MP backs new law to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in "boldest" change to British democracy
The draft bill also has other reforms
A city MP has backed a proposed new law that will “deliver one of the boldest and most ambitious changes to Britain’s democracy’ by allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.
Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP, has voted in favour of the Representation of the People Bill with him long been an advocate of lowering the voting age to 16.
Once passed into law, the MP said the bill will “deliver one of the boldest and most ambitious changes to Britain’s democracy for a generation by extending the right to vote in national elections” for 16- and-17-year-olds for the very first time.
The new law would also feature other reforms intended to keep “Britain’s elections secure and encourage more people to engage and participate in our democracy”.
These include expanding acceptable Voter ID to include UK-authorised bank cards, strengthening the postal and proxy voting system, introducing stricter donation regulations and enforcement and improving democracy protections against foreign actors.
Mr Morgan’s support for the Representation of the People Bill not only follows his prior votes in-favour of the bill during previous stages of the legislative process, but also his longstanding advocacy for lowering the voting age to 16 since coming into office.
Mr Morgan said: “I am proud to give my continued support to this bill, which is set to deliver a long-awaited and major change to UK democracy, as promised in our 2024 manifesto.
“Democracy is a fundamental right. However, young people aged 16 and 17 in England have to this day never been given the right to vote in national elections despite being old enough to be taxpayers, renters, carers and join the army.
“It is crucial for Britain’s democracy that everyone who wants to vote is allowed to do so. That is why I have long campaigned for lowering the voting age to 16. Portsmouth people can be reassured that I will continue to support this bill in Parliament to ensure that this much-needed update to our democracy is achieved.”