The government plans to lower the voting age to 16 by the next general election under a new Elections Bill.
16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland and Wales could already vote in local and parliamentary elections before this bill.
The last significant change to the voting age in the UK was lowering the age from 21 to 18 in 1969.
The Labour party pledged to lower the voting age to 16 in their manifesto before last year’s general election.
The plans also include changes to photo ID and foreign donations.
Under the new changes, UK-issued credit and debit cards will become valid ID at polling stations, alongside the currently accepted passports, driver’s licences, PASS cards, eVisas and Concessionary Travel Cards.
Different sides of the government have shown their support or opposition to the change.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner cited becoming a mother at 16 as a reason to lower the minimum age: “You can go to work, pay your taxes and I think that people should have a vote at 16.”
Former Conservative foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “The cynicism is breathtaking. Labour dropped it from the King’s speech after getting a big majority without it. Now they’re tanking in the polls, they announce it again.”
16 and 17-year-olds have been reported to make up 3 per cent of the population, causing some to think that the change would have little impact.
As for foreign donors, political parties would have to assess the companies that donate to them. Previously, foreign companies or donors could donate to political parties through a UK-based branch.
Elon Musk could have made a donation to Reform UK through the UK branch of “X”.
Companies will now need to make sufficient money in the UK or Ireland to be eligible to donate.
Featured image credit: Pexels
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
