Sixteen-year-olds can shoulder many adult responsibilities – but casting a vote hasn’t been one of them. That’s changing fast, and according to Mirror readers, it’s about time.
Sixteen-year-olds can work, pay taxes, and even join the army with parental consent. But when it came to voting they had to be 18 – at least until now.
Last week it was announced the voting age will be lowered to 16 – a move that will add around 1.5 million more people to the electoral roll. It marks the most significant change to eligibility since 1969, when the voting age was dropped from 21 to 18.
And we wanted to know how you felt about it.
It’s a debate that’s rumbled on for a while. Supporters say young people are informed, passionate, and already pretty clued-up when it comes to politics, while opponents argue they’re not mature enough or lack the life experience to make big choices at the ballot box.
We asked Should 16 and 17-year-olds be allowed to vote? A whopping 83 per cent said yes they should, while just 17 per cent opposed it.
Many of you commented on our story, here’s just a sample of what some of you had to say:
Duncan1992 said: “Of course 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote. This new generation is the most politically aware of all time. It’s a no brainer.”
Scary times: “About time they lowered the age!”
Thameship posted: “The last thing on my mind at 16 was politics.”
Clippie: “Age 18 is about right. At age 16 children have far too many changes to cope with and wouldn’t be mature enough to disregard the inevitable targeting by influencers.”
Astianax: “It won’t do anything better to reduce the age of voting from 18 down to 17 or 16. Most lads are totally immature until 25. Better to keep it at 18 years old minimum.”
Notlob69: “I remember before voting was lowered to 18 – the same arguments for not doing it were given then. Give them the vote, but teach them about voting at school.”
Xlisax: “Yes I do. But most of them won’t probably – unless they are interested in politics.”
Mertin: “I don’t think 16 is old enough to vote.”
‘Really important 16 and 17-year-olds have the vote’
Announcing the move, Keir Starmer told ITV News: “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.”
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.”
She said ministers are “taking action to break down barriers to participation”. Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali described it as a “generational step forward”, while the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added, “far too many people are being deterred from voting” due to controversial Voter ID rules.
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.
Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns said: “On this one, Labour have got it right. Giving 16 and 17-year-olds the vote is a long-overdue step towards a stronger, more inclusive democracy. Young people have powerful voices and a vital stake in decisions about their future – it’s only right that they have a say at the ballot box.”
However, other politicians have slammed the changes, accusing the PM of trying to “rig future elections”, reported the Independent. The shake-up came after an ITV News poll revealed that nearly 50 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds don’t believe they should be allowed to vote.
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