Voting: 16 year olds to be given right to vote through election reforms

National World - News and sport explainers

The government has revealed plans to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in UK-wide elections, bringing the country in line with Scotland and Wales.   #VotingRights #YouthVote #ElectionReform

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00:00On the 17th of July 2025, the UK government published a strategy paper outlining plans

00:05that will ultimately give 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to vote in UK-wide elections.

00:13This will bring UK-wide elections in line with Scotland and Wales,

00:16and is a major step towards meeting one of Labour's key manifesto commitments.

00:23The government said, via a press release on gov.uk,

00:26this will mean young people, who already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military,

00:33will be given the right to vote on issues that affect them.

00:38In order to deliver these changes, the Labour government will have to bring forward an election bill.

00:43A subsequent programme of secondary legislation will set out the details for implementation.

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