Direct and representative democracy, and the vote

Source · Votes at 16

Supporters argue that the franchise has always widened as society changed, from 1832 to the lowering of the voting age to 18 in 1969. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds already vote in Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections, so one UK voting age would end an inconsistency. They add that voting is a habit: people who vote at their first chance are more likely to keep voting, and at 16 most still live at home and study citizenship at school. Young people can work, pay tax and join the armed forces, so it is fair that they have a say in the decisions that affect them.

Opponents reply that most other adult rights, such as buying alcohol or standing for Parliament, begin at 18, so the voting age should match. They argue that at 16 most people have little experience of paying rent, running a household or working full time, the issues that dominate elections. Turnout among the youngest voters is already the lowest of any age group, so adding younger voters may do little for participation. Some also warn that the change could be seen as helping whichever parties are more popular with the young, which would weaken trust in the rules.