Why I'm backing votes at 16

Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of young people from across the Cheadle constituency. I have visited local schools and colleges, welcomed students to Parliament, and held Q&As with sixth formers and youth groups. What has struck me time and again is how engaged, thoughtful and informed these young people are. They care deeply about the issues facing our country – whether it is climate change, the cost of living, education, or mental health – and they want their voices to be heard.

That is why I am proud to support giving 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote.

At 16, young people in the UK can start work, pay taxes, get married with parental consent, and join the armed forces. They are trusted to make serious decisions about their own lives, yet they are still denied the right to have a say at the ballot box. This is not only inconsistent – it is unfair.

Giving young people the vote is not just about fairness. It is about strengthening our democracy. The earlier people become engaged in democratic life, the more likely they are to remain active and informed citizens throughout their lives. Enfranchising 16- and 17-year-olds would help build a healthier, more representative democracy that better reflects the views of the whole population.

I welcome recent moves in Parliament to extend the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds. But this must only be the beginning. The next government needs to go much further to restore trust in our political system. That means scrapping the Conservatives’ restrictive voter ID laws, automatically registering everyone who is eligible to vote, and introducing proportional representation so that every vote truly counts.

Too many people feel that politics does not work for them. Years of sleaze, broken promises and centralisation have left many disillusioned and disconnected. We cannot afford to simply tinker around the edges. We need serious reform that hands power back to communities and makes sure no one is taken for granted.

The Liberal Democrats are committed to building a fairer, more open and more inclusive political system. Backing votes at 16 is a key part of that mission – and I will keep working to make it a reality.