The UK Is Lowering Voting Ages
On July 18, the UK announced its plans to lower the voting age to 16 years old. But not everyone agrees.
Currently, in Wales and Scotland, 16 and 17-year-olds are voting for local elections such as the Scottish Parliament or the Senedd. If you want to vote in government elections right now, you have to be at least 18 years old.
What Are People’s Responses
Teenagers are excited to hear that they can finally vote, but not all parties agree that they should vote.
The Liberal Democrats welcomed the act, saying that lowering voting ages is a “no-brainer”, but not everyone agrees with this party.
The Conservative Party was more concerned about the topic and argued that 16-year-olds can’t get married, go to war or stand at elections, let alone vote. Reform UK also disagreed with the Liberal Democrats, saying that they don’t like the idea of voting ages being lowered.
The Parliament says that this particular act will help people engage with politics and give them a better understanding. “We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy,” the deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said, welcoming the act.
But UK civilians say that 16-year-olds will be swayed into listening to adults on who to vote for, and they are too young and do not have much experience with political environments.
If this act is passed by the UK Parliament, 16 and 17-year-olds would be able to vote for the next Parliament election in 2029, unless the current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, calls for an election.