Young British teenagers to get the vote

16 year olds in England will be given the right to vote as part of a major political shake-up aimed at rejuvenating democracy in the UK, the government has stated recently.

This will bring voting rights in line with the fellow nations of Scotland and Wales, where 16 and 17 year olds currently already have the franchise, making it uniform across the UK as a whole. Not since 1969, when the voting age was lowered to 18, has there been such a drastic modification, and the proposal was welcomed enthusiastically by this young voter in Brighton.

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."

Despite the apparent enthusiasm from some quarters, it's not yet a fait accompli. Although government plans are underway to introduce the motion to parliament this autumn, it'll need to be scrutinised and debated by MPs prior to passing legislation.

A number of political factions are evidently opposed to the move. Conservative MP Paul Holmes hit back, pronouncing the notion to be "hopelessly confused", while head of Reform Nigel Farage also expressed disapproval. In contrast, lending reinforcement to the governing Labour party are the Liberal Democrats, who declared the move "a no-brainer", an attitude this young voter can relate to.

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 Keir Starmer, the UK's Prime Minister, it makes sense for young people, already permitted to legally work and pay tax contributions, to have a say in exactly how their taxes are distributed. The government's intending to push it through in advance of the next general election, currently scheduled for 2029. Even if legislation does succeed, 16 year olds will be prohibited from actually standing for elections.

Francesca's reassured that at long last younger members of society will have a voice.

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