We should force people to the polls, says Hoon
SystemFailiure | 04.07.2005 00:08
July 04, 2005 The Times
We should force people to the polls, says Hoon
COMPULSORY voting at general elections should be introduced as a way of breathing new life into the political process, Geoff Hoon will say today.
We should force people to the polls, says Hoon
COMPULSORY voting at general elections should be introduced as a way of breathing new life into the political process, Geoff Hoon will say today.
The Leader of the Commons is the first serving member of the Cabinet to endorse publicly such a radical change in Britain’s democracy.
In a speech to the left-wing Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank in London, Mr Hoon will say that the measure is necessary to counter the low level of voter turnout.
He is expected to say that the 61 per cent turnout in May’s general election left him “more concerned about our democracy than ever before”, adding: “We are seeing not just twentysomething’s but people in their thirties and forties who have never voted and who actually seem proud to say so.”
He will claim that the spread of deliberate non-voting threatens “the long term legitimacy of our political system”.
The former Defence Secretary said it was embarrassing that turnout was higher in Afghanistan, where 77 per cent of people voted last year, and not much higher than the 58 per cent of people who took part in Iraqi elections this year. In both countries, he says: “Men and women queued in their thousands — risking their lives in defiance of terrorists — to cast a vote for their future.”
Since becoming Leader of the Commons, Mr Hoon has spoken out against the cynicism with which many people regard politicians from all parties, as well as the need to treat those holding public office with more respect.
In the speech today he will state that it is not apathy nor sloth or contentment that is undermining participation in British elections but “alienation — the feeling among many people that their vote will not change anything”. He will say that this is particularly true among the poor and more disadvantaged groups.
But Mr Hoon is also expected to say that the way in which political parties are becoming increasingly sophisticated in pursuing those who do vote means that those people staying at home could become further marginalised from the process.
“This will alter our democratic debate, risking encouraging a greater focus on issues of concern to the chattering classes and neglecting issues of wider and more general concern. It is profoundly dangerous for our political life.”
He will suggest that voting itself need not be compulsory, instead saying that all that would be required would be attendance at a polling station or registration for a postal ballot. “It is vital that there should be an option available to abstain or spoil your ballot paper,” he will say.
Mr Hoon believes that enforcing such a measure could include imposing a small fine.
In a speech to the left-wing Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank in London, Mr Hoon will say that the measure is necessary to counter the low level of voter turnout.
He is expected to say that the 61 per cent turnout in May’s general election left him “more concerned about our democracy than ever before”, adding: “We are seeing not just twentysomething’s but people in their thirties and forties who have never voted and who actually seem proud to say so.”
He will claim that the spread of deliberate non-voting threatens “the long term legitimacy of our political system”.
The former Defence Secretary said it was embarrassing that turnout was higher in Afghanistan, where 77 per cent of people voted last year, and not much higher than the 58 per cent of people who took part in Iraqi elections this year. In both countries, he says: “Men and women queued in their thousands — risking their lives in defiance of terrorists — to cast a vote for their future.”
Since becoming Leader of the Commons, Mr Hoon has spoken out against the cynicism with which many people regard politicians from all parties, as well as the need to treat those holding public office with more respect.
In the speech today he will state that it is not apathy nor sloth or contentment that is undermining participation in British elections but “alienation — the feeling among many people that their vote will not change anything”. He will say that this is particularly true among the poor and more disadvantaged groups.
But Mr Hoon is also expected to say that the way in which political parties are becoming increasingly sophisticated in pursuing those who do vote means that those people staying at home could become further marginalised from the process.
“This will alter our democratic debate, risking encouraging a greater focus on issues of concern to the chattering classes and neglecting issues of wider and more general concern. It is profoundly dangerous for our political life.”
He will suggest that voting itself need not be compulsory, instead saying that all that would be required would be attendance at a polling station or registration for a postal ballot. “It is vital that there should be an option available to abstain or spoil your ballot paper,” he will say.
Mr Hoon believes that enforcing such a measure could include imposing a small fine.
SystemFailiure
Comments
Hide the following 5 comments
Legitimacy?
04.07.2005 05:47
Doug
Compulsory voting and ID Cards
04.07.2005 06:04
And your friendly local neighborhood beat bobby will pay you a visit with a cattle prod to ensure you go to the polls and anyone voting for the wrong party can be suitably punished…..
Richard
Thirtysomething none voter
04.07.2005 09:58
I did once vote, during the votes for MEPs which saw almost thirty percent of the votes going for the greens.
I am proud not to vote. Proud NOT to give legitimacy to the system - in fact, MY AIM IS TO UNDERMINE “the long term legitimacy of our political system”.
If I felt we lived in a democracy where my vote counted and my views were truely represented, then perhaps I'd vote. Anarchy is all very well but I have my doubts about human nature. But what system of goverance will the rich and powerful ever give us? What political system would truely address the injustice and inquitbility of the system? The answer is NONE. No system that they give us will do the job - only a system that we create and force into place ourselves.
ebn
This could backfire
04.07.2005 15:02
Hoon undoubtedly hopes that forcing people to vote will mean they will unthinkingly chose one of the parties rather than spoiling their vote or abstaining, however, if people are convinced to do otherwise, then it will stand out like a sore thumb that the overwhelming majority do reject what we currently have.
JB
Calm Down, Calm Down
09.07.2005 15:30
I think you'll find that compulsory voting exists in a number of countries, none of which appear to be Police states, and that in these it is acceptable to cast a spoilt ballot paper if you think all the candidates are unacceptable.
The Grown-Ups