Starmer defends lowering voting age to 16, saying people can work and pay tax then so have right to say where money goes - live

<p>Voting age to be lowered to 16 across UK by next general election in major change to democratic system</p><p>While Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, <strong>Keir Starmer</strong> is speaking at the event where he is announcing a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/16/government-uk-charities-campaigners-peaceful-protest-civil-society-covenant">“civil society covenant”</a>.</p><p>There is a live feed here.</p><p>Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/jul/17/keir-starmer-labour-rebels-friedrich-merz-germany-kemi-badenoch-conservatives-reform-nigel-farage-uk-politics-live-news">Continue reading...</a>