
KEY POINTS
- Digital voter ID and automated registration planned
- Bank cards to be accepted at polling stations
- Clampdown on foreign political donations and shell companies
Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds across the United Kingdom will soon be able to vote in all elections, following sweeping electoral reforms unveiled by the government on Wednesday. The changes, outlined in a new strategy paper, represent one of the most significant transformations in British democratic history and aim to 'restore trust in politics' through the government's Plan for Change.
The landmark announcement delivers on a key manifesto pledge to widen political participation, especially among the country's youth. While Scotland and Wales had already extended voting rights to 16-year-olds in local and devolved elections, this marks the first time that voting rights will be uniform across all UK-wide polls.
Rebuilding Public Trust In Politics
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner hailed the move as a vital corrective to declining faith in democratic institutions. 'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline,' she said. 'We are taking action to break down barriers to participation... and deliver on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen-year-olds the right to vote.'
Young people, she added, already contribute to society through work, taxation, and even military service. Giving them a say in national decision-making is a logical and long-overdue step forward.

Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali echoed the sentiment, calling the reforms 'a generational step forward.'
'We are modernising our democracy so that it is fit for the 21st century,' she said. 'By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations.'
New Voter ID Rules Aim to Improve Accessibility
The government also announced a series of measures designed to make voting more accessible. A major policy shift will now allow voters to use UK-issued bank cards as valid ID at polling stations—an expansion on previous reforms that included Veterans ID cards.
During the 2024 General Election, a number of voters were put off by ID requirements at polling stations. According to figures from the Electoral Commission, around 4% of those who didn't vote pointed to the lack of acceptable ID as a reason, translating to roughly 750,000 people across Britain.
In an effort to address this, ministers plan to introduce a digital version of the Voter Authority Certificate. It's part of a wider push to make voting more straightforward, including proposals to automate parts of the registration process. The idea is to save people from repeatedly filling in the same forms and to help ensure more voters don't slip through the cracks. Officials say they're looking to models in countries like Australia and Canada, where similar systems have worked well.
Tackling Foreign Influence Through Donation Reforms
The proposals don't stop there. The government is also targeting political donations—specifically, how money makes its way into party coffers. Under the new rules, so-called 'shell companies' won't be able to funnel funds into UK politics without proper checks. There will be tighter rules for donations over £500 coming from unincorporated groups, too.
Political parties will be expected to carry out more rigorous vetting of donors to make sure contributions are above board and not linked to foreign interests. To ensure the rules are properly enforced, the Electoral Commission will be handed tougher powers, including the authority to issue fines of up to £500,000 ($670,340) for serious breaches. The government plans to introduce a new elections bill to formally put these changes into law, with further details to follow through secondary legislation. With its sights firmly set on transparency, accessibility and inclusivity, the government believes these reforms will 'strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.'
As Rayner put it, 'We cannot take our democracy for granted.' And with 16-year-olds soon to cast their first votes, Britain's next generation of citizens may help shape a more participatory, resilient political future.