The voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK in time for the next general election, the government confirms – here are the key changes announced today
Labour’s election manifesto last year pledged to lower the voting age to 16 – in line with Scottish and Welsh elections
Tell us how the changes affect you: One student says it will give young people a say in their future, but another 17-year-old thinks the move will “backfire”
Keir Starmer says 16 and 17-year-olds are “old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes”
But the Conservatives question why 16-year-olds will be able to vote but not “marry, go to war, or even stand in elections”. Reform are against lowering the voting age – but the Lib Dems say it’s a “no-brainer”
16 and 17-year-olds to be able to vote in next general election
