Overview

• The Labour-led government has formally proposed a bill to grant 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections.
• Under the plan, UK-issued bank cards and digital identity formats would be accepted as valid voter ID at polling stations.
• New campaign finance rules would impose stricter oversight to prevent foreign interference in British elections.
• The overhaul responds to a record-low 59.7% turnout in the 2024 general election and an estimated 750,000 voters disenfranchised by photo-ID requirements.
• Parliamentary approval is required before the changes can be implemented at the 2029 general election.