Teenagers in the county have shared their thoughts on the bombshell news people as young as 16 can vote in the next UK general election for the first time.
Despite concerns teenagers may be influenced by others, youngsters who spoke to KentOnline said it is a great opportunity for the youth to voice their opinion.
Labour’s manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections.
Isla Winter, 13, said: “I think it’s good. It will show and give people a chance to do something before they’re 18.
“I think people should make their own decisions and not listen to everyone else.
“Politics should be taught more in school, as we’ll have more heads up before voting.”
When asked about her thoughts on whether it’s confusing that she can vote at 16, but can’t drink or drive, the teenager added: “It will give us a chance to practice these important things before doing the others.”
Zuzanna Krawczyk, 15, added: “It’s really great that 16-year-olds can vote in the next election because young people have more opinions than those who are older.
“We know a lot more about things that are going on, and we should be able to voice our opinion too.
“I will vote in the next election. I think we should be taught about it in schools and told how we’ll be able to vote. They shouldn’t give us advice as they can influence us through schools, but they should teach us about it and how to vote.
“Drinking and voting are two very different things. Drinking is bad and addictive, but voting is voicing your opinion and being seen. It’s different, so I’m not confused why we can vote at 16 but not drink or drive.”
Olivia Liu, 13, who says she’s undecided on whether she will vote, said: “I think it’s really good we’re the first generation to vote. It shows the older generations an insight into how we can improve the world.
“If you can vote, you’re considered mature enough to do the other things like drink and drive.
“I think with some help we’ll be fine to vote and make our own choices. It’ll be a mix of researching to find out what we think and what other people think as well.”
Georgie Wraight, 15, says he will vote in the next general election. He added: “I’m pretty excited to be honest. I feel like this generation is becoming more and more aware of politics and is forming opinions on it.
“I feel like they should make younger people more aware of politics, because in school we don’t learn much about it at all. We should be taught about it more.”
Ministers have proposed introducing automated voter registration, which is already used in Australia and Canada, and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “For too long, public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline.
“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.”
Sir Keir Starmer said it was “important” to lower the voting age, as 16-year-olds were old enough to work and “pay in” through tax, so they should “have the opportunity” to say how they wanted their money spent.
But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18% would definitely vote.
Labour stood to gain the most, with 33% saying they would back the party, while 20% said they would choose Reform UK and 18% the Greens.
Naomi Smith, chief executive of campaign group Best for Britain, said the change was “a brave choice set to benefit generations to come”, and urged political parties to “do more to win the votes of the UK’s young people”.
But in the Commons, Conservative shadow communities minister Paul Holmes accused the Government of being “hopelessly confused” about the age of majority.
He said: “Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting in?”
