Hoon calls for compulsory voting
Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Monday July 4, 2005
The Guardian
Voting should be compulsory in Britain as a way of ending political alienation, restoring community and addressing the dangerous issue of "serial non-voters", Geoff Hoon will say today.
In a speech that is likely to prompt a widespread debate, the leader of the Commons will also support progress towards text voting in general elections.
Mr Hoon is the first cabinet minister to back enforced attendance at the polling booth as the government continues to debate the causes of Britain's low turnout, especially among younger voters. He will stress he is expressing personal views and is aware some will attack him saying it is the fault of politicians if voters cannot be bothered to vote.
He suggests non-voters should either be fined or alternatively voters should be given a small incentive such as a council tax discount for turing up at the polling booth.
He argues that voters should be entitled to spoil their ballot paper, so long as they attend the polling station, or if voting becomes electronic at least register their decision not to vote.
Mr Hoon is known to have support from other cabinet ministers including Peter Hain, as well as the former education minister Stephen Twigg, who lost his seat at the last election.
Mr Hoon will argue that "international experience points to compulsory voting being the most effective way to increase turnout". It is "the most obvious way to bring those who feel alienated into the political process and the best means to enhance civic participation". It would also "bring back the sense that we can all work together".
Since becoming leader of the house, Mr Hoon has tried to prompt a debate about political alienation. He claims "any penalties should be modest and rather like the introduction of seatbelt legislation, would only require one or two cases to be brought to encourage everyone to participate".
Turnout in the May general election was 61.5%, slightly up on the 59% figure in 2001, but down on the 78% turnout in 1992 and well below the turnouts, often over and above 75%, seen in the period after the second world war.
Mr Hoon said: "My fear is that as the older, more regular voters die, we will be left with a significant number of people for whom voting is neither a habit, nor a duty.
"The turnout in our general election was below the 77% turnout in Afghanistan and not much higher than the 58% turnout recently in Iraq - where men and women queued in their thousands - risking their lives in defiance of fanatical terrorists - to cast a vote for their future."
Australia and Belgium have compulsory voting. Australians have been legally obliged to cast their vote since 1924 and are fined between A$20 and A$50 for failure to turn up.
Voting is mandatory for all Belgians who are 18 and above. Non-voters risk having their name removed from the electoral roll for 10 years. Elections in Belgium regularly yield a 90% turnout.
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What a lot of communist style b0llox
Do you think there is any chance of that happening here?
Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Monday July 4, 2005
The Guardian
Voting should be compulsory in Britain as a way of ending political alienation, restoring community and addressing the dangerous issue of "serial non-voters", Geoff Hoon will say today.
In a speech that is likely to prompt a widespread debate, the leader of the Commons will also support progress towards text voting in general elections.
Mr Hoon is the first cabinet minister to back enforced attendance at the polling booth as the government continues to debate the causes of Britain's low turnout, especially among younger voters. He will stress he is expressing personal views and is aware some will attack him saying it is the fault of politicians if voters cannot be bothered to vote.
He suggests non-voters should either be fined or alternatively voters should be given a small incentive such as a council tax discount for turing up at the polling booth.
He argues that voters should be entitled to spoil their ballot paper, so long as they attend the polling station, or if voting becomes electronic at least register their decision not to vote.
Mr Hoon is known to have support from other cabinet ministers including Peter Hain, as well as the former education minister Stephen Twigg, who lost his seat at the last election.
Mr Hoon will argue that "international experience points to compulsory voting being the most effective way to increase turnout". It is "the most obvious way to bring those who feel alienated into the political process and the best means to enhance civic participation". It would also "bring back the sense that we can all work together".
Since becoming leader of the house, Mr Hoon has tried to prompt a debate about political alienation. He claims "any penalties should be modest and rather like the introduction of seatbelt legislation, would only require one or two cases to be brought to encourage everyone to participate".
Turnout in the May general election was 61.5%, slightly up on the 59% figure in 2001, but down on the 78% turnout in 1992 and well below the turnouts, often over and above 75%, seen in the period after the second world war.
Mr Hoon said: "My fear is that as the older, more regular voters die, we will be left with a significant number of people for whom voting is neither a habit, nor a duty.
"The turnout in our general election was below the 77% turnout in Afghanistan and not much higher than the 58% turnout recently in Iraq - where men and women queued in their thousands - risking their lives in defiance of fanatical terrorists - to cast a vote for their future."
Australia and Belgium have compulsory voting. Australians have been legally obliged to cast their vote since 1924 and are fined between A$20 and A$50 for failure to turn up.
Voting is mandatory for all Belgians who are 18 and above. Non-voters risk having their name removed from the electoral roll for 10 years. Elections in Belgium regularly yield a 90% turnout.
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What a lot of communist style b0llox
Do you think there is any chance of that happening here?
