ANALYSIS

       Sir Keir Starmer will hope today's schoolchildren will grant Labour their votes (Image: Getty)

       Britain is about to embark on a bold experiment, granting 16-year-olds the right to vote in Westminster elections. The consequences could be profound - with teenagers about to have a say on your taxes and your pension. Here are eight ways the new cohort of voters may make their presence felt.

       1. A new kind of voter is here

       Young voters will have the chance to make their presence felt in the multi-party age (Image: SHARED CONTENT UNIT)

       For decades parties have targeted voters who think hard their tax and mortgage costs before casting a vote. Teenagers will now have a say on which party should set the country’s tax rates – and they may well decide older voters should pay a greater chunk of their income to the state to fund the services they want to use.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       Retired? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath

       665 Comments

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

       18 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       168 Comments

       BBC Breakfast fans say ‘it's over for Keir Starmer' as Labour minister turns on colleagues

       5 Comments

       Labour considers handing parents ￡3,514 benefits windfall with end of two-child cap

       Comments

       Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet

       68 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer warned 'rigging' next election with votes at 16 will backfire on Labour

       146 Comments

       Explosive new poll suggests Jeremy Corbyn party already neck-and-neck with Keir Starmer

       101 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer thinks 16-year-old votes plan is a winner - it will backfire spectacularly

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves set to hammer rich as Labour cabinet member makes admission live on BBC

       122 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Lee Anderson's hilarious 6-word response after voter calls him a ‘grade A c***'

       61 Comments

       Reform UK says Nigel Farage is PM in waiting after new poll boost tears apart Starmer

       137 Comments

       ED Relief That Lasts: Men 50+Men's Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath

       665 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

       18 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       168 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       BBC Breakfast fans say ‘it's over for Keir Starmer' as Labour minister turns on colleagues

       5 Comments

       Labour considers handing parents ￡3,514 benefits windfall with end of two-child cap

       Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet

       68 Comments

       Keir Starmer warned 'rigging' next election with votes at 16 will backfire on Labour

       146 Comments

       Explosive new poll suggests Jeremy Corbyn party already neck-and-neck with Keir Starmer

       101 Comments

       Keir Starmer thinks 16-year-old votes plan is a winner - it will backfire spectacularly

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves set to hammer rich as Labour cabinet member makes admission live on BBC

       122 Comments

       Lee Anderson's hilarious 6-word response after voter calls him a ‘grade A c***'

       61 Comments

       Reform UK says Nigel Farage is PM in waiting after new poll boost tears apart Starmer

       137 Comments

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       Labour is already suffering from a reputation for high taxes after Rachel Reeves's last Budget which delivered the shock increase in National Insurance Contributions. Sir Keir will find it harder to push against demands for wealth taxes if millions of teenagers are pushing for the rich to make a bigger contribution.

       2. Aspiring MPs may feel compelled to do a dance on TikTok

       Social media is already a political battlefield but every serious candidate will attempt to reach young voters by using whatever apps are in fashion at the next election. There will be greater concern that ever about “misinformation” being spread online.

       Powered By

       00:00/01:40

       10 Sec

       100.2K

       13

       Suspected migrant dinghy evades French patrol vessels

       Next

       Stay

       The Liberal Democrats' Sir Ed Davey enjoys performing attention-grabbing stunts and Reform UK's Nigel Farage has more than a million followers on TikTok. If Sir Keir leads the party into the next election he will have to compete with these meme-makers.

       Sponsored

       Graddi | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       The Electric Cat Toys Is Taking Las Vegas By Storm

       Undo

       3. Labour and the Greens will be in fierce competition

       There will be suspicion in Tory ranks that lowering the voting age is a Labour wheeze to allow Left-leaning young people to cast a vote. At the last election, Ipsos found Labour had its highest share of the voter among 25-34 year-olds (47%).

       But Sir Keir Starmer’s party may have little appeal for young radicals who want something bolder.

       Green Party candidates will hope that teenagers who want much dramatic action on net zero will cast their first votes for them. If Jeremy Corbyn does lead a new party, it will also reach out to young idealists.

       However, teenage voters may also decide to give the traditional parties of power a shock by voting Reform.

       4. Young people will demand the right to stand for election.

       If you can be trusted with a vote at 16, why should you be denied the chance to stand for election? Ambitious youngsters will argue that for their voice to be heard in the House of Commons they need to do more than cast votes – they need members of their generation on the green benches.

       Sir Keir's reform risks looking half-hearted if young citizens are barred from Westminster.

       5. Tuition fees will be back on the agenda

       Voters who are wondering whether it is worth going to university will demand the return of free tuition fees and generous grants. If the country needs skilled workers to prosper, they will argue it should invest in their education.

       Why, they will ask, does the state provide free education up to the age of 18 but force young people into debt for earning a degree?

       Labour ended the era of free university tuition on Tony Blair's watch. The Chancellor will make it clear to the PM there is no spare cash to fund Scottish-style free higher education.

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       6. The triple lock could come under attack

       Teenagers love their grandparents but as they confront a ferociously competitive jobs market they may ask why older citizens are guaranteed state pension increases of at least 2.5%. It is already under attack from economists so champions of this protection against old age poverty need to make the case for it continuing to cash-strapped young voters.

       Sir Keir has already antagonised this powerful voting bloc (who are much more likely to take part in elections than younger citizens) by taking away universal entitlement to winter fuel payments. His bridge-building exercise will be even harder if young activists want to rein-in spending on senior citizens.

       7. Young voters will demand increases in foreign aid

       Many charities are appalled at the cuts to foreign aid to fund increased expenditure on defence. Campaigners will push young people to demand a reversal in the cuts, appealing to their idealism and desire to fix a broken world.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath

       665 Comments

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

       18 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       168 Comments

       BBC Breakfast fans say ‘it's over for Keir Starmer' as Labour minister turns on colleagues

       5 Comments

       Labour considers handing parents ￡3,514 benefits windfall with end of two-child cap

       Comments

       Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet

       68 Comments

       Over 55? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer warned 'rigging' next election with votes at 16 will backfire on Labour

       146 Comments

       Explosive new poll suggests Jeremy Corbyn party already neck-and-neck with Keir Starmer

       101 Comments

       Retired? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer thinks 16-year-old votes plan is a winner - it will backfire spectacularly

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves set to hammer rich as Labour cabinet member makes admission live on BBC

       122 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Lee Anderson's hilarious 6-word response after voter calls him a ‘grade A c***'

       61 Comments

       Reform UK says Nigel Farage is PM in waiting after new poll boost tears apart Starmer

       137 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom | Sponsored Sponsored

       Try Now

       Undo

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Business Sneakers Taking Nevada By StormWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates worth switchingHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       Keir Starmer sacks MPs over 'persistent k***headery' in political bloodbath

       665 Comments

       Scientists Reveal a Shocking Link Between Dementia and This Common...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

       18 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       168 Comments

       Experts Urge Seniors With Memory Loss To Take This Key Nutrient DailyMemory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       BBC Breakfast fans say ‘it's over for Keir Starmer' as Labour minister turns on colleagues

       5 Comments

       Labour considers handing parents ￡3,514 benefits windfall with end of two-child cap

       Comments

       The Dress Shoe that Conquered ComfortWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Order Now

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch has Slippery Starmer on the run over tax hikes

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet

       68 Comments

       Keir Starmer warned 'rigging' next election with votes at 16 will backfire on Labour

       146 Comments

       Explosive new poll suggests Jeremy Corbyn party already neck-and-neck with Keir Starmer

       101 Comments

       Keir Starmer thinks 16-year-old votes plan is a winner - it will backfire spectacularly

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves set to hammer rich as Labour cabinet member makes admission live on BBC

       122 Comments

       Lee Anderson's hilarious 6-word response after voter calls him a ‘grade A c***'

       61 Comments

       Reform UK says Nigel Farage is PM in waiting after new poll boost tears apart Starmer

       137 Comments

       Carole Malone's furious one-word Labour verdict as GB News halts for vote 'breaking news'

       161 Comments

       Starmer thinks he's clever letting kids vote - but he's played right into Farage's hands

       192 Comments

       Disaster for Labour as fresh poll reveals how many Brits would vote for Corbyn's new party

       142 Comments

       Nigel Farage issued warning after claims he's 'peaking too soon' to become PM

       185 Comments

       Labour warned tobacco ban will send Red Wall hopes up in smoke

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       98 Comments

       Reform UK council leader writes to Yvette Cooper calling for migration changes to be eased

       360 Comments

       The Shoe That is Quietly Taking Over Men’s...Wolf & Shepherd

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Reques...Dexcom

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Top 2025 Elegant Bathing SolutionsKnowledge Knower

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Woman Lives in a 1 Dollar Home - Take a Look...Tips and Tricks

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Sir Keir has led European efforts to ramp up defence spending and will not want this opposed at home. Young voters may accuse him of deserting the globe's poorest citizens.

       8. MPs will spend more time hanging about in classrooms

       A visit to a school is now chance for an MP to get face to face with first-time voters. In a tight election, the young people asking difficult questions could swing the result.

       Ambitious politicos cannot afford to turn down an invitation from a headteacher to be grilled in a classroom. The challenge for Labour candidates is they are now defenders of the status quo - and by the time of the next election pupils may be hungry for change.

       Read more: Nigel Farage warns Labour that plan to let 16 year olds vote will backfire

       Read more: 'Starmer thinks he’s clever letting kids vote but he's played to Farage's hands'

       Read Next