Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A commitment to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 will be included in the next Labour manifesto, the shadow Justice Secretary signalled today.
Sadiq Khan argued the move would help to reinvigorate politics by involving teenagers at a younger age.
“The evidence we have is that if you vote the first time you are entitled to, you will carry on doing so through your life,” he said.
“There are more things that 16-17-year-olds can do - work, pay national insurance and tax, have sexual relationships, get married and enter civil partnerships and join the armed forces.”
The move follows last year's announcement that 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to take part in the Scottish independence referendum next year. It also gives Labour common cause with the Liberal Democrats, who have long supported the move.
Lowering the franchise age is opposed by the Conservatives, who say 18 is the age adopted by most western democracies.
Lord Adonis, a policy adviser to Mr Miliband, has floating the idea of setting up polling stations in secondary schools on general election days to encourage teenagers to “become citizens and to value democracy”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments