SIR Keir Starmer was today accused of “breathtaking cynicism” as he confirmed 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election.

The PM announced a major shake-up of British democracy, which will also include a crack down on foreign donations to political parties.

From the date of the next national poll, most likely to be 2029, the minimum voting age will be knocked down from 18 to 16.

Hitting back at the move, Tory ex-Cabinet Minister James Cleverly blasted: “The cynicism is breathtaking.

“Are Labour saying: Children should have the right to vote. Or 16 year olds are no longer children?

“Either answer opens a can of worms with regards to other rights and responsibilities for 16 and 17 year olds.”

Shadow Communities Minister Paul Holmes said: “Sixteen-year-olds will be able to vote in an election but not stand as candidates, and they will be able to vote but not permitted to buy a lottery ticket, consume alcohol, marry, or go to war.

“This is a hopelessly confusing policy from Labour, who appear uncertain themselves about what they want young people to be allowed to do.

“This is a brazen attempt by the Labour Party whose unpopularity is scaring them into making major constitutional changes without consultation and it shows with their inconsistent approach to what a young person can or can’t do.”

Under the democracy shake-up, voter ID laws will also be loosened to allow anyone with a bank card into a ballot box.

And new rules will see unincorporated associations – known as shell companies – face mandated checks on political donations above £500.

To protect candidates and campaigners from abuse, punishments for intimidation and harassment will be tightened.

Sir Keir said: “I think it’s really important that 16 and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they’re old enough to go out to work, they’re old enough to pay taxes.

“I think if you pay in you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on.

“I’m really pleased that we’re able to bring more young people into our democracy, and give them the chance to have a say over how their taxes are going to be paid and what they’re going to be used.”

Analysis

By Jack Elsom, Political Editor

LABOUR is claiming that lowering the voting age to 16 is all about “boosting democratic engagement in a changing world”.

But make no mistake: this will rightly be viewed as a brazen attempt to boost their chances of reelection.

Polling is clear that 16 and 17-year-olds are more likely to vote Labour than any other party, so this constitutional upheaval will benefit nobody more than Sir Keir Starmer.

But the PM should be careful what he wishes for, because it might not remain that way forever.

Reform is currently polling second among that age category, particularly among fed-up teenage boys rallying to social media-savvy Nigel Farage.

And radical young lefties could peel off to the Greens or Jeremy Corbyn’s new movement if the PM continues to shun their tribe.

While currently the electoral gerrymandering will undoubtedly help Labour, who knows how those extra 1.5million voters will cast their ballots in four years time.

The move today sparked outrage from the Tories, who accused Labour of trying to rig the system by expanding voter eligibility to people more likely to back left-wing parties.

But the policy could also back fire for Sir Keir Starmer, as a surging number of youngsters find themselves tempted by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Mr Farage said this morning: “It’s an attempt to rig the political system but we intend to give them a nasty surprise.”

Polling by Merlin Strategy today found that Labour is the most popular party among 16 and 17-year-olds, on 33 per cent.

Reform comes in second on 20 per cent.

But only 18 per cent of youngsters say they’d definitely vote while 49 per cent think they shouldn’t be allowed at ballot boxes yet.

The top three issues for the age group are the economy, health and immigration.

Voting in the UK has undergone sweeping changes over the centuries.

Back in the 19th century, only wealthy landowners had the privilege to cast their vote, leaving the working class and women entirely excluded.

The game-changing moment came in 1918 when women over 30 who owned property were finally granted the vote, thanks to years of tireless campaigning by suffragettes.

Ten years later, in 1928, the age restriction for women was lowered to 21, putting them on an equal footing with men.

Fast forward to 1969, and another major milestone was hit when the voting age for everyone was reduced from 21 to 18, recognising the growing political voice of younger citizens.