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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Archie Mitchell

MP says allowing 16-year-olds to vote will distract them from GCSE’s

Claire Coutinho
  • A senior Tory, Claire Coutinho, has warned against lowering the voting age to 16, arguing it would distract teenagers from their exams.
  • Ms Coutinho stated that elections often occur during exam season (May-July), adding unnecessary pressure on 16 and 17-year-olds.
  • The government has announced the voting age will be lowered to 16 for the next election, expected by summer 2029, allowing approximately 1.5 million more teenagers to vote.
  • This change will align UK-wide elections with Scotland and Wales and represents the biggest alteration to the electorate since 1969.
  • Keir Starmer has encouraged 16-year-olds to be politically engaged as they can be in the future of their country.

IN FULL

Top Tory says 16-year-olds shouldn’t vote because it will ‘distract them from exams’

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