Making a success of votes at 16

The Labour government has committed to lowering the voting age for Westminster elections from 18 to 16. This proposal raises a number of questions for policymakers to consider. What might be the consequences of widening the franchise in this way? What practical steps will be required to implement this change and – just as importantly – to ensure it works well? In particular, how might teaching about politics in schools need to change? And what can be learned from other elections, in the UK and beyond, in which 16 and 17 year olds are able to vote? An expert panel will discuss these questions.

Speakers:

• Liz Moorse – CEO of the Association for Citizenship Teaching
• Dr Christine Huebner – Lecturer in Quantitative Social Sciences, University of Sheffield
• Marcus Flucker – Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Angus South

Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit