19-07-2025
Pointless or positive? - Suffolk students split on changes to voting age
Suffolk students have mixed reactions to the government's announcement of a lower voting age to 16, with views ranging from "pointless" to "positive".
A group of students from Abbeygate Sixth Form College have reacted as news emerged that 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote in the next general election which will be held by 2029.
Hailed by Labour as "the boldest and most ambitious change to our democracy for decades" the changes to voting law also include automatic voter registration to stop potential voters from missing out.
Penny Norman, 16, and Anna Williams, 17, have different views on the changes (Image: John Nice) Some students, such as Anna Williams, are in favour of the plans.
Anna, 17, is currently studying for her A-levels including politics.
She said: 'I think there is always two sides to every story but I think it is a really positive thing. It hopefully means the education in schools [about politics] will improve. I didn't know very much [about politics] before starting at Abbeygate."
She has an optimistic view of politics currently, saying that the state of politics in the UK is "a complicated one, overall there is always good things and bad things, but we will come out okay".
Joseph Haynes, who studies politics at Abbeygate (Image: John Nice) However, some students are very much against the changes to increase the voting franchise.
Penny Norman, who studies politics at Abbeygate, said: "'I think it is really bad. I'm not fond of the idea. I don't think people are mature enough."
Joseph Haynes, who also studies politics agreed with her saying: 'It seems a bit pointless. They [the government] are probably just doing it to distract from the state of politics right now.'
Olly Haughton of Suffolk New College (Image: John Nice) 'It's in a state – all the parties are basically the same and there is not much difference between them.
Olly Haughton, 19, from Woodbridge studies at Suffolk New College, and whilst he currently eligible to vote, he said that he "could see why there are concerns".
The Esports student said: "I can understand why they are doing it, but I can see why there are some concerns. Some 16-year-olds (from my experience) aren't always the most mature. But I can also see the opportunities with it as well.'
