The UK government has announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 for all UK elections, aiming to increase youth participation in democracy. If approved by Parliament, the move will bring the rest of the UK in line with Scotland and Wales, where 16- and 17-year-olds can already vote in devolved elections. Deputy PM Angela Rayner said the reforms are part of efforts to "break down barriers to participation." The changes come amid concerns over declining voter turnout, with the 2024 general election seeing just 59.7 per cent participation, the lowest since 2001. Research cited by Parliament suggests that 16-year-olds are more likely to vote than those turning 18. Crackdown on foreign influence Alongside enfranchising younger voters, the reform package includes strict new rules to counter foreign interference and financial loopholes in political donations. Key changes include: Closing legal loopholes that allow foreign money to enter UK elections via shell companies. Requiring political parties to verify that donor companies generate income in the UK or Ireland. Imposing stronger fines — up to £500,000 — for violations. Making false or misleading donor declarations a criminal offence. Though the package was welcomed by transparency campaigners, it stops short of introducing a cap on individual political donations. Currently, any UK-registered company can donate to a political party regardless of its origin, activity, or ownership — a loophole the government now aims to address through new legitimacy tests. (With Inputs from Reuters)
