Labour is facing a furious backlash over plans to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote by the end of the year – a move branded by critics as a brazen attempt to skew future elections in their favour.
Labour Government sources confirmed that MPs will begin debating the radical proposal in the next parliamentary session, set to begin this spring.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of Keir Starmer’s controversial decision to postpone local elections originally scheduled for May – a move slammed by opponents as an “anti-democratic stitch-up.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused Labour of attempting to “rig” the system, warning that the plan could backfire spectacularly. He told The Telegraph: “Labour have cancelled the votes of millions of people on May 1 and now we learn they are attempting to rig future elections with votes for 16 and 17-year-olds.
“Labour might well be in for a shock when they find out just how many of them end up voting for Reform.”
Tories Slam ‘Desperate’ Labour
The Conservatives have also blasted the plan, describing it as a last-ditch attempt by Labour to cement its grip on power as public confidence in the government crumbles.
Conservative Party chairman Nigel Huddleston said: “The only people confused on when you become an adult are Labour. Labour can’t decide whether they think 16 or 18-year-olds are adults.
“The reality is after seven disastrous months in power, Labour are clutching at straws in a desperate attempt to swing the next election in their favour.
“With growth flatlining, inflation set to rise and unemployment increasing, Labour should be focused on governing.”
Labour’s Parliamentary Stronghold
Labour’s overwhelming Commons majority means the proposal is likely to pass with ease. Starmer defended the move in his manifesto, saying: “We will increase the engagement of young people in our vibrant democracy by giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all elections.”
The measure forms part of a broader elections Bill, being spearheaded by Angela Rayner, which is also expected to roll back voter ID requirements introduced under the Tories.
If passed, it will be the first time the national voting age has been lowered since 1969, when Harold Wilson’s Labour government cut it from 21 to 18 – just a year before calling a general election.
According to the Telegraph the change would add up to 1.5 million new voters, based on Office for National Statistics data. However, historically, younger voters have been reluctant to turn out. At the last general election, just 37% of 18-24-year-olds cast a ballot.
If 16 and 17-year-olds vote in similar numbers, only around 520,000 would take part.
While Labour expects most new young voters to back them, polling suggests growing support for Reform among younger generations. A recent YouGov survey showed a surge in backing for Farage’s party among under-24s.
Local Elections ‘Cancelled’ in Labour Power Grab
Labour is also under fire for delaying local elections for 5.5 million voters in areas where the party was expected to struggle.
Angela Rayner confirmed that elections would be postponed in Conservative-controlled East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Surrey, as well as independent-run Isle of Wight and Labour-held Thurrock.
Reform UK is now demanding full transparency on how the decision was made. A party spokesman said: “Reform UK MPs are probing what conversations the Deputy Prime Minister has had with local authority leaders and elected representatives in the areas which she decided to cancel the elections.
“We believe that she should be obliged to make public her conversations with those key people, if she has had any in relation to this decision to deny 5.5 million people a chance to vote.”
Labour Digs In
A Government spokesman defended the changes, saying: “This Government was elected on a manifesto that clearly said we would legislate to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections – strengthening our democracy and building an informed, engaged electorate for the future.
“We will take the time required to ensure this change is implemented successfully and are committed to bringing the legislation forward in good time ahead of the next general election.”
But with Labour’s honeymoon period long over and economic turmoil mounting, even 16-year-olds may start realising socialism really is the answer.
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