Britain to lower voting age to 16 in bid to increase democratic participation
The centre-left Labour Party pledged before it was elected in July 2024 to lower the voting age for elections to Britain's Parliament. Scotland and Wales already let 16 and 17-year-olds vote in local and regional elections.
Britain will join the short list of countries where the voting age is 16, alongside the likes of Ecuador, Austria and Brazil.
The move comes alongside wider reforms that include tightening campaign financing rules to stop shell companies with murky ownership from donating to political parties. Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali said the change would strengthen safeguards against foreign interference in British politics.
The government also said it will introduce automatic voter registration and allow voters to use bank cards as a form of identification at polling stations.
The previous Conservative government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo identification in 2022, a measure it said would combat fraud. Critics argued it could disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly the young, the poor and members of ethnic minorities.
Elections watchdog the Electoral Commission has estimated that about 750,000 people did not vote in last year's election because they lacked ID.
Turnout in the 2024 election was 59.7%, the lowest level in more than two decades.
Harry Quilter-Pinner, head of left-leaning think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, said the changes were 'the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969," when the voting age was lowered to 18 from 21.
The changes must be approved by Parliament. The next national election must be held by 2029.
'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline,' Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said. 'We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘Mane Manege Police' initiative launched in Karnataka's Shivamogga district
The 'Mane Manege Police' (Police to Every Home), a new initiative to establish people-friendly policing, was launched in Karnataka's Shivamogga district on Thursday. District and Sessions Judge Manjunath Nayak launched the initiative by lighting a lamp in a programme held at Ramanna Shreshthi Park in the city. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nayak told the police staff to listen to people's problems in a cordial manner and address them effectively. The public should also cooperate with the police to make the programme a success, he said. A good relationship between the police and the public, he said, was essential in ensuring harmony in society. 'Normally, people do not wish to visit a police station, nor do they expect the police to visit them at home. The government has launched this initiative to make the police administration people-friendly. I appreciate the Home Department for this programme,' he said. The judge said it would be better if the police chose not to wear uniforms when they visit homes, and take children into confidence during the interaction. He also suggested the public to follow the suggestions of the police. Superintendent of Police G.K. Mithun Kumar said that the public continued to possess fear about the police because of the measures the police resorted to in order to control the public during the freedom movement. 'The people still consider police as a legacy of the British. The State government has launched the initiative to clear this notion. Besides that, the people have misconceptions about the police after watching cinemas and serials. I hope this initiative will ensure a good relationship between the police and the people,' he opined. He appealed to the public to share whatever problems they faced with the police during their visit. 'We will make honest efforts to resolve them,' he stated. Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Bhoomaredd and other officers were present.
United News of India
13 minutes ago
- United News of India
India, UK sign landmark Free Trade Agreement
New Delhi/London, July 24 (UNI) India and UK today signed the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after three years of hectic parleys, bringing in the promise of a major boost to the economies of both countries. The Agreement was signed in London by Union Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a two-day visit to UK, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Prime Minister Modi described the Agreement as a ''plan for shared prosperity.'' ''The Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. New opportunities will emerge in the UK market for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry. This agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector. For people in India products made in UK will be available at reasonable and affordable prices," the Prime Minister said. The UK PM described the Agreement as a ''big win for Britain''. ''India deal is a big win for Britain that will improve people's lives,'' Mr Starmer said on X. ''A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. That's our Plan for Change in action,'' he said. The agreement, okayed by the Union Cabinet early this week, includes lower tariffs on cars, clothing and footwear and jewellery and will involve reduced levies on British exports to India including on gin and whiskey, cosmetics and cars. The lower tariffs will make Indian exports cheaper and Indian manufacturers will gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both countries had finalised the Agreement on May 6. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the FTA as a ''big win'' for farmers, ensuring duty-free exports on nearly 95 per cent of agricultural products. Duty-free access for about 99 per cent of Indian exports unlocks nearly 23 billion Dollars in opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, he said adding that artisans, weavers and daily-wage labourers employed in MSMEs would usher in a new phase of prosperity. He said the FTA is a big leap for women through improved access to finance and deeper integration into global value chains and will provide Indian consumers high quality goods at competitive prices. UNI RB 1702
NDTV
17 minutes ago
- NDTV
"6 UK Universities To Open Campuses In India": PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendar Modi On India-UK Trade Deal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal today, July 24, 2025, at Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister, with the goal of enhancing the economies of both nations. Through the reduction or elimination of tariffs imposed on trade, the deal is expected to double the bilateral trade from 60 billion euros to 120 billion euros by 2030, boosting the economic growth of both the countries. The FTA seeks to open up the Indian markets for textiles, footwear, gems, seafood, and engineering goods to the UK, promoting mutual growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stated, "The cost of doing business will go down, and confidence of business will go up". During their meeting today to sign the FTA, PM Narendra Modi talked about the openings of new six British campuses in India and the Southampton University's recent inauguration of a campus in Gurugram, India. He said, "Friends, Even in the Education sector also, both countries together are writing a new chapter. UK's six universities are opening campuses in India. Just last week, in India's Gurugram city, the Southampton university was inaugurated". The Southampton university opened the campus in Gurugram on July 16, 2025, and became the first foreign university to open a foreign campus in India. India and the UK share a strong partnership, with the elevation of their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021, it focused on key sectors such as trade, defence, energy, education, and people-to-people ties. As reported by UK government, their exports to India amounted to 17.1 billion euros in 2024, while India's exports to UK were 25.5 billion euros. The total trade of goods and services (exports plus imports) amounted to 42.6 billion euros, making India the UK's 11th largest trading partner to the end of fourth quarter of 2024.
