands at 18 for all four corners of the UK.
Under an election strategy published today the government also plans to close loopholes on foreign donations to political parties through shell companies.
There will be more severe fines of up to £500,000 for those who breach the rules.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also said “far too many people are being deterred from voting” due to controversial Voter ID rules.
Introduced by the Tories the rules – requiring voters showing ID at the ballot box – have been blamed for people being turned away from polling stations.
While keeping the rules the government said UK-issued bank cards will become an accepted form of ID at polling stations under changes to be made as part of a promised Elections Bill.
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 sixteen year olds the right to vote.
“We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.”
Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali, added: “We are modernising our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century.
“By delivering our manifesto commitment to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change.
“By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations.”
Harry Quilter-Pinner, director of think-tank the IPPR, said: “Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy. The government has clearly heard these alarm bells. The policies announced today represent the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969, more than 50 years. “
And he continued: “At a time when public trust in politics is at a low ebb, this expansion of our democracy is a vital step toward rebuilding confidence, modernising our institutions, and pushing back against the rise of populism.”