A LABOUR ruse to lower the voting age to 16 got off to a shaky start as it triggered claims of shameless election-rigging.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner announced plans to let 1.5million 16 and 17-year-olds cast ballots at the next general election.
Those who are currently as young as 12 will be given a say on whether Sir Keir Starmer is re-elected PMPA
It means those who are currently as young as 12 will be given a say on whether Sir Keir Starmer is re-elected PM.
Ministers were accused of “breathtaking cynicism” because younger people are more likely to vote Labour.
Polling showed most of the public opposed the plan — with only half of the teens themselves believing they should get the vote.
Ms Rayner claimed it was unfair 16-year-olds could get married but could not vote. Yet a 2023 law change made it illegal for under-18s in England and Wales to tie the knot, even with parental consent.
The plans will create a scenario at the next election, likely to be 2029, that the teenagers have a vote — but cannot get a tattoo or buy fireworks.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “If they think they can buy young people off with votes at 16, they’re having a laugh. Voters aren’t stupid and will see this desperate gimmick for what it really is.”
A Merlin Strategy poll showed about 33 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds would vote Labour in an election today — worth an extra 500,000 votes.
However, Reform is in second on 20 per cent after winning round scores of youngsters on social media.
The party’s chief Nigel Farage said: “It’s an attempt to rig the political system but we intend to give them a nasty surprise.”
In Scotland and Wales those aged 16 can already vote in local and devolved elections — but not UK general elections.
Ms Rayner accused critics of “running scared”. Sir Keir backed it because he said 16-year-olds were old enough to pay tax so should have the opportunity to have their say.
Labour’s manifesto committed to lowering the age to 16 — but the plan was not included in Sir Keir’s first King’s Speech.
The Merlin poll also found 18 per cent of the 16 and 17-year-olds would vote — but 49 per cent do not think they should be allowed to yet.
A separate YouGov poll found just 32 per cent think the voting age should be lowered, with 57 per cent opposed.
The move is part of a package of electoral reforms, which includes voter ID laws being loosened to allow anyone to use a bank card for identification.
There is also a crackdown on foreign donations to political parties. It will lead to more checks after reports that tycoon Elon Musk was considering a mega donation to Reform.
No10 said: “It’s not about specific individuals or parties.”
Shutterstock EditorialPlans have been announced to let 1.5million 16 and 17-year-olds cast ballots at the next general election[/caption]
FOR: WE PAY BUT NO SAY
By Harry Marsh, 16
IT seems obvious that we should be allowed to vote and I can’t believe it’s taken so long — because by this age we are basically adult members of society.
We can consent to sex, leave home, donate blood, buy lottery tickets.
But what’s more important is that we can join the Army and get jobs, so if we’re expected to be paying tax on our earnings then surely it’s reasonable that we have a say in how the country is run.
I have a part-time job as a waiter and already pay National Insurance so it’s only fair.
Having a vote would probably encourage Gen Z to get more involved in politics, too.
I think crime is the biggest problem for us — and the fact that we’ll have to pay university fees when our parents didn’t really bothers me.
AGAINST: MISLED BY TIKTOK
By Harry’s twin, Felix
GIVING teenagers a vote is a terrible idea — most of my friends don’t know the difference between the political parties and don’t care enough to find out.
They’d inevitably make bad choices on the ballot.
We get most of our news from social media platforms like TikTok, and some of it is obviously not true. I know people my age who believe everything they read so that’s not great for making informed decisions.
At the moment, politics doesn’t seem relevant and is quite boring to me, maybe because everyone involved is so much older.
But I do watch major events on TV, like when Trump was shot or Nigel Farage was on a boat watching migrants arriving.
I get why politicians like that are so popular — they’re funny and great at setting up stunts to get everybody’s attention.
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