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Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Compulsory voting would help reengage Scots who have tuned out from politics
Writing for the Record, Labour peer George Foulkes argues that when over a third of the eligible population is regularly not voting, the system is clearly broken. As a longstanding supporter of democratic reform, I am pleased to see our Labour Government will be implementing long-overdue improvements to our voting system, through the imminent Elections Bill. Amongst these reforms, I am particularly supportive of their plans to lower the voting age in UK General elections to 16 – a move which has proven to be both popular and successful in Scotland. If you are considered mature enough to serve in our armed forces and pay taxes, you are clearly entitled to a vote. I am also happy to see movement towards embracing automatic registration. This is a work in progress for the UK Government, with the devolved nations once again leading the charge. However, setting these reforms aside for a moment, there is an outstanding issue which every party in the United Kingdom is currently failing to fully address – turnout. In elections up and down the country, we consistently struggle to reach a turnout of 65 per cent or higher. In fact, the turnout in 2024 dropped far lower than this already paltry figure, plunging below 60 per cent When over a third of the eligible population is regularly not voting, the system is clearly broken. Low turnout is a particularly harmful issue because, as numerous academic studies have found, it is self-fulfilling. This means that, as an increasing swathe of the population tunes out of politics, politicians increasingly position themselves in alignment with the voters who do vote, and will continue to turn out. So those who feel left out are increasingly left out and alienated, and those who vote gain more and more sway over policy direction. As a result our politics is at risk of becoming divided, alienating the poor and favouring the privileged , so it will no longer truly represent the many, catering instead to a diminishing number of politically engaged, privileged elites. That isn't to say that only the rich vote, but the data shows that it is minorities, the young and the under privileged who are increasingly failing to. Lowering the voting age can partially help address this problem, as it will temporarily boost the younger demographic which is currently so under-represented. However it does not effectively address the issue of disengagement, and I believe only one reform can: compulsory voting. We know it works – Australia introduced compulsory voting back in the 1920s, and their turnout has consistently exceeded 90 per cent ever since. Even more impressively, at their latest election in 2025, youth enrollment was in the 80 per cent plus range, as was indigenous enrolment By comparison, youth (especially 16-24) and ethnic minority groups are significantly underrepresented in our electoral register, with only around 60 per cent of British 20-24 year olds correctly registered, as of 2022. So it seems like a blindingly obvious solution to our looming democratic crisis - however, I know that many are still opposed, or feel uncomfortable with the concept of 'forcing' people to vote. The reality is that a compulsory system, such as the one that operates in Australia, would not actually compel you to vote. Instead a small (~£20) fine would act as an encouragement to vote and, even then, you would still have the option to cast a spoiled ballot and not be penalised. Furthermore, the idea that government should never compel us or, in this case, gently encourage us to do something, is out of touch with the world in which we live. We are 'forced' to pay our taxes, and to follow the various other laws which have been designed to keep us safe and society functional, like seat belt wearing and smoking in public places. The real issue here is one of perception: voting, in the minds of many, has become a luxury rather than a duty. Of course, there are legitimate obstructions to performing this duty, such as illness, but leniency, under these specific circumstances, can be built into the system. There is really no down-side, which is why I am strongly in favour of introducing compulsory voting to the UK, and have given my full backing to the Constitution Society's new campaign around this very issue. I am pleased to say I am not the only politician who will be supporting them: an increasing number recognise that this is a critical and much-needed reform, including Antonia Bance, Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury, Adam Price of Plaid Cymru, former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, Baroness Royall, Lords Hain, and Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, former Labour Deputy Leader. I expect the campaign to grow in strength, as the benefits of compulsory voting become more widely known and understood, and it is our intention to set up an APPG sometime over the next few months to help co-ordinate across both Houses.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
16-year-olds to be given vote at next election in landmark change
The voting age is to be lowered to 16 in time for the next election, the government has announced in a move that would allow around 1.5 million more teenagers to cast a ballot. The change will bring UK-wide elections in line with Scotland and Wales by the time the country next goes to the polls, due by the summer of 2029 at the latest. The 'seismic' development, which is part of a raft of measures set to be introduced through a new Elections Bill, is the biggest change to the electorate since 1969 when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. Keir Starmer encouraged 16 and 17 year olds to use their vote at next election. No 10 said the PM would 'absolutely encourage them to be as engaged as they can be in the future of their country'. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: 'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. 'We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy… and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.' Sixteen-year-olds already work, pay taxes and serve in the military, ministers point out. Rushanara Ali, the minister for democracy, said the move would take 'a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy'. But politicians from other parties have accused Starmer of trying to 'rig future elections' with the change. The PM insisted last year the issue was one of fairness. He said: 'If you can work, if you can pay tax, if you can serve in your armed forces, then you ought to be able to vote.' Across the world there are only a handful of countries where the voting age is less than 18. In 2024 only Nicaragua, Scotland (for devolved Scottish Parliament and council elections), the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Cuba, Brazil, and Austria had votes at 16. Last year the then Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns, who has since lost her seat and defected to Nigel Farage's Reform party, put a video out on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that Starmer wants to 'rig future elections'. But Chris Annous, from pollsters More in Common, said expanding the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds 'will have little impact on election results - outside of hyper marginal seats'. A new poll has also found nearly half of 16 and 17-year-olds don't think they should be allowed to vote. The survey of 500 16 and 17-year-olds by Merlin Strategy for ITV News found that 49 per cent didn't think the voting age should be lowered to 16, while 51 per cent said it should. The plans will also see UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of ID at the polling stations. A more automated voter registration system will also make it easier for people to register to vote, the government said. New changes will also close loopholes that would allow foreign donors via 'shell companies' to influence UK political parties. It follows reports earlier this year that Elon Musk was preparing to give $100m (£80m) to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, in what would have been by far the largest donation in British electoral history. The changes will also allow the Electoral Commission to take action and enforce heavier fines of up to £500,000 on those who breach political finance rules, and enable tougher sentences for those who abuse election campaigners. The reforms come as the official watchdog the Electoral Commission reported that spending at last summer's general election hit a record high of £94.5 million, including £69.3 million spent by political parties. Labour outspent its rivals, shelling out £30 million during the campaign, more than twice the amount it spent five years earlier, while the Conservatives spent £23.9 million and the Liberal Democrats £5.6 million. Reform spent £5.5 million, the Greens £1.7 million and the SNP £799,000. Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director of the IPPR think tank, said the changes were "the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969", when the voting age was lowered to 18. He said: "Barely half of people voted in last year's general election. Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy. The government has clearly heard these alarm bells." No 10 'absolutely rejected' claims that the reform was being brought in to shore up the government's vote.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Jardine celebrates votes at 16 as 'first step' to electoral reform
Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has welcomed the UK Government's commitment to allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote at the next election, but urged Ministers to go further with electoral reform. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scots aged have had the right to vote from the age of 16 in local elections, Scottish Parliamentary elections and referendums since 2014, when more than 100,000 under-18s registered to vote in that year's independence referendum. Previous governments had previously resisted Lib Dem calls to equalise the voting age for General Elections, until the Labour Party included it as a manifesto commitment. The plans are expected to come before Parliament in an Elections Bill in the coming months. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Jardine warmly welcomed the move, but said the UK Government should go much further with its ambitions to improve our elections. Christine Jardine MP She said:'I am delighted that the UK Government has finally listened to Lib Dem calls and given 16- and 17-year-olds across the country the right to vote in General Elections. 'Many of them will be working alongside their education, some will be planning to enter the Armed Forces, but all of them will have encountered issues and challenges that matter to them and their lives. They deserve to be heard equally. 'But this is just the first step towards making our elections fairer. These young people will still be voting under an unfair, outdated voting system in first-past-the-post, and we must see firmer action to prevent outside interference in our elections. 'I hope Labour will be bold and take these extra steps to truly make every vote count.'
Gulf Insider
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
UK To Lower Voting Age To 16, But Could Plans End Up Backfiring?
Britain's left-wing Labour government has announced plans to lower the voting age in time for the next U.K. general election, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in what it described as sweeping electoral reforms to 'modernize democracy.' Ministers say the move is designed to rebuild public trust, but critics have accused the government of trying to tilt the electoral playing field in its favor, with recent polling suggesting Labour would benefit from a third of the votes. The voting age reform is part of a broader Elections Bill that will also ease voter ID rules by allowing bank cards as accepted identification and introduce tougher regulations on foreign donations, campaigner abuse, and digital voter registration. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the plan would 'break down barriers to participation' and deliver on Labour's manifesto promise to extend the vote to young people who already 'work, pay taxes, and serve in the military.' Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali called it a 'generational step forward.' But Nigel Farage, leader of Reform U.K., responded: 'I'm not in favor of it, but I'm really encouraged by the number of young people that are coming towards us. It's an attempt to rig the political system, but we intend to give them a nasty surprise.' Polling by Merlin Strategy suggests the issue is divisive even among teenagers. Of 500 16- and 17-year-olds surveyed, 49 percent said they did not believe they should be allowed to vote, while 51 percent supported the move. When asked how they would vote, 33 percent backed Labour, but Reform U.K. came in second with 20 percent. Only 10 percent of respondents said they would vote Conservative. BREAKING: The UK is set to lower the voting age to 16 in landmark electoral "Just when you think things couldn't get any worse… we're going to let kids vote over who runs the country – completely and utterly insane!"@JuliaHB1 — Talk (@TalkTV) July 17, 2025 Shadow Communities Secretary Kevin Hollinrake told the Daily Mail the move risks undermining democracy: 'Even 16- and 17-year-olds don't think they're ready to vote. With only 18 percent saying they'd definitely take part in an election, it's clear this is more about politics than principle.' Former editor of The Sun, Kelvin MacKenzie, was blunter: 'In a desperate attempt to find anybody to vote Labour, Angela Rayner has announced 16-year-olds can vote. At 16, they know nothing of life and finance and therefore make great socialist fodder.' In a desperate attempt to find anybody to vote Labour Angela Rayner has announced 16-year-olds can vote at the next General Election. At 16 they know nothing of life and finance and therefore make great socialist fodder. Older voters sick of subsidising teenagers born with their… — Kelvin MacKenzie (@kelvmackenzie) July 17, 2025 In a European context, the U.K. now joins Austria and Malta in allowing 16-year-olds to vote in all elections. Germany, Wales, and Scotland permit voting at 16 for local or regional elections, but most European countries still set the national voting age at 18. The move could backfire for the Labour government. Just 43 percent of young people are supportive of the two legacy parties in Britain, Labour and the Conservatives, with the data suggesting they are sympathetic to left and right-wing causes. With talk of a potential splinter party from Labour in the pipeline being set up by far-left MPs Zara Sultana and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and the indisputable success Reform U.K. had at the last general election through its use of social media targeting young people, Keir Starmer's party could find itself being squeezed from both sides.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Major change on who can vote in UK general elections - see how it impacts you
It is the biggest change to the voting age since 1969 - and could add more than 1.5million to the electorate. Here The Mirror looks at they key details announced today Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be given the right to vote at the next general election, the government has confirmed. It is the biggest change to the voting age since it was reduced from 21 to 18 back in 1969 - and could add more than 1.5million to the electorate. Announcing the move, Keir Starmer said if 16 and 17-year-olds are old enough to work and pay taxes they should "have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on". Lowering the vote age is among a raft of measures confirmed by the government today, with others aimed at widening accepted forms of ID to vote in elections and tackling foreign influence. The landmark changes have been welcomed by experts, with one saying the Government has "clearly heard the alarm bells" on the state of the UK's democracy. Deputy PM Angela Rayner added: 'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline." Here The Mirror looks at the key changes. What are the current rules for voting? Under existing rules 16 and 17-year-olds are already able to cast a ballot in both devolved and local elections in Scotland and Wales. It stands at 18 in both England and Northern Ireland. The age of voting at a general election currently stands at 18 for all four corners of the UK. What is changing? Under proposed measures, which Labour committed to ahead of the general election, the voting age across the UK will be reduced to 16. The change will mean around 1.5million more people are eligible to vote. The government also said it would move towards an automated voter registration system, which is already used in Australia and Canada. Ministers say it will make it much easier for people to register to vote. When is the next general election? The changes are set to happen in time for the next general election, which must be called before August 2029. But the exact date lies with the Prime Minister, who has the power to call a vote earlier. It is expected the changes proposed by the government will be part of an upcoming Elections Bill, which could take many months to pass through both the Commons and the Lords before becoming law. What else can 16 and 17-year-olds do? Keir Starmer has highlighted that 16-year-olds are able to work and pay taxes and should "have the opportunity" to say how they wanted their money spent. They can also serve in the military from 16 (but not on the frontline). 16-year-olds can also apply for a provisional driving licence and can ride a moped but the minimum age to learn how to drive a car is 17. Critics of the plans to lower the voting age have also pointed out that you have to be 18 to stand as a candidate in an election. The same age limit also applies for buying lottery tickets, alcohol, cigarettes, and getting married. Before 2023, 16 and 17-year-olds were able to marry or enter a civil partnership with parental consent, but they are no longer able to do so. Could the youth vote swing key contests? The youth vote has the potential to swing votes in constituencies across the country where the majorities are wafer-thin. There are a total of 114 constituencies where the majority won at the 2024 general election is smaller than the number of 16-and-17-year-olds currently living there. But with young people historically less likely to vote some experts are sceptical about the impact of the change in voter age on politics. Elections expert Sir John Curtice told Politico the impact would be "marginal". But he added that 'age is the biggest demographic division in our electoral politics' with younger voters, who are more left-leaning, 'likelier to vote for Labour or the Greens'. A poll for ITV this week among 16 and 17-year-olds found 33% said they would vote Labour while 20% opted for Reform, 18% for the Greens, 12% for the Liberal Democrats. Just 10% said they would vote for the Tories. What about Voter ID? The Tories introduced controversial new rules forcing voters to show ID at polling stations. The government said "far too many people" are being put off by the rules. While they are not proposing scrapping the policy, the accepted forms of ID will soon include UK-issued bank cards, to make it easier to vote. Will there be any changes to postal voting? Under government plans ministers want to change the deadline to apply for a postal vote from 11 to 14 working days before an election. The policy paper states: "The increased time provides the system with more flexibility and ultimately better serves voters through an improved likelihood of their receiving and being able to return their ballot ahead of polling day." What about foreign donations? The plans will also see a tightening of the rules to crackdown on foreign money influencing UK elections. It will ban "shell companies" from donating to political parties and requiring more checks on donations to unincorporated associations. Unincorporated associations have long been another concern of transparency campaigners, who have warned they can obscure the real source of political donations. The Electoral Commission will be given the power to levy £500,000 fines on those who break the new rules on donations.
