United Kingdom lowers voting age to 16 in biggest reform since 1969: PM Keir Starmer says 'They're old enough to go out to work'
In an interview with ITV News, Starmer clarified the rationale behind his decision, saying:
"They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go."
While the change in voting age is pending parliamentary approval, the Labour party's majority all but ensures it'll pass. However, Keir Starmer's popularity has been in decline since he took office, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party catching up to Labour in the polls.
Keir Starmer fulfils major campaign promise
Keir Starmer and the Labour Party campaigned on electoral reform and empowering younger voters, and with their upcoming Election Bill, they're set to follow through on their promise. Other measures in this Election Bill include expanding voter ID options, tightening regulations on campaign financing and moving towards automatic voter registration.
Kier Starmer is changing the game.The plans have been published in a new strategy paper: - Extend the right to vote in UK-wide elections to 16 and 17-year-olds by next general election - Allow UK-issued bank cards to be used as voter ID at polling stations- Permit use of… pic.twitter.com/HBbKzqZeyR
This change will also standardize voting eligibility laws across the United Kingdom, as the voting age was already 16 in local council elections in Scotland, along with elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd.
The Elections Bill also heralds the biggest reform to the system since 1969's change to the voting age from 21 to 18.
UK right-wingers oppose the reforms
The United Kingdom's right wing has come out in opposition to these voting reforms. Conservative party minister Paul Holmes accused the Government of being 'hopelessly confused', saying:
"Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?"
Paul Holmes take a bow "Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?" #votingage
The Conservative party has also spoken against the usage of bank cards as voter ID, claiming it undermines the integrity of the voting process.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Industry welcomes India-UK trade pact
Ludhiana: The recently signed India-UK FTA, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), has been welcomed as a transformative development for Punjab's industrial landscape by key industry leaders in the region. Upkar Singh Ahuja, president of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, said, "This agreement is a transformative opportunity for Punjab's industrial and economic landscape." He emphasised that it will allow Punjab-based exporters to gain a competitive edge through reduced tariffs and improved market access, leading to a significant increase in exports. "It paves the way for technology exchange, skill development, and joint ventures, particularly MSMEs," he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade & Industrial Undertakings, hailed the pact as a "historic development" that will reshape India-UK trade relations over the next five years. "This landmark pact will double India-UK trade by eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports," Sharma said, adding that labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, garments, footwear, and jewellery would gain the most. Pointing out the implications for Punjab specifically, Sharma said cities like Ludhiana, home to a vast network of textile and hosiery units, and Jalandhar renowned for its sports goods industry, stand to benefit directly. "Zero tariffs on textile exports will allow our manufacturers to compete on equal footing with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Cambodia," he added. The agreement also grants tariff exemptions on exports of basmati rice, fruits, and cotton, major agricultural commodities from Punjab, thus promising a boost for farmers and agro-industries. Sharma further added that the FTA would open up new horizons for young entrepreneurs, especially those working in emerging sectors and advanced manufacturing technologies. BOX BOOST TO BIZ TIES By providing duty-free access to the UK market for key products such as textiles, auto components, tractor parts, and sports goods, including soccer balls, cricket gear, and non-electronic toys, as well as packaged food and vegetables, the FTA will strengthen our manufacturing sectors, known globally for quality and innovation Upkar Singh Ahuja, president, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings This landmark pact will double India-UK trade by eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports. Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, garments, footwear, and jewellery will gain the most Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Trade & Industrial Undertakings
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India-UK Trade Deal: Govt to hold 1,000 outreach programmes
The government will organise as many as 1,000 outreach programmes, including stakeholder meetings , workshops, awareness drives and feedback sessions, in the next 20 days across the country to sensitise industry and states on the India-UK comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA), which was signed on July 24. The exercise is aimed at ensuring effective implementation and maximising benefits from the pact. "There is a plan to hold sector-wise outreach programmes. Teams will also visit different states to inform them about the benefits of this trade agreement," said an official. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Product Management Healthcare MBA MCA CXO Data Science Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Data Science Management Leadership Design Thinking Project Management Degree Technology Operations Management Others healthcare Finance Data Analytics PGDM Public Policy others Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will hold a meeting with the leather and textiles sector on the trade pact here on Monday. "We will meet every sector. We are sensitising sectors and will do sectoral meetings and with all states," the official said on preparing the groundwork for the implementation of the pact. It will come into force after the UK ratifies it, which would take up to a year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glīd Technologies Delivers: The World's First Autonomous Dual-Mobile Road-to-Rail Platform - TechBullion TechBullion Undo When the pact comes into force, 99% of Indian exports will enter the UK duty-free.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
UK PM Starmer to convene cabinet over Gaza amid calls to recognise Palestinian state
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to recall his cabinet next week to address the crisis in Gaza, following mounting pressure from Labour MPs to recognise a Palestinian state read more British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene a cabinet meeting next week, a government source said on Sunday, most likely to discuss the situation in Gaza after coming under growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state. The Financial Times, which initially reported the story, said ministers, currently in a summer recess until September 1, would reconvene to discuss Gaza. Starmer's office did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. The recall comes after Starmer said on Friday the British government would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France in taking swifter action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognise a Palestinian state, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel and the United States, after similar moves from Spain, Norway and Ireland last year. More than 220 members of parliament in the UK, mostly Labour members representing about a third of the House of Commons, wrote to Starmer on Friday urging him to recognise a Palestinian state. Successive British governments have said they will formally recognise a Palestinian state when the time is right, without setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions. Starmer's approach has been complicated by the arrival in Scotland on Friday of U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he has built warm relations. In foreign policy terms, Britain has rarely diverged from the United States. Israel has been facing growing international criticism, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government rejects, over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
