When was the voting age reduced from 21 to 18 in the UK?

The UK is no stranger to expanding the franchise. The age you have to be to cast a vote in elections has changed many times – each time allowing even more people to participate in our democracy. It is common knowledge that you now have to be 18 years of age to vote in UK parliamentary elections, but this wasn’t always the case. So when did the current voting age come into place?

A Long History of Extending the Franchise

Nowadays, you have to be at least 18 to vote in UK parliamentary elections, which includes general elections and by-elections for MPs.

But before 1918, amongst other conditions – such as whether you owned property – you had to be at least 21 to vote (and women weren’t allowed to vote at all). In 1918, the Representation of the People Act changed the voting age, extending the vote to all men over 21, and women over 30 who met certain property requirements.

The reforms didn’t stop there. In 1928, all women over 21 were given the vote. And in 1969, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18.

Westminster is out of sync with Wales and Scotland

England and Westminster is out of step with Wales and Scotland. In Wales and Scotland, 16 and 17 year olds can vote in local elections, and they can vote to elect representatives to their devolved parliaments. In Wales, 16 and 17 year olds gained the right to vote 2020. In Scotland, they were able to vote in their first election in 2016.

These young people are granted the right to vote in their devolved elections, empowering them to shape their own future while gaining valuable experience in civic responsibility, contributing to their development as well-rounded adults.

So why not grant that right to young people in England, too? It is only by a postcode lottery that these 16 and 17 year olds remain disenfranchised.

Notably, in general elections, where MPs are elected to the House of Commons, 16 and 17 year olds can’t vote in Scotland and Wales, despite being part of their other democratic processes. That’s another pointer that once again, Westminster is failing to modernise and progress.

With every reform, Britain has become more and more democratic, allowing more of its citizens to have a say in how their country is run. With such a long and proud history of extending the franchise, it’s time for Britain to take the next logical step: give 16 and 17 year olds the vote across the UK.

Extending the vote boosts democratic participation

It’s been over five decades since 18-year-olds gained the right to vote. It’s now time for our government to continue its storied history of extending the franchise, because doing so is important for the future health of our democracy.

Lowering the voting age would be likely to increase democratic participation. For a start, when they can vote, 16 and 17 year olds have higher rates of turnout. Research has also shown that the earlier you become engaged in voting, the more likely you are to vote in the future.

This means that lowering the voting age will foster more active citizens going forward into future elections.

Participation is important for democracy for a host of reasons. Increased participation can strengthen the democratic legitimacy of governing bodies, strengthen social cohesion, and increase the accountability of public bodies.

Making the most of civic education

Unlike 18 year olds, most 16 and 17 year olds are still in education. This means that their voting can easily be informed by classes on civic responsibility and the workings of our political system. And there’s evidence that citizenship education, by increasing civic knowledge, improves participation.

It makes sense to give people the vote at a time when they’re both eager to vote and can seamlessly apply their newly gained civic knowledge.

It’s Time to Change the Voting Age Again

There was a time when voting rights were limited to the privileged few. But as our society has grown and changed, the franchise has adapted to reflect our changing democracy.

For years, progress has stalled. It’s time to inject new life into our politics by giving the vote to 16 and 17 year olds across the UK, ensuring the future health of our democracy.