UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform

LONDON - The British government said on July 17 it planned to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections, in a major overhaul of the country’s democratic system.

The government said the proposed changes, which are subject to parliamentary approvals, would align voting rights across the UK with those in Scotland and Wales, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections.

“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said in a statement.

Turnout at the 2024 general election was 59.7 per cent, the lowest at a general election since 2001, according to a parliamentary report.

According to the House of Commons library, research from countries that lowered the voting age to 16 shows it had no impact on election outcomes, and 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18.

Labour, whose popularity has fallen sharply in government after being

elected by a landslide in 2024

, had said it would lower the voting age if elected.

The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards. To tackle foreign interference, the government said it planned to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions of more than £500 (S$861) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies. REUTERS