Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Good.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Good ? You must know a different set of 16/17 year olds to me. :erm:

I note they will be able to vote for someone else, but not stand for election themselves, makes perfect sense. :rolleyes:

They also wont be able to do some of the things they are voting for policies on.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

What's the worse that could happen, after all they will only vote according to which way the wind is blowing that particular day :D

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Reform, Libdems .... or even Greens (Shudder) get elected.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Oh a whole load of liberating will be going on for sure.

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Why do we keep getting these radical changes without debate?

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If they pay tax then they should be able to vote like other countries.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

That's a good point. I paid bloody tax from 16. Where was my vote!

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There’s a cynical part of me that wonder if that’s exactly why the age has been lowered in an attempt to keep reform out at the next election. (More than likely it’s to bring us into line with Scotland and wales I think?)

Be interesting to see voting intentions for 16 & 17 year olds

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

For the majority the intention will be to not do it ;)

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Not reform or Tory judging by a you gov poll. 11% for, 83% against the age reduction for both of those parties surveyed

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Fair enough. They'll be voting for a Govt for the next 5 years, taking them to 21, the most important years of their life. Why should the old non productive has beens decide their future.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Children can be liable for tax before 16. Most countries around the world still have a voting age of 18.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

What ID will they have to use, they wont have a driving licence at 16 (or many at 17 either), and I suspect the majority wont have passports.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

now now don't talk yourself down you're not completely useless

---------- Post added at 18:19 ---------- Previous post was at 18:18 ----------

Bank card is what i read this morning

Bank cards allowed as voter ID

As part of the strategy, voter ID will also be extended to include UK-issued bank cards.

Mr Holmes raised concerns using bank cards for ID will "undermine the security of the ballot box".

https://news.sky.com/story/16-and-17...ction-13397859

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Nah. Mr Holmes is worried it will allow youngsters to vote for someone else.

It was I'm their manifesto, so Labour have a mandate. Granted, it is unusual for parties to actually do what they promised.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

i thought they could use Pokemon cards but no one listens to me

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

You can get bank cards at less than 16, all my kids had one.

Seems like they finally realised that ID was a bad idea, and are watering it down to the point its ... well pointless.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

you could send one of the kids to vote on your behalf using a card as id , just make sure they don't pass a toy shop on the way

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Proxy vote

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/votin...r-someone-else

My dads brother voted for my dad while he was out the country working. I wasn't aware of proxy votes so refrained only to get a bollocking :(

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Yup. Actually this change and that people will now be automatically registered to vote are the bigger changes from this bill IMO.

As for 16/17 year olds voting, I am fine with it. I think you need a good reason not to enfranchise people and 16 is probably as early as we can give the vote.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Only 10 countries in the world have voting at 16. Not exactly widespread.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

We're trend setters. Well done the UK.

The young are the future. Trying to pick rhe crap hand they've been dealt. God help them.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Up there with the likes of Cuba and Nicaragua?

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Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

I remember the kerfuffle about the lowering of voting age to 18. Now we all accept it without a second thought.Speaking as a teacher I think 16 is the lowest age that can be applied to voting. Younger than that it will become problematic.

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Kids aren’t socialist, they’re contrarian and reactionary. Labour better hope this doesn’t bite them on the bum - when the kidz come to cast a ballot, Labour will be the establishment.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

At least the next generation will own it, rather than given it, without a choice.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Ok, quick reality check - its only 2 years between 16 & 18, and general elections tend to be every 4 or 5 years, so the majority will see no difference.

Even council elections are every 2/3 or 4 years (depending on how they choose to run them).

They will also have to be registered to vote (how many do you think will bother, they'll still be at school).

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

But the young socialists WILL bother. Starmer joined the Labour party at 16.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

It won't change much, the demographic is too small, and less likely to be engaged. I also think they won't vote for Labour in the volumes people expect.

---------- Post added at 07:17 ---------- Previous post was at 07:16 ----------

Then good for them. If it causes people to become politically aware earlier, it's a good thing.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If they vote Labour at all...which I doubt.

And I still want the introduction of 'None Of The Above'!

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Only needed if voting is compulsory, which it is in Australia, and its an option on the ballot paper there.

'None of the above' here - either don't vote or stand for election yourself.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

I would still not vote and face the consequences.

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Riddle me this Seph, we have compulsoy voying introduced. How is it policed? Do people just have to turn up at the polling station, have their name ticked off on the electoral role as having attended?
Do they have to vote or can they destroy their ballot by whatever means?
How can someone check if a secret ballot has resulted in a vote?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Look at Australia. You get a fine. Doesn't matter if submit a blank vote or spoil the ballot, as long you return it.

I favour compulsory voting too. But it'll never happen in this country. We're too apathetic and object to anything that involves getting out of bed.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Why ?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

wot vote labour :shocked:

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

The right to vote right to not vote seems a bit woke with regards to compulsory voting.

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Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Silly people getting offended by a vote.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

So expect the Green party to get in and petrol and diesel engines to be banned, then probably tax aviation out of the UK.


Yet another big mistake by labour

.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

I’m not against young people engaging in politics, but giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote in general elections raises some valid concerns. At that age, the brain is still developing, particularly the areas tied to long-term decision-making, impulse control, and critical thinking. While many teens are bright and well-meaning, the ability to fully grasp complex national issues and weigh their consequences is still maturing. This isn’t about intelligence, it;s about neurological readiness.

There’s also the inconsistency of rights. At 16, you can’t drink, smoke, or be fully held accountable in the legal system, but you’d be allowed to help decide the country’s future? That contradiction muddles what it means to be a responsible adult citizen. Add to that the fact that many teens are highly susceptible to external influence, from social media, school environments, and even parents, and it becomes harder to argue that the average 16 year old is making a truly independent, informed choice. We could end up with a government based around narrow opinions fed via TikTok, which is a scary thought. These feeds are not officially composed messages on political agenda, these are often the uninformed, unverified opinons of other 16 and 17 year olds.

If society wants to lower the voting age, it should come with stronger civic education and clearer alignment of legal responsibilities. Until then, keeping the voting age at 18 seems like the more balanced and coherent approach. Let;s not confuse early enthusiasm with long-term political maturity.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Letting the planet die might be a bigger mistake. Guess the young might care about that a bit more than the selfish older generations.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Perhaps much the same might be said about those who voted in all kinds of national things.

Clearly, intelligence does not necessarily begin at 18. We allow adults with legitimate mental issues/impairment the vote. Some 16 year olds are mature and rational-thinking. Some 43-year-olds are seriously immature and lack cognitive skills.

As has been said, if you pay taxes, then you ought to have a say in where you think those taxes go.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If taxes were the only thing their vote counted towards, I'd entirely agree. However, its not.

While I dont agree with it, lets also just remember to get it in perspective.
Only about 3.5% of the possible voters are 16/17, and they will not all vote.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If you pay tax on your earnings you ought to be able to have a say on how you think it should be spent.

It’s as easy as that.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

You raise a fair point and I completely agree that age doesn't automatically determine intelligence or capability. There are absolutely mature 16 year olds out there, just as there are adults who make consistently poor decisons. My argument isn't about excluding anyone based on intelligence, but about where we draw the baseline for civic (for want of a better word) readiness in a system that needs to be consistent, scalable, and protected from negative influence.

We already accept that certain adult rights (like buying alcohol or serving on a jury) have age restrictions because they require a degree of judgment, emotional regulation / intelligence, and responsibility that typically develops over time. The ability to vote in general elections, with all its long term national impact, seems to fall into that same category, does it not?

As for paying taxes, I get the logic. 'No taxation without representation' is a powerful principle. But I'd argue that a 16year old working part-time and paying a small amount in tax isn;t quite the same as managing a household, paying national insurance, or running a business. If we were to lower the voting age based on tax contribution alone, we'd also need to define what level of contribution grants that right, which opens up a different kind of inequality.

I’m definitely open to the idea of change if it’s paired with comprehensive civic education and a clearer alignment of legal responsibilities across the board. But until then, I still think 18 strikes the best current balance between inclusion and long-term national consequence. If we could get away with it, I'd almost suggest increasing that age. We know the brain and it's cognitive functions are not fully formed until the mid 20s, whcih gives that train of thought a fair arguement, I think.

---------- Post added at 16:42 ---------- Previous post was at 16:40 ----------

I just don't agree it is that simple. There are so many complexities involved that it cannot be that black and white.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

We’re constantly being told that Britain needs change. This is change.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Absolutely. But does any kind of change consitute good change, or the right change? Just because we can does not mean we should.

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Any kind of change has been suggested plenty of times of late. It should follow that just about everyone should be in favour of this.

I don’t see why people are getting their tits in a twist over this. As has previously been said, it won’t add that many to the electorate numbers.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

In your opinion, what are the benefits and strengths of allowing 16 years olds to vote on the direction of the nation in a general election?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Ah change, but only your change?

The Tories tried a bit of gerrymandering before the last election altering boundaries to favour themselves. Didn't work and this change may not work in Labours favour.
Getting more people to vote is surely good.

As for young minds still developing/being immature, you could say over 60's minds are declining - should they be refused a vote? Some pensioners pay little or no tax, should they also be barred from voting?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

The only 16 year old I can speak about with any authority is my 22 year old daughter when she was that age.

She and her group of friends were very politically aware. Having recently graduated from uni she’s not paid any income tax but she told me she wished she could vote at that age to help build her plan for the future (ie now) when she’s completed education and where life takes her and how the world is shaped ahead of her.

Being able to have a say in how you want your future to roll out is just one very good reason for this new change.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

This is a great point. Why do you suppose this was not brought into the equation when the government decided to reduce the voting age to 16?

---------- Post added at 17:18 ---------- Previous post was at 17:10 ----------

It sounds like your daughter is thoughtful and engaged, and that’s genuinely encouraging to hear. I don’t doubt there are 16 year olds out there who take a deep interest in politics and care about their future. That's a good thing.

That said, I think the challenge here isn’t about individual exceptions, but about setting a fair and consistent baseline for the whole population. Just as your daughter might have been ahead of the curve at 16, many others may still be developing the critical thinking skills, emotional regulation, and independence needed to make major civic decisions. Two years may not seem like much on paper, and you have made a good case that in terms of voting volume, the addition might seem negligable.

But developmentally, especially in adolescence, those two years can be significant. It;s not about undermining anyone’s intelligence or good intentions, but recognising that cognitive maturity plays a key role in how we interpret complex matters. In this case, policital, envirnmental and financial futures for everyone will be determined by these votes.

Ultimately, it’s about designing a system that works for the majority, not the outliers, and making sure that when we entrust someone with shaping national outcomes, they’re doing so from a position of relative autonomy, understanding, and resilience against outside influence. I’d argue that 18 still best represents that balance… for now.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

At 16 we don’t allow people to take control of a potential killing machine.

The following year they are then allowed to take control of the potential killing machine.

Some are ready for that responsibility, some are not.

Giving them the vote is just bring more of life in to line with things like these.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

At 16 you can become a killing machine, trained to do so.


As it happens I am totally fine in giving 16yr olds the the vote.

I laugh at those that think 16yr olds will be predisposed to vote Labour. If they vote at all, there is no evidence they will vote that way, and as we favour immigrants over them, they’ll probably vote for their own interests.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

As a retired secondary school teacher I am in favour of giving 16 year olds the vote because in my experience they are no worse at picking whom to vote for than a 70/80/90/100 year old. Any younger I think they should be able to continue to have a childhood of sorts.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If they're responsible, mature and capable enough of then even more reason to lob them the vote.

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They’re capable of making decisions about their futures.

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Are 16 years old considered adults if they get arrested by the police?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Their future ?
Take the 16 year old I know (a distant relation via in-laws).
I asked them what work they plan to look for when they leave school.
Answer: "None, I'll just live off benefits".

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Phew! I had worried they might say influencer! :D

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

As a qualified educator of the 11-18 age group I disagree with your generalisation.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If Reform had their way, teenagers would be running the country!

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other...6cddc5e7&ei=28

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

From the Times…

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...1&d=1753192596

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

They have to make decisions about their future examinations and careers and what direction they have to take to achieve their aims. Why do you think that I'm not capable as a retired secondary teacher in making this judgement? Many 16 year olds are more than capable of making decisions about their future. Indeed not every 16 year old have parents to aid in their decisions. You obviously need to get out and actually meet some 16 year olds.:rolleyes:

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Respectfully, appealing to one’s position as a “qualified educator” does not, in itself, negate a generalisation, nor does it automatically provide a counterpoint grounded in fact. Authority is not a substitute fo argument. While educators may have valuable insight, experience alone does not invalidate the broader psychological and neurological consensus around adolescent cognitive developmnt

Developmental psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural studies consistently show that the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for executive function, impulse control, and long-term planning) is still developing well into the mid 20s. This is why 16 year olds, despite being capable of moments of maturity, often struggle with complex risk assessment, susceptibility to peer influence, and longer-term consequence evaluation. A reason why car insurance for young adults even into mid 20s can cost a considerable amount more, even if a 23 year old has been driving longer than a 33 year old. This isn’t a moral judgement, it’s a biological reality, one supported by findings from organisations like the American Psychological Association and echoed in UK government guidelines on youth sentencing and safeguarding, as has already been touched on in this thread.

This doesn’t mean young people lack value, voice, or intelligence. But being “capable of expressing opinions” is not the same as being developmentally ready to make far reaching societal decisions. If we extend the logic of using personal experience to rebut scientific generalisations, then every teacher, parent, or youth worker who has seen the opposite must also be equally valid, and that renders the argument circular. A nuanced conversation about capability should be based on data, psychology, and long-term civic impact, not solely on anecdotal exceptions.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

It's voting not rocket science, how complex is deciding to vote for the party that bebefits your interests best, how much maturity is required for that?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Is this guy up for voting standards ?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

The idea that voting is simply a matter of picking the party that benefits you most overlooks the very essence of responsible voting. Mature voting isn;t just self-interest, it involves understanding complex trade offs, evaluating long term national outcomes, understanding the differences between policy and populism, and resisting emotional or peer-driven influence, which considering the social media hold on young people, isn’t something 16 year olds are good at. These require critical thinking, impulse control, and cognitive maturity, which are still forming in adolescents. If voting truly were that simple, we wouldn’t see widespread manipulation of adult voters through emotional appeals, misinformation, and tribalism.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

seeing as how a significant % of the adult population failed to take that into consideration nearly nine years ago…..

Rephrasing that, most of the adult population vote for what will they will believe will immediately benefit them and their loved ones/family. On that basis 0 reason to not give 16/17 year olds the ability to vote

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

If you look at the state of the world, the 'grown-ups' have done a pretty crappy job at electing the governments we've got, so why not give 16 and 17 year olds a go?

Also, the day before my 18th birthday I felt no different to how I did the next day on my 18th birthday, so I find it quite insulting to be told I wasn't mature enough to vote. My poor mother-in-law has dementia and is still able to vote, she hasn't got a clue what day it is unlike most 16 and 17 year olds.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Hmmm… What’s interesting is that both of your points actually strengthen the argument that a minimum threshold of maturity and cognitive development should matter in voting. By highlighting how many adults vote emotionally, short-term, or without informed judgment, you’re agreeing, perhaps unknowingly, that this is a problem, not a justification to expand the age range to even less cognitively mature voters. Saying “adults don’t always get it right” doesn’t mean we should add more impulsive decision makers to the process. it suggests we should raise the standard, not lower it.

And while emotional milestones like birthdays may feel arbitrary, legal systems use age thresholds precisely because brain development doesn’t change overnight but it does change significantly across adolescence. Comparing someone with late-stage dementia to a teenager doesn’t prove capability, it simply underscores why maturity and mental competence should be essential for voting, regardless of age.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Thats a non argument, you could apply it to any cut-off age, for anything.

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*waves*

It's just my personal opinion, but I'm convinced 80% of 16 to 18 years olds are quite happily grazing on the fodder in the rich fields of TikTok, Facebook, Messenger etc etc.
I also believe 80% of adults graze there too, with an extra feeding trough of ingredients supplied by a myriad of experts and celebrities with nice bright smiles and convincing tales of Utopian pastures to come.
Alas they suddenly (far too late) realize that what they've been digesting for years isn't the food required for an understanding of what has been quietly taking place outside of the field.

Of course there are the occasional 'black sheep' that don't swallow everything fed to them, but usually they are the first to be slaughtered and held up as an example of what may happen if you don't follow the herd without question.

Voting? what's it ever achieved for the masses?

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

why would you think the majority of people wouldn't have passports at that age??

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

They can't marry, buy cigarettes, can't fight in the armed forces, buy a alcoholic drink. Or for that matter see a 18 rated film . What a strange plan

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

The voting age should be raised to 21, I mean below that age they no nothing about the real world.


We would end up with the green party in and all petrol & diesel vehicles banned, and air travel taxed out of existence.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Then when they get older they'll moan that they can't afford a car, or house, there's no jobs, they're fed up of buying cheap shit from China, TV is shit, Music is shit, internet is always broken, food it too expensive, and why are they only allowed 7 liters of water a day.

Nothing much changes :D

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Because they dont need one ?

As I implied, its just a guess, not based on any actual information.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

26 minimum, and if you’ve been in nothing but full time education, you should be banned until you start work.

I’d go so far as to say, if you have a degree but no job …banned.

If you have a humanities degree, banned for life.

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

You see, now that's the sort of stuff that would attract me to vote for a party :D

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Or look at porn sites without scanning a selfie because of the OSA


But Kier is happy to pass that whilst letting them vote (yes, I know it was passed under the previous parliament, but he has had plenty of chance to withdraw it if he wanted to).

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Rumour has it that he didn't withdraw it because of the idea Labour could get more votes going their way from youngsters ;)

The fool should know they'll all vote Green and *mess his plans up



*similar to Cameron and Brexit

Re: Voting Age Lowered To 16 In The UK
 

Not sure why people are worried about 16-year-olds making bad electoral choices. It's not like we've exactly covered ourselves in any glory! :D