We urge the Government not to extend the voting franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all UK elections, including general elections. We think that the voting age should exist in line with the age of adulthood.

We think the proposed changes to the voting age would be detrimental to democracy. We think 16 and 17 year olds are unlikely to have a wide range of experiences. Under law, they are deemed not mature or responsible enough to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, buy a lottery ticket, or marry. Many sixteen year olds may not be in employment, with many still at school. We think the proposed changes to the voting age would be arbitrary, unnecessary and could be harmful to democracy.