• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

UK government to lower voting age to 16 before next national election despite strong conservative opposition

by July 17, 2025
written by July 17, 2025

The United Kingdom is lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 before the next national elections – a move which opposition figures decry as a way to sway the electorate to benefit the left. 

The U.K. government, controlled by the Labour Party, announced Thursday that 16- and 17-year-olds will be given the right to vote as part of other new ‘seismic changes.’ Other election reforms include extending voter ID to bank cards, issuing new rules meant to ‘guard against foreign political interference and abuse of campaigners,’ and tightening laws restricting foreign donations to British political parties. 

In an accompanying policy paper included in the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said that ‘declining trust in our institutions and democracy itself has become critical, but it is the responsibility of government to turn this around and renew our democracy, just as generations have done before us.’ 

‘I think it’s really important that 16- and 17-year-olds have the vote because they’re old enough to go out to work, they’re old enough to pay taxes, so to pay in. And I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go,’ British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Thursday. ‘I’m really pleased that we’re able to bring more young people into our democracy.’ 

‘Young people already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military. It’s only right they can have a say on the issues that affect them,’ Rayner wrote on X. The deputy prime minister also elaborated in a statement, adding: ‘We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.’ 

The minimum age of service in the British Armed Forces is 16, but those under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian and may not be deployed to combat zones. 

British opposition politicians accused the Labour Party of trying to manipulate the electorate in their favor by lowering the voting age. 

‘Why does this government think a 16‑year‑old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting?’ Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Holmes, a conservative, said in the House of Commons on Thursday. ‘Isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused?’

Holmes accused Labour of ‘governing by press release’ and questioned whether allowing bank cards – which do not include photographs – as a form of voter ID will undermine security measures at the ballot box. 

Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK Party, said giving 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote ‘is an attempt to rig the political system.’ 

‘The problem with this is, not only do half of youngsters not want the vote, but they have to stay at school now until they’re 18,’ Farage said in a video shared to X. ‘The educational establishment is full of left-wing prejudice, is full of anti-reform bias, and frankly, if 16 to 18 year olds at school are going to be able to vote, we’re going to have to make sure that our education system is teaching kids to make their own minds up and not indoctrinating them.’ 

The change still requires parliamentary approval but was a campaign promise by the Labour Party, which won last year’s general election and holds majority control. The next general election is in 2029. 

Rayner noted that 16- and 17-year-olds can already vote in Scotland and Wales in local elections and country-level parliamentary elections. The minimum voting age for local elections in England and Northern Ireland is 18. 

In an opinion piece in the British newspaper ‘The Times,’ Rayner, who was a single mother at the age of 16, said the change makes 1.6 million 16- and 17-year-olds eligible to vote in the United Kingdom, which has a population of roughly 68 million. 

‘This is about fairness and transparency and giving the young a stake in our country’s future, bringing them into our communities, not excluding them,’ Rayner wrote. ‘It’s about delivering on our manifesto to commitment to secure votes at 16. But it’s also about strengthening our electoral system so that it is fit for the 21st century — because we cannot take our democracy for granted.’ 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Bipartisan House resolution aims to condemn phrase that’s created firestorm for Zohran Mamdani
next post
Unearthed chats shed light on cozy ties between judges, climate activists

related articles

Senate stalls on shutdown vote amid warning furloughed...

October 7, 2025

Senate Republicans confirm more than 100 Trump nominees...

October 7, 2025

Trump meets former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander on...

October 7, 2025

Government limps deeper into shutdown crisis with no...

October 7, 2025

Cruz clashes with Nigeria over his claims 50,000...

October 7, 2025

House committee withdraws James Comey subpoena for Jeffrey...

October 7, 2025

Biden didn’t want intel disseminated showing Ukrainian concerns...

October 7, 2025

Oct 7 anniversary: Netanyahu finds unlikely ally amid...

October 7, 2025

Trump slams Democrats for ‘shutting down’ government, demands...

October 7, 2025

Hawley rips Jack Smith’s ‘Biden’s Stasi’ probe, calls...

October 7, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • JONATHAN TURLEY: Joe Biden’s pardon of son Hunter cements his legacy as liar in chief

    December 2, 2024
  • Deciphering Donald Trump: How his rhetoric sends different messages

    February 25, 2025
  • Nifty and German 40: Nifty again close to new all-time high

    August 27, 2024
  • Harvard’s battle with the Trump administration is creating a thorny financial situation

    April 18, 2025
  • Patel camp decries Durbin accusations as ‘politically motivated’ attempt to derail FBI confirmation

    February 12, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (6,285)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (936)

Latest Posts

  • SCOOP: DOGE Caucus plans White House meeting as Elon Musk preps to step back

    April 30, 2025
  • Patel cuts ties Comey’s FBI made with ADL as organization faces backlash for TPUSA criticism

    October 1, 2025
  • China open to talks with Trump admin on lowering tariffs, ministry says

    May 2, 2025

Recent Posts

  • SafeMoon and Litecoin: Litecoin tries to stay on new support

    August 27, 2024
  • Obama’s inner circle signals 44th president firmly behind Harris despite not saying so publicly

    July 25, 2024
  • Karine Jean-Pierre ripped over ‘firing squad’ recap of Biden’s exit from race: ‘Still doesn’t understand’

    February 28, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Senate to take up Trump spending bill as clock ticks down to government shutdown

    March 14, 2025
  • ApeCoin and Akita Inu: ApeCoin pauses again at 0.800 level

    July 30, 2024
  • Trump says he is open to extending trade deal deadline for other countries: ‘I would’

    June 12, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock