Teens in the United Kingdom were recently deemed too irresponsible to use social media and user-generated online content. Yet, the government has deemed it appropriate to now permit teens to begin voting in elections at the age of 16.
The Labour Party has been pushing legislation to permit 16-year-olds to vote. Coupled with digital IDs, teens will be permitted to apply for proper credentials as the UK moves toward an “increasingly automated voter registration system.”
“For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said. “We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.”
Young voters are the least likely demographic to cast a vote. In the UK’s 2024 general election, voter turnout for the 18-24 year-old demographic was only 47%. Yet, the youth tend to favor the Labour Party, leading many to believe this measure is an attempt to buy votes. As Winston Churchill famously said, “If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart; if you’re not a conservative when you’re old, you have no brain.”
The government forces this demographic to pay taxes on earnings over £12,570. They must pay into the National Insurance fund from age 16 if they earn above the limit, with the government currently taking £242 per week. Teens as young as 15 years and 7 months may join the Army, and those 16 years of age of older may begin basic training with parental consent. However, they cannot serve in active armed operations until they turn 18.
Are 16 and 17-year-olds responsible enough to vote? If the government deems they responsible enough to begin training to fight and pay taxes, then perhaps the youth should be permitted to select who will lead them into war and dip into their pockets. Better yet, stop sending kids off to die in foreign wars and dissuading the youth from seeking out entry-level roles with taxation. If they’re responsible enough to select the leader of their nation, they should be able to access the internet freely and be exposed to a wide range of voices and opinions, rather than what the government labels as information or misinformation.
