Andrew Neil warned Sir Keir Starmer “could be in for a shock” over his plan to slash the voting age. Labour is set to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote at the next general election under controversial proposals announced yesterday.
But Neil suggested young voters could be more likely to flock to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, the Greens and Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing party. The veteran broadcaster wrote on X: “Under-18s are deemed too young to buy alcohol or a lottery ticket, smoke cigarettes, get married (in England), fight in the military or sit on juries. But now they can have the vote.
“Labour thinks it will benefit from 16/17-year-olds getting the vote. It could be in for a shock — I suspect Reform, the Greens and J Corbyn’s new Jezbollah party are way more popular with this demographic.”
Labour’s manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections.
The Prime Minister insisted the change was “important” as 16-year-olds are old enough to work and “pay in” through tax, so should “have the opportunity” to say how they wanted their money spent.
But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted for ITV News by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18% would definitely vote.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said younger voters were increasingly turning to his insurgent party, even though he did not support lowering the voting age.
The Clacton MP said: “It’s an attempt to rig the political system but we intend to give them a nasty surprise.”
Conservative shadow communities minister Paul Holmes accused the Government of being “hopelessly confused” about the age of majority.
He said: “Why does this Government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting in?”
The Electoral Reform Society welcomed the move, saying it would “strengthen democracy” and get young people into the habit of voting.