Voting age could be reduced under new reforms because young people are the future'

"The reason the Bill extends the vote to younger people aged 16, 17 years old is simple. It's because young people are our nation's future. The voting age has stood at 18 since it was lowered from 21 by the Representation of the People Act in 1969."

"This expansion of the franchise, part of the Representation of the People Bill, follows previous eligibility for Welsh and Scottish Parliament elections, and Scotland's 2014 independence referendum. The Bill also includes new rules on automatic voter registration, restrictions on foreign donations, and measures to prevent intimidation of candidates and election staff."

The UK government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which proposes granting 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in national elections for the first time. Government officials justify this expansion by stating young people represent the country's future. This change follows previous voting eligibility granted to younger voters in Welsh and Scottish Parliament elections and Scotland's 2014 independence referendum. The Bill encompasses additional electoral reforms, including automatic voter registration, restrictions on foreign donations, and measures to prevent intimidation of candidates and election staff. The legislation would also repeal the government's ability to designate strategy and policy statements for the Electoral Commission. The voting age has remained at 18 since 1969.

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