16 year olds can vote in the next general election – can Labour win with teens?

UK democracy is modernising - sweet sixteens and seventeen year olds will be given voting rights in England for the first time in the next general election.

The change was promised in Labour’s manifesto, and aims to restore trust in politics through ‘Labour’s Plan for Change’.

As part of the seismic changes, voters will also be able to use their bank cards as ID, making it easier for people to turn up and exercise their right to vote.

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In England, you currently have to be 18 to vote. In 1969, the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. Lowering the age brings the voting system in line with Scotland and Wales, where 16-17 year olds can vote.

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, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen year olds the right to vote.”

There are concerns that not all 16 year olds have a grasp of the right information at that age to make an informed decision. I also believe that many will follow influence - whether it be family, friends or social media. Can a 16 year old filter out the noise and make an informed choice?

But, if they can tie the knot at 16, work and pay taxes, why shouldn’t they have a say on which government is in charge of the policies that impact their finances? Maybe.

What can Labour do for 16 year olds?

Having upset older voters with the winter fuel allowance cuts, even though that has seen a U-turn, alongside other fiscal policies over IHT and pension changes, Labour will need to look very attractive to this new wave of younger voters that it may desperately need.

But can Labour deliver on their priorities - and what would those priorities be?

For those that stay in education, student fees are likely to be a talking point - would Labour scrap or reduce them?

For those starting employment, perhaps a boost to their pension journey by scrapping the minimum income level at which they are enrolled into a pension, or possibly a non-contributory incentive until they are at least 18?

Gaining the support of this age group will possibly cost the government more and any party that wants the votes of teens is going to have to try hard to grab their attention.

It’s hard to know what 16 year olds are looking for.

According to a poll of 500 16-17 year olds by ITV News, half do not want the power to vote.

And if they were to vote, the poll found 16 and 17 year olds favoured left-wing parties, though Nigel Farage's Reform UK came up second as the most-supported party.

Around 33% said they supported Labour, 20% said Reform, 18% said Green.

My view is, this age group has just left school, they have not had time to absorb what is going on in the world, they do not yet know what they need in life and what policies they would support. Worryingly, they will be led by influence. Popping the ‘X’ into a black box, in my view, should be left for the 18-plus.

But equally, if Labour truly wants to modernise the voting system and UK democracy, then it should perhaps also remove voting for 80-plus. Policies like Brexit will impact younger people, and so it should be their vote that really matters.