The UK government has confirmed plans to lower the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. This change will come into effect by the next general election, which is expected to be no later than 2029 but could be called earlier.
The reform, announced in July 2025 as part of a new election bill, fulfills a pre-election promise made by the Labour Party. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that young people aged 16-17 already work, pay taxes, and can serve in the armed forces, so they should have a say on issues that affect their future.
This will be the biggest expansion of voting rights since 1969, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds already vote in regional and local elections, and the new reform will standardize the rules across the country, including England and Northern Ireland.
It is estimated that the change will affect about 1.6 million teenagers aged 16-17, which is less than 3% of the total number of voters over the age of 16. Experts note that the impact on election results will be minimal, as youth turnout is traditionally lower, and studies in other countries (such as Austria and Brazil) show no significant shift in voting outcomes.
Opponents, including conservatives and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, criticize the reform, calling it “inconsistent” — after all, 16-year-olds will not be able to run for parliament, buy alcohol, or get married without permission. However, supporters emphasize that the measure will increase youth engagement in democracy and encourage political education in schools.
The bill must pass through Parliament, where Labour has a majority, making its adoption likely. This decision makes the UK one of the few countries in the world with voting rights from the age of 16, along with Austria, Brazil, and Cuba.