The reforms include stricter campaign finance rules, such as banning donations from shell companies and requiring real economic activity for companies funding campaigns, to prevent foreign interference.

Legislation will be formally introduced to Parliament to enshrine the voting age reduction, with support from Labour, and is seen as a significant step towards modernizing democratic participation.

The UK government has announced plans to lower the voting age to 16, aiming to modernize democracy and boost electoral participation, with legislation requiring parliamentary approval before implementation.

The Electoral Commission reported that the last election saw a low turnout of 59.7%, partly due to ID requirements that disenfranchised around 750,000 voters, prompting calls for electoral reform.

While some politicians support the move, critics argue it could be a political strategy to favor the Labour Party, with opponents like Nigel Farage claiming it might skew the system and highlight biases in educational institutions.

Political parties will need to engage with the diverse youth electorate, as young voters are politically active but often lack political education, which could influence future election outcomes.

The Alliance Party and other stakeholders emphasize the urgency of implementing these reforms in time for the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election to address democratic deficits caused by youth disenfranchisement.

Reforms will also address the regulation of political donations, including a proposed ban on cryptocurrency contributions, to prevent money laundering and dark money influence.

The legislation is expected to be passed by Parliament, where the Labour government holds a majority, with plans to implement the change before the next general election, likely by 2029.

The Liberal Democrats support some proposals but oppose the absence of plans for proportional representation, while others criticize the timing and political motivations behind the reforms.

Opponents argue that lowering the voting age might benefit the Labour Party, as younger voters tend to lean left, raising concerns about the maturity and political experience of 16-year-olds.

Young people are generally enthusiastic about voting rights, frustrated by their previous inability to participate, and see this as a crucial step for their influence on issues like healthcare and education.