Young British teenagers to get the vote

16 year olds in England will soon be able to vote in elections. It's the first huge change since 1969. That year, the age to vote was dropped to 18. It's a change which the UK government is making to modernise democracy.

In Wales and Scotland, young people can vote at 16 and 17 in elections. The new change will mean that younger voters across the UK can take part. This voter was really pleased.

Florence Blake: "Yeah definitely, cos I feel like when I was 16, I had the like ability to know what was going on in the world. And I wanted to be able to vote when I was 16, so, yeah."

However, it hasn't yet become the law. The government's planning to introduce the idea to politicians this autumn. They'll need to discuss it carefully. But some political parties aren't happy with the possibility. Nigel Farage, the party leader of 'Reform', disagrees with the plan. However, members of the Liberal Democrat party support it.

This woman was ready to vote at a younger age. She believes it's young people's right to vote for their own future.

Izzy Mudie: "A lot of young people are more like politically educated, now. And like, I had like political rage at that age, I guess. And like, I was like almost like annoyed that I couldn't vote and couldn't like express my opinion. And like, a lot of older people have different views now - than younger people - and it's like our future. It's not really their future anymore."

For the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, dropping the age to vote to 16 is the right choice. Young people already work and pay taxes. They should therefore be allowed to choose their political leaders.

The law needs to be passed by the government before the next election. That'll take place in 2029. This young voter feels glad that young people will finally be heard.

Francesca Rossi: "I think it's like a good opportunity for like younger people to be able to vote. I feel like the younger generation, like, deserves to have their voices heard." View Less