hurdle revision

FOR LOWERING VOTING AGE

• Extending franchise breaks the cycle of not voting- greater turnout

• Direct democratic responsibility provided= legitimacy

• Anti paternalistic argument

• 16-17 year olds only matter in constituencies where numbers exceed winning margin

Extending franchise breaks the cycle of not voting- greater turnout

• If implemented, around 1.6 million new voters would be added to electorate

• 2014- Scottish Independence Referendum = 75% turnout

• Compared to 54% turnout of 18-24 year old

• 16 and 17 year olds can vote in local councils and members of Welsh/Scottish parliaments

16-17 year olds only matter in constituencies where numbers exceed winning margin

• 2024 around 120 constituencies had (18%) more 16-17 year olds than winning margins

• BUT voting turnout isn’t 100%

• Extending franchise = symbolically important but has limited practical electoral impact under FPTP

Anti paternalistic argument

• 16 year olds can pay taxes and join army

• Assuming they are incompetent is patronising and harms democracy

AGAINST LOWERING VOTING AGE

• Paternalistic argument

• Gerrymandering- boosting anti-Tory electorate

• Steady decline in youth voting

Gerrymandering

• Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused Labour of attempting to rig future elections

• Conservative leader Rishi Sunak said this would be electorally helpful for Labour rather than a principled change

• Demographic dividing line = 2024- 42% of 18-24 year olds voted Labour which is 7 times higher than Conservatives

Paternalistic argument

• 16 year olds are too young and immature to vote

• Influenced by social media BUT could implement political education in schools as mandatory

• 2024- Populist party in Germany AfD most adept on TikTok → did well among youngest voters (16% support from 16-24)

• Tripling the party’s share in the demographic following targeted social media campaign

Steady decline in youth voting

• 1979 General election= 63% of 18-24 year olds voted which dropped to 55% in 2019

• Risks disengaged voters lowering turnout even more and weakening democratic legitimacy