A further 1.5 million teenagers are expected to be enfranchised by the next election in a move which Nigel Farage has warned is an attempt to “rig the political system”.
From today, 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote for the first time, under plans announced by Angela Rayner.
A Merlin Strategy survey of the new voting bloc found 33 per cent of teenagers would vote Labour, 20 per cent would choose Reform, and just 10 per cent back the Conservatives.
The pollster's director Scarlett Maguire said Labour was expected to be “out ahead with younger generations”.
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|A further 1.5 million teenagers are expected to be enfranchised by the next election in a move which Nigel Farage has warned is an attempt to 'rig the political system'
“I think maybe Labour would like to have a bigger lead among these people, but they still have quite a convincing lead over the challenging party, Reform UK,” she said.
However, Reform leader Nigel Farage issued a chilling warning to the Prime Minister.
“It's an attempt to rig the political system but we intend to give them a nasty surprise," Farage said.
Though Labour has dropped controversial plans to give millions of EU nationals the vote, a Tory source jabbed: “This is bare-faced ballot box stuffing”.
“It's a sign of desperation this failing Labour Government is resorting to underhand tactics and rigging extra votes to try and cling on to power for longer,” the source continued.
GB News understands that 16 and 17-year-olds will not be able to stand at either local or parliamentary elections.
Alongside the new age limit, a Voter Authority Certificate will also be created to ensure officers can "meet the digital needs of voters."
Labour has announced it also plans to crack down on "foreign donors" making donations to parties via "shell companies".
PA | Under plans announced by Angela Rayner, 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote for the first time
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline.
"We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen year olds the right to vote.
"We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future."