The UK government intends to lower the age threshold for participation in elections to 16 years, Reuters reports citing sources in the ruling circles. According to the information, the initiative is part of a large-scale reform aimed at modernizing British democracy and increasing the participation of young people in political life. The legislative changes are due to be introduced in the coming months and will cover both parliamentary and local elections.
“Many young people aged 16-17 are already working, paying taxes, able to join the army and participating in public life. Their voice deserves to be heard at the elections,” said representatives of the initiative group.
Currently in the UK, the right to vote is from the age of 18. However, Scotland and Wales already have provisions allowing people to vote in local government elections from the age of 16.
Experts estimate that the adoption of such changes on a national level could affect hundreds of thousands of young voters. Opponents of the initiative have expressed concern about how mature political decisions can be at such an early age, but recent polls show that more than 60% of respondents aged 16-18 believe it is important to have the right to vote.
