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English voters will soon be younger - 22nd September 2025
The voting age is to be lowered in England with the goal of modernising democracy, according to a statement released by the government. It's to be dropped to 16 and is the first major change since 1969, when the voting age was reduced to 18.
Although 16 year olds have the right to vote in Scottish and Welsh elections, this step will mean that 16 and 17 year olds across the entire UK will be able to participate in all elections. One young voter in Brighton was delighted by the government's announcement.
Florence Blake: "Yeah definitely, cos I feel like when I was 16, I had the like ability to know what was going on in the world. And I wanted to be able to vote when I was 16, so, yeah."
However, this isn't yet a done deal. While the government plans to introduce the proposal to parliament this autumn, it'll need to be analysed with care by MPs before becoming law. Furthermore, several parties aren't in favour of the change.
Conservative politician Paul Holmes has described the proposal as "hopelessly confused" and the leader of Reform, Nigel Farage, similarly dislikes the idea of lowering the voting age. Supporting the Labour government, however, are the Liberal Democrats, who feel it's simply a "no-brainer". It's a view shared by this young voter.
Izzy Mudie: "A lot of young people are more like politically educated, now. And like, I had like political rage at that age, I guess. And like, I was like almost like annoyed that I couldn't vote and couldn't like express my opinion. And like, a lot of older people have different views now - than younger people - and it's like our future. It's not really their future anymore."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer believes that younger people, who can already be in employment and pay taxes, should have a say in how their contributions are actually spent. The government's planning to get the law approved before the next general election, currently expected to occur in 2029. Even if this law's enacted, 16 year olds won't be able to stand for a position in parliament themselves.
This young woman, Francesca, feels hugely relieved that young people will have their voices heard at last.
Francesca Rossi: "I think it's like a good opportunity for like younger people to be able to vote. I feel like the younger generation, like, deserves to have their voices heard."
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