Votes At 16: Is This The Right Decision?

As of the 17th of July 2025, the UK Government announced that around 1.5 million more people will be eligible to vote at the 2029 general election: that is 16 and 17-year-olds.

This decision was made with the intention of boosting democratic engagement and restore faith in democracy amongst young people.

This is not a foreign concept to Scotland and Wales as 16-year-olds have been able to vote in all non-Westminster elections since 2016 and 2021 respectively.

Since the introduction of ‘Votes at 16’ in Scotland, from 1/3 of adults prior to its inception to 60% afterwards, have stated to back the idea. It is evident that involving young people to be active participants of democracy gives them the incentive to vote and be interested in current affairs.

However, there are still doubts from both sides of the argument.

On one hand, there are fears of the introduction of political education in English high-schools could be non-partisian and subsequently indoctrinating the youth to vote for a chosen party.

Furthermore, said indoctrination is feared to be already be happening on TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter). With the rise of AI and election misinformation, it is a genuine concern to hold that the youngest minds of our society will be at risk to fall for deceitful and biased information.

What is not fair, is not to acknowledge that those same arguments can and do apply to adults whom are deemed ‘societally ready’ to hold such an important right that voting is.

I consulted a number of young people regarding the recent decision and an overwhelming majority where in favour mixed with a level of uncertainty.

The overarching sentiment is that not only young people are affected by the choices being debated in Parliament without their input, they already provide a significant contribution to society.

One of the respondents quoted the phrase “There is not taxation without representation” which was used by the colonists against the British Government during the American Revolution.

Ironically, its that same argument that we are seeing mirrored in our society:

Should young people accept lack of representation in politics whilst simultaneously being told that roles such being part of the military is completely within their remit?

Despite many rejoicing the UK Governments decision to implement votes at 16, I hope it is followed by adequate political education in schools.

We can already see the way people from the global majority, lower classes, women and those with disabilities are already not as engaged with politics and that won’t be any different with young people.

The future is for the young people of today, so why not let them vote?

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