14/05/2023
LGBTQIA Politics watchers have, so far, given a broadly warm reception to news, reported in the Independent and - perhaps predictably - slammed in the right wing papers, that a future Labour Government under Sir Keir Starmer would consider allowing people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen to vote in Westminster Parliamentary elections. Although this is not yet formal Labour Party policy, spokespeople did confirm for Sky News Channel that there were considerations being worked through, including allowing settled and tax paying EU citizens the vote, just as ex-pat Brits abroad in Europe can vote. LGBTQIA Politics watchers noted that younger people were more likely to support progressive policies and reject social reaction, and that therefore the reforms could be beneficial to a pluralist, tolerant society. Radical right wingers were incensed, with Tory grandee Peter Cruddas fearing that the Conservative Party and other right wing parties could be "frozen out" of having an electoral majority in the future. He claimed that Labour would introduce proportional representation to keep Conservative governments out, but this is not official Labour policy. Liberal Democrats, Greens and other small progressive parties do advocate proportional representation and a considerable number of the electorate want more diversity in representation at Westminster.
