A new poll reveals that Keir Starmer’s proposal to lower the voting age to 16 is hugely unpopular with the general public. The Telegraph has the details.
The study also found that the public thinks Labour wants to lower the voting age because of its own electoral self-interest rather than because it will be good for the country.
Labour has said it would extend the franchise for general elections in line with Scotland and Wales, which have already given 16 and 17 year-olds the vote for local elections and those for the devolved assemblies.
Sir Keir said earlier in the campaign: “If you can work, if you can pay tax, if you can serve in your Armed Forces, then you ought to be able to vote.”
However, according to a poll by More in Common of 2,049 adults between May 27th and 29th, the policy is not popular among the general public.
Asked if they support or oppose lowering the voting age to 16, 47% said they opposed the idea with 28% in support.
Changing the question wording to ask if they support or oppose “allowing 16 and 17 year-olds to vote” changed responses slightly with 45% saying they were opposed, compared to 31% who supported it.
The policy lands well with Labour’s base, with people who voted for the party in 2019 overwhelmingly supporting the idea. Of these voters, 53% backed lowering the voting age, with 23% opposed.
However, swing voters who opted for the Conservatives in 2019 but are now backing Labour are divided, with 39% in support and 38% opposed.
Another important voter group dubbed “Whitby Women” – older women who voted for Brexit, do not have a degree, and own their home – overwhelmingly opposes the policy.
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