Latest news with #democratic system
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Join the army, work full-time … and now vote: what 16-year-olds can do in the UK
Turning 16 opens up a whole suite of exciting new freedoms. Now, those celebrating their baby steps into adulthood in the UK have another thrilling task for their to-do lists: heading to the voting booth. Thursday marked one of the largest changes to the country's democratic system in recent times after Labour announced the voting age would be lowered to 16 before the next general election. Scotland and Wales have already made the change for Holyrood and Senedd elections, as well as local council elections, but the move means 16-year-olds will have a say over who becomes prime minister for the first time. For some, the change has been a long time coming, especially considering what 16-year-olds can already legally do: Those aged 16 and 17 can join the British army as a junior soldier, where they will learn survival skills including handling and firing weapons. They earn above minimum wage for their age group, with monthly pay starting between £1,500 and £1,800. Accommodation and other bills are paid for. For some people, ringing in the 16th year is accompanied with bottles of suspiciously cheap booze and a raging house party. However, for those who want to stay out of trouble but still fancy a tipple, a pub under the watchful eye of an adult may be the best setup. It is against the law to buy alcohol or drink it in licensed premises alone but, if you are 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal. The drink must be bought by someone over 18. Although unable to buy it, 16- and 17-year-olds can legally serve alcohol in a restaurant. The late teens are often a time when youngsters make impulsive decisions they later regret. Ill-fated tattoos, questionable fashion choices and horrible music tastes all fit the bill, but some changes are harder to reverse. Sixteen-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can legally change their names. All it takes is a dare gone wrong or a deluded belief that a nickname will still sound cool at 50 to take the plunge. Youngsters in Scotland have to wait until they turn 18 for the privilege. The days of stretching out lunch money or hoarding birthday cash to buy a pair of new trainers are gone. At 16 you can work most full-time jobs. You can also open a bank account on your own, meaning you can keep your parents' noses out of your financial affairs. Don't disregard their advice altogether, however. They're right sometimes.
CNN
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
UK plans to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform
The British government said on Thursday it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system. The government said the proposed changes, which are subject to parliament approvals, would align voting rights across the UK with Scotland and Wales, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections. 'We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy,' Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said in a statement. Turnout at the 2024 general election was 59.7%, the lowest at a general election since 2001, according to a parliamentary report. According to the House of Commons library, research from countries that have lowered the voting age to 16 shows it has had no impact on election outcomes, and that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18. Labour, whose popularity has fallen sharply in government after being elected by a landslide a year ago, had said it would lower the voting age if elected. The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards. To tackle foreign interference, the government said it also planned to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over £500 ($670) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.
