Activists call for voting age to be lowered to 16 'as young people are more engaged in politics'

In partnership with The Body Shop UK and the British Youth Council, young campaigners are joining forces to lower the voting age to 16.< /p> The British believe that the younger generation deserves a say in its future (

Image: SWNS)

One in three (34%) think the legal voting age should be lowered to 16, according to a poll.

A study of 2,000 adults found that 42% believe real change could happen if youth voices were heard from an early age.

Half (49%) of people aged 25-34 think 16-year-olds should be able to vote, compared to 17% of those over 65 who think the same.

But while 49% of all respondents don't think 16-year-olds should be able to vote, 64% admitted they wish they could at that age.

Of those who don't think 16-year-olds should have the right to vote, seven in 10 think so because of their lack of life experience.

The research was commissioned by The Body Shop, who alongside the British Youth Council are calling on the government to lower the voting age to 16 across the UK, with a .

Young campaigners across the UK are demanding the right to vote for 16 and 17 year olds (

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SWNS)

The brand has also created a tool to find out who you might vote for in the upcoming general election based on your thoughts on a wide range of topics.

Maddie Smith, Managing Director UK & Ireland at The Body Shop, said: "Today's young people are more engaged in politics than ever before, and their representation in politics is having an impact. on all of us.

“Critics often think 16 and 17 is too young, but these age groups have already demonstrated their high level of understanding, brilliant ideas and fiery commitment to the causes they care about. .

"Not to mention the fact that many decisions made today, over which they have no say yet, will have a direct impact on their future.

"If we are to secure long-term empowerment and abolish the voting inequality that exists for young voters across the UK, we must lower the voting age to 16, opening up our democratic system to enable young people to enjoy their full rights as members of the electorate."

The study found that, across all age groups, 34% believe the legal voting age should be lowered to 16 for all UK elections, half of which...