Will Labour’s gamble on votes for 16-year-olds backfire? | Alastair Campbell and Andrew Marr on LBC
As Labour unveils plans for 16 and 17-year-olds to be allowed to cast their vote in time for the next general election, Andrew Marr speaks to Alastair Campbell to find out his view.
Campbell, who previously served as Tony Blair’s Communications Chief, admits there’s ‘risks’ involved with the decision, but ultimately says he’s ‘very excited’ about the proposal.
The government intends to introduce new legislation aimed at lowering the voting age by two years, claiming the change would help “boost democratic engagement.”
While Labour pledged to reduce the voting age to 16 in its election manifesto, the proposal was notably absent from last summer’s King’s Speech, which outlines the government’s upcoming priorities.
Keir Starmer said: “I think it’s really important that 16- and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they are old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes, so pay in.
“And I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the Government should go.”
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Credit to : LBC
