Keir Starmer torn aside over ‘absurd’ plan to let 16-year-olds vote if Labour wins | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of “student union politics” after confirming he desires 16 and 17-year-olds to have the ability to vote.

The Labour chief insisted that anybody paying tax ought to “have a say” in how their cash is spent.

Speaking on the marketing campaign path in Staffordshire over the weekend, Sir Keir mentioned: “Yes, I want to see both 16 and 17-year-olds.

“If you may work, when you pays tax, when you can serve in your armed forces, then you definitely ought to have the ability to vote.”

But Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis said: “This is student union politics. Simple as that. It’s just the same old Labour.”

A Conservative source added: “This is nothing greater than a blatant try to stack future elections in Labour’s favour.

“Everyone is aware of you turn out to be an grownup while you flip 18, and that comes with quite a few rights together with the proper to vote and the tasks that include it.”

Reform UK leader Richard Tice also hit out at Sir Keir’s “absurd” suggestion.

Mr Tice said: “They are nonetheless youngsters. By authorized definition. Obliged to be in schooling, not allowed to smoke or drink or battle within the navy. It is absurd to suppose they might be allowed to vote.”

The transfer would imply round 1.5 million kids can be given the proper to vote.

It can be the most important change since 1969 when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.

Younger persons are extra prone to again Labour, though they’re much less prone to end up on polling day.

It comes after studies {that a} change to the voting age is probably going seem within the King’s Speech if Labour wins the July 4 normal election.

However there is no such thing as a agency indication of how shortly the coverage can be applied.