A Bill to reduce the voting age to 16 in general elections, elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the European Parliament, local government elections and referendums; to make provision about young people’s education in citizenship and the constitution; and for connected purposes.
This Bill would lower the voting age to 16 for most UK elections and referendums, including general elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the European Parliament. It also introduces educational provisions to improve young people’s knowledge of citizenship and the constitution, with the aim of boosting informed civic participation.
The Bill is currently at the Second Reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to Committee stage and further readings before moving to the Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
The Bill was presented to Parliament through the ballot procedure on 24 June 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
The second reading debate on 11 September 2015 was adjourned.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
