Labour has suggested it would lower the voting age if elected on July 4th, but what effect would this have on the final voting count?
Lowering the Voting Age
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is considering lowering the voting age to 16 if Labour wins the election this summer.
Will the Result Be Affected?
Reducing the voting age would give both 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in Britain for the first time, but what effect will this have on the final count?
Changing the Election Outcome With New Law
Currently, the law states that voters must be 18 or older to have a say in the general election, but this new rule could dramatically change the outcome.
An Opportunity for Young Voters
The new law would give an extra 1.5 million residents in the UK the power to vote, giving young people the opportunity to have a say in their future.
Putting Numbers Into Perspective
Rawpixel.com
Last election, almost 50 million voters were registered according to statistics from the Electoral Commission.
Labour’s Young Voter Appeal
Historically, Labour has attracted the votes of the majority of youngsters across the UK, meaning that an extra 1.5 million voters would mostly be in Labour’s favour.
Labour Leader’s Assertion
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer insisted that 16 and 17-year-olds deserve more say in their future, especially since they are already trusted with the ability to drive and serve in the army.
Starmer Fights for Rights of Teens
Starmer insisted “Yes, I want to see 16 and 17-year-olds voting. If you can work, if you can pay tax, if you can serve in your Armed Forces, then you ought to be able to vote.”
The Tax Argument
Sir Starmer also added that since 16 and 17-year-olds already pay tax, they “should have a say on how their money is being used”.
Tories Want Mandatory Military Service
With the Tories’ latest announcement that young people would have to take part in mandatory military service or volunteering if they win the election, young people may have even less of an incentive to vote for the struggling Party.
A Life-Changing Opportunity?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced that mandatory military service would provide “life-changing opportunities for young people” across the country.
Labour’s Damning Response
Labour responded to the military service announcement, slamming it as a “gimmick” and a promise that would not be fulfilled.
“Another Unfunded Spending Commitment”
Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, asserted that the proposed law would be “yet another unfunded spending commitment” from the Tories.
Tories Respond to Labour’s Promise
The Tories have also responded to Labour’s suggestion that under-18s could land the right to vote in the next decade.
Tory MPs Announce Disapproval
Aware of the disparity in numbers between young Tory voters and young Labour voters, many Tory MPs have declared their disapproval of the idea.
Labour’s Allegedly Unfair Advantage
According to Tory MP Tom Hunt, the Labour Party is trying to gain an unfair advantage over the Tories with the proposed law.
Rigging the Vote?
Hunt insisted that the rule was “an attempt by Labour to rig the vote in their favour” as more young people tend to choose the left-wing Party over the Tories.
Tory MPs Stand up Against Voting Rule
Tory MP Bob Seely echoed the statement, arguing “’Labour haven’t even won and already they are trying to rig the voting system.”
The End for the Tories?
Many, including former Tory MP Lee Anderson, believe that allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote would mean the end for the Tory Party.
A Huge Tory Blow
After losing out on almost all 500 seats in the local elections, the Conservatives could face another huge blow with the proposed law under a future Labour government.
25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Remember the days when you could freely discuss just about anything without fear of sparking controversy? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s hyper-sensitive world, there are topics so fraught with tension that even mentioning them can lead to heated debates and hurt feelings. 25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
Ever had a car that spent more time with the mechanic than on the road? A car that turned every journey into a game of “Will we actually get there?” If so, you might just see a familiar face (or should we say, chassis) in our countdown to the most unreliable British car in history. Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
“Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that Britain will become “unrecognizable,” criticizing the amount of work visas the Home Office has approved, despite only being removed from her role in November. “Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
Step into the time machine and set the dial to the 1970s, a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some rather questionable choices. While the ’70s gave us iconic music and groundbreaking TV, not everything from this groovy era would get a green light today. 20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
Navigating the UK university landscape is like deciphering a complex code of rankings, reviews, and reputations to uncover where you’ll not just learn, but truly flourish. Whether you’re drawn to the historic halls of Oxford or the creative buzz of Goldsmiths, finding your perfect fit is about aligning your aspirations with the unique offerings of each institution. 20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
The post How Will Labour’s Promise to Lower the Voting Age Affect the Outcome of Elections? first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Lomb.
Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.