https://arab.news/887ed
The headline feature of the UK government’s new policy paper to reform and modernize the democratic system is legislating for 16- and 17-year-olds to be able to vote in the next general election. This proposal was already in Labour’s manifesto before last year’s election, albeit surprisingly not featured in the government’s first King’s Speech last summer, which is regarded as the blueprint for the government’s intentions for the following year. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in her usual plain-speaking manner, justified the move by saying: “I was a mum at 16; you can go to work, you can pay your taxes, and I think that people should have a vote at 16.”
She was not wrong, although parts of her argument might be more convincing than others. This decision, which is quite radical, has implications beyond voting rights — and on how we perceive at what age young people cross the threshold into adulthood. It was met with some skepticism regarding Labour’s intentions, with the claim that from a completely utilitarian standpoint, analysis of the last election’s voting patterns by age shows that Labour could gain most at the ballot box. According to an Ipsos poll, 41 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds supported Labour compared with 16 percent who supported Lib Dems and a mere 5 percent who voted for the Conservatives. In this case, adding even younger people to the poll of voters is likely to strengthen the current party in government, especially if it attends to their needs and wishes.
