Britain will lower the voting age from 18 to 16 by the next national election, as pledged by the Labour Party. This aligns Britain with countries like Austria, Brazil, and Ecuador, where the voting age is already at 16. Scotland and Wales allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections. Alongside this change, reforms will include stricter campaign financing rules to limit obscure donations and tougher penalties for candidate intimidation. These measures aim to bolster the integrity of the democratic process and prevent foreign interference.
The center-left Labour Party pledged before it was elected in July 2024 to lower the voting age for elections to Britain's Parliament. Scotland and Wales already let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in local and regional elections.
Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali stated that the change would strengthen safeguards against foreign interference in British politics. There will also be tougher sentences for people convicted of intimidating candidates.
Britain will join the short list of countries where the voting age is 16, alongside the likes of Austria, Brazil and Ecuador. A handful of European Union countries allow 16-year-olds to vote.
Wider reforms include tightening campaign financing rules to stop shell companies with murky ownership from donating to political parties, aimed at increasing democratic participation.
#voting-age-reform #democratic-participation #political-reforms #campaign-financing #youth-engagement
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