Fifteen-year-old Emilia Lescott, who was on work experience with the Warminster Journal when the government made its announcement, reports on the decision to lower the voting age to 16 across the UK in time for the next general election.
The government has recently announced that the voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK in time for the next general election. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says “16 and 17-year-olds are old enough to go out to work; they are old enough to pay taxes”.
According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) thinktank, up to 9.5 million more people will now be eligible to vote. Current figures show that 48,208,507 people are registered to vote.
The voting age was last changed in 1969, when legislation was passed to lower it from 21 to 18, coming into effect the following year. The government says this reform will “help to restore trust in UK democracy and boost democratic engagement in a changing world.”
I spoke to local people about how they feel about this new change.
A local 15-year-old expressed concerns, saying, “I don’t think it is good, to be honest. Barely any 16-year-olds act that mature and they believe all the false news spread online. They don’t understand politics properly. I think it’s stupid to make it 16.”
However, a 13-year-old, who will be 17 at the next general election, said, “I would vote. I feel like even younger people’s opinions are valid.”
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, strongly welcomed the change, describing it as “Outstanding, about time too.” He emphasised the importance of young people’s voices being heard.
Among adults, opinions were divided. One local man said, “I think it’s a crazy idea! If people aren’t old enough to buy cigarettes or alcohol, or adopt, or go to war, or get married without parents’ permission, they’re not old enough to vote!”
Pictured: Emilia speaking with Cllr Jon Hubbard
