Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote

Labour will renege on it's commitment to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote because so many of them would vote for Nigel Farage's Reform UK, the party's newest MP has predicted. Sarah Pochin - who sent shockwaves through the political establishment this month when she won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election - said Mr Farage has "extraordinary" support among teenagers.

Labour pledged in last year's manifesto to lower the voting age to 16 but Ms Pochin expects the rise of Reform will lead to the plan being scrapped.

"The youth, they flock around him," she sais. "Out of nowhere on housing estates, you'd get the 16, 17, 18-year-olds [asking], 'Nigel can we have a selfie?'

"They love him and I found that fascinating because never before in the 10 years I've been very active in politics have I come across the youth so engaged, so enthused by a party leader. That is extraordinary.

"I tell you one thing, I think Labour will back right down on giving 16-year-olds a vote because their vote will go to Nigel Farage."

A Government spokesperson insisted the lowering of the voting age was coming, saying: "As set out in our manifesto, this Government is committed to widening and encouraging participation in our democracy, includes giving 16-17 year olds the right to vote. We're working with the electoral sector, devolved and local government, and other stakeholders to ensure we implement these changes successfully."

The Government insists it is intent on lowering the voting age in "good time" ahead of the next general election.

Sir Keir last month told MPs the Government "will definitely get it done".

Polling by Survation for True North Advisors found that Labour remains the most popular among young voters in the 18-24 age bracket. Thirty-five percent of this group said they would vote for Sir Keir Starmer's party (when people who did not know how they would vote or would not say were excluded). This compared with 21% backing Reform, 17% saying they would vote Conservative and 15% who support the Greens.