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The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
UK youth celebrate voting rights but urge caution
FILE PHOTO: A man unlocks his bicycle after voting at a polling station in Rickmansworth, Britain, May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/File Photo (Corrects name spelling in paragraph 2) LONDON (Reuters) -Sixteen- and 17-year-olds celebrated their newly granted right to vote in all UK elections on Thursday, but cautioned that proper education was vital to boost turnout and protect young voters from political misinformation on social media. "I'm really happy about it because I've always been kind of frustrated just watching politics and not being able to do anything," said 16-year-old student Matthew Caronna, adding that many government policies directly impact young people. In a major overhaul of the country's democratic system, the government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. "A lot of people, even from a very young age, have very strong opinions, and they think their opinions should be heard," Ana Fonseca, 16, said. "Even though we are young, it is important to have a say." Jess Garland, director of policy and research at the Electoral Reform Society, said lowering the voting age to 16 could have a long-term impact, as starting to vote earlier may increase the likelihood of continued participation in adulthood. There are about 1.6 million 16- and 17-year-olds in the UK. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029. "We know that democracy across the world... is in a bit of a bad place at the moment... and this is why vote at 16 is such a great opportunity to just start to turn the tide on that doom and gloom outlook," Garland added. Some young people, however, are concerned about to which side of the political spectrum the new voters might swing. A poll of 500 16- and 17-year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33% said they would vote Labour, 20% would vote Reform, 18% would vote Green, 12% Liberal Democrats and 10% Conservative. "All the right-leaning sources get pushed far more than the left-leaning ones (on social media)," Matilda Behrendt, a 17-year-old student, warned. "I think that will be a problem but it also means... various political ideologies can be spread and the ideas can be put across." Julian Gallie, head of research at pollsters Merlin Strategy, said political parties will need to further step up their social media efforts to engage voters under 18. (Reporting by Vitalii Yalahuzian and Catarina Demony; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Nia Williams)
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
British group Palestine Action seeks to pause government ban
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People wave Palestinian flags during a protest after British lawmakers voted to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, outside Downing Street in London, Britain, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett LONDON - A co-founder of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action asked a London court on Friday to pause a British government decision to ban it under anti-terrorism laws, a move her lawyers said was an "authoritarian abuse" of the law. Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to stop the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, before a full hearing of her case that banning Palestine Action is unlawful later this month. British lawmakers this week decided to ban the group in response to its activists breaking into a Royal Air Force base and damaging two planes, a protest against what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Proscription would make it a crime to be a member of Palestinian Action that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Proscribed groups under British law include Islamic State and al Qaeda. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain with direct action. Critics of the government's decision, including some United Nations experts and civil liberties groups, say damaging property does not amount to terrorism. "This is the first time in our history that a direct action, civil disobedience group which does not advocate for violence has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists," Ammori's lawyer, Raza Husain, told the court. Husain described the government's decision as "an ill-considered, discriminatory, authoritarian abuse of statutory power that is alien to the basic tradition of the common law". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts Singapore NTUC says some foreigners taking on platform work illegally, calls for work group to address issue World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, said this week that "violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protests". Husain said that "one may disagree with what Palestine Action do and think that criminal damage, trespass and burglary are wrong", but that designation the group as a terrorist organisation was "an abuse of language". A decision on whether to pause Palestine Action's impending proscription is expected later on Friday. REUTERS
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
UK's Palestine Action bids to pause government ban
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People wave Palestinian flags during a protest after British lawmakers voted to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, outside Downing Street in London, Britain, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett LONDON - Pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action's co-founder on Friday asked a London court to pause the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, with her lawyers arguing the move was an "authoritarian abuse" of the law. British lawmakers decided to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation this week, in response to its activists breaking into a military base and damaging two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, on a par with Islamic State or al Qaeda, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain with direct action, but critics of the government's move say property damage should not be equated with terrorism. Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to pause the group's proscription – which comes into force at midnight – pending a full legal challenge due to be heard later this month. Her lawyer Raza Husain told London's High Court: "This is the first time in our history that a direct action, civil disobedience group which does not advocate for violence has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists." Husain described the government's decision as "an ill-considered, discriminatory, authoritarian abuse of statutory power that is alien to the basic tradition of the common law". REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts Singapore NTUC says some foreigners taking on platform work illegally, calls for work group address issue World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Keir Starmer hints he will back assisted dying bill ahead of crunch vote
Keir Starmer hints he will back assisted dying bill ahead of crunch vote The result of Friday's expected vote could see the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill either progress to the House of Lords or fall completely Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA ) The Prime Minister has indicated he will back the assisted dying Bill ahead of a crunch vote, as opponents warned against legislation they say is not safe enough to protect the most vulnerable. The result of Friday's expected vote could see the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill either progress to the House of Lords or fall completely. Sir Keir Starmer, who voted yes in November and also supported a 2015 attempt to legislate for assisted dying, said his position on the issue is "long-standing and well-known" – giving no suggestion his mind had changed on the matter. Friday will be the first time the Bill has been voted on in its entirety since last year's historic yes vote, when MPs supported the principle of assisted dying for England and Wales by a majority of 55. MPs are entitled to have a free vote on the Bill, meaning they decide according to their conscience rather than along party lines. While supporters of the Bill say it is coming back to the Commons with better safeguards after more than 90 hours of parliamentary time spent on it to date, opponents claim the process has been rushed and that changes to the Bill mean it is now weaker than it was when first introduced. Article continues below This week, dozens of Labour MPs opposed to the Bill urged a delay to the vote. Asked whether he thought they were wrong to do so, Sir Keir told reporters in Canada: "It is a matter for individual parliamentarians, which is why I've not waded in with a view on this publicly, and I'm not going to now it's coming to a conclusion. "There has been a lot of time discussing it, both in Parliament and beyond Parliament, and quite right too. It's a really serious issue. "My own position is long-standing and well-known in relation to it, based on my experience when I was chief prosecutor for five years, where I oversaw every case that was investigated." While the Prime Minister is among the high-profile supporters of the Bill, both Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against it in November. Meanwhile, Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter said she is "really hopeful" the Bill can pass the major vote, as she warned against "scaremongering" by opponents. Rebecca Wilcox, the daughter of the terminally ill broadcaster and Childline founder Dame Esther, said: "We are really hopeful that we have the numbers (in the Commons). "We obviously want people to keep writing to their MP, saying that they support the Bill, because we know that nationally the numbers are with us." Ms Wilcox described the Bill as a "really safe, clever piece of law" and insisted its safeguards would ensure it is not extended beyond its current scope of terminally ill adults while it would improve on the "cruel status quo that exists at the moment". Responding to warnings from opponents around those with depression or eating disorders being more vulnerable to being caught up in a new law, Ms Wilcox urged people against "scaremongering". She said: "Yes, you may be depressed because you have a terminal diagnosis, but that's not to do with it. You can't just be depressed. You can't just have an eating disorder. "And this is an example of some of the scaremongering that has been going on on the other side of the debate, and I completely understand that they are desperate to stop it, but if you are desperate to stop it, please don't exaggerate the truth. Please don't exaggerate a lie." Speaking during a debate on amendments to the Bill last week, Labour MP Rupa Huq warned that "in a cost-of-living crisis, assisted dying could be quite attractive", as she pledged to be a "voice of the voiceless". She said while she probably would have supported such a Bill in her younger years, "10 years of being an MP has exposed me to coercion, duress, the millionaire price of London property and elder abuse". She added: "We know that Esther Rantzen wants this. We know Jonathan Dimbleby wants this. But our role is to be the voice of the voiceless as well." Asked about her mother – who has terminal cancer and has been outspoken in campaigning for a change in the law – Ms Wilcox said Dame Esther is "coping" as she nears her 85th birthday this weekend. She told Sky: "She's coping. This has been a long slog, and we're hoping that we can maybe have a rest this weekend, particularly as it is her birthday on Sunday. "So we are so grateful and so appreciative of all the time that we have with her, particularly as she turns 85 looking rather fabulous." Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of opposition campaign group Care Not Killing, said their polling had suggested the public "is deeply concerned that this Bill could put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives prematurely". He added: "These problems will be compounded if Parliament continues to rush this legislation, fails to restore safeguards such as the scrutiny of the High Court and fixing palliative and end-of-life care in the UK, which is in crisis. "This is why, day by day, more and more disabled people, doctors, nurses, lawyers and campaigners are urging MPs to kill the Bill, not the sick and vulnerable." Article continues below As it stands, the proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
US judge blocks Trump passport policy targeting transgender people
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he attends a family photo session during the G7 Summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/File Photo
