Forum Topic

Should voting be compulsory?

We all know the reasons why such a high proportion of the electorate are completely fed up with Members of Parliament and now they are asking us for our vote!It has often been said that voting papers should have a section saying 'NONE of the above' - a pox on all their houses - but where would that get us?There will be a high percentage of the electorate who just won't even bother to vote at all and think it doesn't matter which party wins as 'They are all the same' to coin a phrase.Well for those people I would say it is no use complaining at a later date if you didn't even turn out to vote for anyone! People fought to get the vote in years gone by and now many don't even bother to take part in elections.Some people are hoping for a 'Hung Parliament' but it may well be that this would be short-lived and would probably mean that another election would have to be held to resolve the issue.So to get back to my question - should it be compulsory to vote in the future? !Please discuss.

Jean F Fernandez ● 6008d18 Comments

I think it would distort the vote to make it compulsory. People forced to vote would tick the top box, so that Mr Anderson would always be elected above Mr Zebedee.I do think that a 'none of the above' box should be included on the ballot paper, though, and the number of people who tick it made public.

Susan Kelly ● 6008d

But if the top box were "none of the below"...

Alan Brainsby ● 6007d

That would be the fairest. It is great through that the Leader's debate has occurred. No doubt it has been fun to see how they are reacting by saying they will put the lib dem policies underscrutiny. great i am sure vince cable is looking forward to that. perhaps in panic labour will replace gordon brown with that lovely woman and her dancing dog from britains got talent to boost the polls. So it is Britains got Talent against Britains got waffle!! in the ratings war.

Peter Chadburn ● 6006d

It is in Australia. And if you dont have a good excuse, you get fined. The excuses are just so funny..http://lh5.google.com/camlaird/R6GEpiFBxdI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZCb-WlgZH0g/vote3%5B5%5D

David Archer ● 6004d

No, voting should not be compulsory.If I don't believe in any of the parties, to vote for anyone just for the sake of it is irresponsible.

Marie Anne OConnell ● 5948d

It should be a democratic choice not to vote.  I have only twice failed to do so when I could have. Back in 69 or 70 I did not vote as there was no candidate against the then Common Market or abortion. Then when we had the vote on an elected mayor for Ealing I forgot as the vote was done near to Christmas, none of the parties wanting such a mayorNo compulsory voting but if you do not vote then shut up about politics for the next four years as you have opted out of contributing to democracy.

Graham Weeks ● 5947d

"if you do not vote then shut up about politics for the next four years as you have opted out of contributing to democracy"-  why?  -  if the system can't or won't produce any candidates that will do the job you need or want doing WHY should we 'shut up' about it?To take an analogy you may understand, if you know that the only pharmacists in town won't stock the medicines you need, and/or will short-change you and/or take your money but give the goods to their family and friends, should you just 'shut up' about that?

Chris Veasey ● 5947d

I find myself agreeing with Graham! Good candidates do not grow on trees. Arrogant ones do as we have seen nationally and locally.I would like it to be compulsory, but for the time being I would like to see people being paid for just two elections to vote. We could then debate more clearly whether compulsory voting might be the option.

George Knox ● 5947d

From my own example I agree sometimes one does not see a candidate good enough. But one can chose the lesser of the evils on offer. If you never vote you should be silent.As to the pharmacy example, if your local pharmacy is as described I can tell you what to do to remedy the situation.Anyway it seems we are both against compulsory voting.

Graham Weeks ● 5947d

"But one can chose the lesser of the evils on offer. If you never vote you should be silent."Ha! I just knew there were twelve commandments,that's another two I can tick off,where did you find them?

Tony Wood ● 5947d

Not from Mt Siniai but from my brain.  To the politicoes I would recommend not bearing false witness .

Graham Weeks ● 5947d

yes

David Archer ● 5946d

"Not from Mt Siniai but from my brain."That's a bit disappointing,so it's just your opinion then?It is good to have opinions,but I do have a small problem with people that try to enforce same on others. I for instance think smoking a pipe and risking almost certain premature death is foolhardy of you, but I wouldn't like to see it banned,that's your individual choice, rightly so.By the same token,I have made what I'd like to think was a considered decision not to vote for anyone,I wouldn't like the restrictions that voting for one party or another would place on my thought process,it's very liberating,but keeping quiet I wont be!"To the politicoes I would recommend not bearing false witness ."  I don't understand what your implying here,I realize it's a Biblical quote (it would be wouldn't it?),but it's lost on me. Unless of course you are accusing politicos (MPs,councillors etc.) of lying,then I probably have to agree with you.

Tony Wood ● 5946d

no

Tony Wood ● 5946d

I am expressing opinions and can enforce nothing. If I were such a policeman I would definitely make some changes to this forum.If you do not take part in the democratic process by voting what are you doing to change our country's sad state.You understood my implication perfectly. Lying it was.

Graham Weeks ● 5945d

"I am expressing opinions and can enforce nothing. If I were such a policeman I would definitely make some changes to this forum"I don't doubt that for one moment,it's fortunate indeed that such is not the case. It's such a shame that we can't control those who infringe our personal realms isn't it? Nasty people that ask questions and stuff...ugh I just hate them!"If you do not take part in the democratic process by voting what are you doing to change our country's sad state."  Well,that pre supposes a couple of things that may be down to an individuals perception,and not necessarily facts.   The democratic process you mention does allow (at least for the present)people like me who can't find anyone or political party that I feel I can honestly say I want to see in power,would that I could!   If voting became compulsory then yes I could go to a polling booth and spoil my paper,that's assuming that voting remains secret. No net gain to the system there though.   

Tony Wood ● 5945d

OK. So you do not vote. Do you lobby at all, write to papers or merely post on here?

Graham Weeks ● 5945d

Obviously it is not going to be compulsory in the forum, but what would we like to vote on here?

Graham Weeks ● 5944d