By George Lythgoe

Politicians across Greater Manchester have welcomed the news that 16 and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote at the next general election.

A first for British politics in a general election, it has been dubbed a 'seismic change' which, it is hoped, will modernise UK democracy.

Ministers say this would deliver on one of Labour's key manifesto commitments and help to restore trust in politics.

The move will mean young people, who already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military, will be given the right to vote on the issues that affect them. 

It will bring UK-wide elections in line with Scotland and Wales. As part of the plans, detailed in its manifesto, the government is going further to make sure eligible voters are not deterred from voting.

It will expand voter rules to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of ID at the polling station. 

This will be implemented alongside more digital options to support voters and polling station staff, including allowing accepted IDs such as the Veteran Card and UK driving licence to be used at polling stations when they become available in digital format. 

The plan, announced this week, was widely welcomed by all political parties across the Greater Manchester city-region.

Here is what Stockport borough's three MPs had to say about the news.

Stockport borough's MPs left to right: Lisa Smart, Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove; Tom Morrison, Lib Dem MP for Cheadle; Navendu Mishra, Labour MP for Stockport (Images - UK Parliament)

Navendu Mishra, Member of Parliament for Stockport, said: "I welcome the changes that Labour is delivering to modernise our democracy. Sixteen-year-olds will be given right to vote in next general election, delivering a key manifesto commitment and ushering in the biggest change to our democracy in a generation."

Tom Morrison, MP for Cheadle, said: "Young people have just as much of a stake in our future as anyone else, from the climate crisis to the cost of living, and they deserve a voice in the decisions that affect them.

"Giving 16 and 17 year-olds the vote is a welcome step, but it's only the start. Labour need to stop tinkering around the edges and commit to real democratic reform. That means introducing proper proportional representation, scrapping damaging voter ID laws, and ensuring automatic voter registration so no one is excluded from having their say.

"The Liberal Democrats want to transfer power back to the people. After years of Conservative sleaze, chaos and centralisation, it's time we rebuilt trust in politics by strengthening democratic rights and participation, not undermining them with more of the same from Westminster. Let's give young people a say and start building a fairer, more representative democracy."

Lisa Smart, MP for Hazel Grove, said: "There is much to welcome in the Govt's proposals, including the reduction of the voting age to 16. But there's a danger that young people's enthusiasm for our democracy will be dampened because First Past the Post excludes so many voices from our politics."

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X