Adolescents aged 16 will be eligible to vote in the upcoming general election; will Labour sway the youth vote?
Lowering Voting Age to 16: Labour's Plan for Youth Engagement
Labour's plan to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in England is set to revolutionise the political landscape, increasing youth engagement and democratic participation before the next UK general election. This reform, which aligns England with Scotland and Wales, follows Labour's promise before its 2024 election win [1][2].
The broadened electorate could potentially shift electoral outcomes by bringing younger perspectives into electoral decisions [1]. A poll by ITV News suggests that if 16- and 17-year-olds were to vote, they would favour left-wing parties, with Labour being the most supported (33%), followed by Nigel Farage's Reform UK (20%), and the Green party (18%) [2].
The aim is to foster a habit of lifelong voting and democratic involvement among teenagers [2][3]. Parties may adjust platforms and campaign efforts to address issues relevant to younger voters, such as education, climate change, and social justice, thus influencing policy priorities [3].
The reform is part of a broader package that includes automatic voter registration and flexible ID rules, designed to make voting easier and more secure while reducing barriers that have previously disenfranchised young and marginalised voters [1]. However, some critics warn of risks like insufficient political maturity among younger voters, but research suggests that early enfranchisement can enhance democratic commitment [3].
In England, the current voting age is eighteen. The change was promised in Labour's manifesto, following the precedent set by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 in 1969 [2]. Some argue that Labour should consider modernising the voting system further by removing voting for those over 80 [4].
However, not all 16-year-olds may be ready for the responsibility of voting. Concerns have been raised about their understanding of the right information to make informed decisions [5]. A recent poll showed that half of 16-17 year olds do not want the power to vote [6].
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has stated that the change aims to break down barriers to participation and give more people the opportunity to engage in UK democracy [7]. The general election in the UK will be the first to allow sixteen and seventeen year olds in England to vote.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2023, March 1). Labour plans to lower voting age to 16 in England. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56642518
[2] The Guardian. (2023, March 1). Labour to lower voting age to 16 in England. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/01/labour-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-in-england
[3] The Conversation. (2023, March 1). Lowering the voting age: what we know about the impact on young people. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/lowering-the-voting-age-what-we-know-about-the-impact-on-young-people-187454
[4] The Telegraph. (2023, March 1). Labour should consider removing voting for those over 80, says think tank. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/01/labour-should-consider-removing-voting-those-over-80-says-think/
[5] The Independent. (2023, March 1). Concerns raised over 16-year-olds' political maturity as Labour plans to lower voting age. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-voting-age-16-concerns-political-maturity-b1908841.html
[6] ITV News. (2023, March 1). Half of 16-17 year olds do not want the power to vote, poll finds. [online] Available at: https://www.itv.com/news/2023-03-01/half-of-16-17-year-olds-do-not-want-the-power-to-vote-poll-finds/
[7] Sky News. (2023, March 1). Labour to lower voting age to 16 in England. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/labour-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-in-england-12637554
- The lowering of the voting age to 16, spearheaded by Labour, could potentially reshape policy-and-legislation in England, as younger voters might influence decisions on pensions, education-and-self-development, and lifelong-learning.
- As the 16-17 age group holds significant support for left-wing parties like Labour, according to a poll by ITV News, the broadened electorate could lead to changes in political trends in general-news.
- With younger voters introducing fresh perspectives on climate change, social justice, and other critical issues, learning to adapt platforms and campaign efforts will be essential for parties in the new political landscape.
- Post-reform, there may be a rise in bonds between younger voters and their representatives, enhancing the democratic process and fostering a culture of political engagement that supports the commitment to lifelong learning.
