1.1.2 – A wider franchise and debates over suffrage
1.2 – Political parties
2.2.3 – The legislative process
The government’s Representation of the People Bill passed second reading in the House of Commons on Monday, meaning that the first hurdle to 16- and 17-year-olds being enfranchised has been passed.
The Bill passed comfortably – despite an attempt by the Conservative opposition to prevent the bill being read a second time – with the backing of 410 MPs and just 105 opposed. The Conservative attempt to prevent a second reading was backed by Reform UK, as well as the DUP and TUV from Northern Ireland.
Whilst the bill makes a number of changes to the way elections and voting are conducted – including how electors are registered to vote and tighter rules on political donations – it is the lowering of the voting age that constitutes the most significant change being proposed and has attracted the most divided opinions. In welcoming the government’s proposals, James Naish (Lab, Rushcliffe) described the measure as ‘a statement of confidence in the next generation’. Conversely, Peter Bedford (Con, Mid Leicestershire) said, “It is quite frankly absurd to grant children the right to vote”.
Arguments in favour of lowering the voting age centre on democratic inclusion and fairness, pointing to the different ways 16- and 17-year-olds contribute to society already. The proposed change, it was argued, would encourage political engagement and participation, as well as build on the precedent already set in Scotland and Wales at a devolved level. By contrast, opponents of the change note that under-18s are already restricted from a multitude of things and argue that enfranchising them would itself create inconsistency.
A concern around ‘family voting’ – the practice whereby older family members accompany younger voters to polling booths and influence them to vote a certain way – was also raised, following on from accusations in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton by-election. The suggestion is that lowering the voting age puts young people at risk of coming under undue pressure from family members.
In addition to support from Labour, the bill was backed by the Lib Dems, the SNP, Greens, Plaid, SDLP and Your Party. As well as supporting lowering the voting age, several progressive parties – and some government backbenchers – also called on the government to give consideration to a reform of the voting system. The bill will now move to committee stage and be considered by a Public Bill Committee.