In a move hailed as a major win for youth empowerment, the UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election. The change, part of a new Elections Bill, marks the biggest shift in voting rights since the age was dropped from 21 to 18 in 1969.
Already in place for local elections in Scotland and Wales, this change would extend young people's political voice to national elections across the UK. As Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner put it, “If you can work, pay taxes, and be a parent at 16, you should have the right to vote.”
The bill includes other democratic reforms too—expanding acceptable voter ID to include bank cards, moving towards automatic registration, and closing loopholes that allowed potential foreign interference in donations. These updates aim to make the system more accessible and more secure.
Of course, critics raise concerns—from political motives to age-based inconsistencies—but supporters see this as a long-overdue act of trust in the next generation.
It’s not just about politics—it’s about inclusion, representation, and investing in tomorrow’s voters today. And for that, it absolutely earns its place on What’s Right with the World.