16-year-olds in the UK Will Be Allowed To Vote

The UK government announced on 18th that it has plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16, as the Labour Party had promised in its manifesto before the 2024 election. Although the law has not yet gone through the legislative process, 16- and 17-year-olds are planned to be able to vote in the next general election, scheduled for 2029.

Parts of the UK, such as Wales and Scotland, already allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. Some people agree with the government that older teenagers should be able to vote throughout the UK, but others disagree.

Rushanara Ali, the minister for democracy, told the BBC, “A young person can work, they pay taxes, they join the army. There’s no reason why, from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country.”

Not everyone agrees with her, though. “Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting in?” Conservative shadow minister Paul Holmes had asked, according to the BBC.

Enforcing a new law in the UK involves multiple processes. It is required for the bill to go through both the House of Commons and Lords. This usually begins with a policy proposal from a government department, an MP, or a public consultation. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, a team of lawyers working in the government, drafts the bill.

There are three readings, with the Committee stage, a detailed examination of the second bill. The bill is then reported to the House, with further debate and amendments if needed. After the bill goes through the same process and the last reading, the last step before the implementation of the bill is to be formally approved by the Monarch. This makes it an Act of Parliament. And after that is finally the implementation.

16 and 17-year-olds will probably soon be able to vote. It may be a great decision, but it could also be a mistake.