Don't Vote Labour - Some polling day advice
Okay, so tomorrow is polling day for the local government elections in England, and you're probably thinking "What's the point in getting out to vote?" or "So who the hell do I vote for?". So instead of exercising your democratic right, you take the kids out for a picnic or a trip to a theme park.
Well, make the most of it, because it may not be long before such an attitude could cost you as much as £40.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has just published a report calling for the introduction of compulsory voting. The report has the backing of many in government, and it isn't hard to see why. In last year's general election, Labour claimed victory on a 36% share the vote, yet turnout was only 61%. Hardly a ringing endorsement of the state of democracy in this country.
And the 2002 local elections were worse, with turnout as low as 32%!
Now, compulsory voting isn't actually going to make people vote. So if the report's recommendations were to be introduced, it would be essential that voters have an opportunity to register their displeasure with the policies of all candidates. The addition of a "None of the above" option must be a integral part of any introduction of compulsion. And the reporting of such figures as spoiled ballots including "None of the above" must also be clearly reported.
Of course, people might be more inclined to vote without compulsion if they felt their vote actually counted. To achieve that would require the introduction of proportional representation, something that Labour promised in 1997 and 9 years later has still failed to deliver. Understandable really, given that the current system allows a Party to form a majority government without actually receiving the endorsement of a majority of the electorate.
So compulsory voting will be the most likely way forward, especially if Gordon Brown replaces Tony Blair. After all, how could Brown resist the introduction of another item of stealth taxation, namely a Non-Voting Tax or, more ironically, a Non-Poll Tax.
Given all this, and taking in to account the undesirability for many of voting Conservative or Lib-Dem, why don't you get in practice for saving £40. Tomorrow, go to your local polling station, and in large, friendly letters write NONE OF THE ABOVE across your ballot paper. Alternative, print off a Backing Blair logo or image and, using an easily concealed glue dispenser such as Pritstick, paste it onto your ballot.
Ideally, we'd prefer it if you actively voted against New Labour, but for many that is too much to ask. But failing that, try our alternative above.
Well, make the most of it, because it may not be long before such an attitude could cost you as much as £40.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has just published a report calling for the introduction of compulsory voting. The report has the backing of many in government, and it isn't hard to see why. In last year's general election, Labour claimed victory on a 36% share the vote, yet turnout was only 61%. Hardly a ringing endorsement of the state of democracy in this country.
And the 2002 local elections were worse, with turnout as low as 32%!
Now, compulsory voting isn't actually going to make people vote. So if the report's recommendations were to be introduced, it would be essential that voters have an opportunity to register their displeasure with the policies of all candidates. The addition of a "None of the above" option must be a integral part of any introduction of compulsion. And the reporting of such figures as spoiled ballots including "None of the above" must also be clearly reported.
Of course, people might be more inclined to vote without compulsion if they felt their vote actually counted. To achieve that would require the introduction of proportional representation, something that Labour promised in 1997 and 9 years later has still failed to deliver. Understandable really, given that the current system allows a Party to form a majority government without actually receiving the endorsement of a majority of the electorate.
So compulsory voting will be the most likely way forward, especially if Gordon Brown replaces Tony Blair. After all, how could Brown resist the introduction of another item of stealth taxation, namely a Non-Voting Tax or, more ironically, a Non-Poll Tax.
Given all this, and taking in to account the undesirability for many of voting Conservative or Lib-Dem, why don't you get in practice for saving £40. Tomorrow, go to your local polling station, and in large, friendly letters write NONE OF THE ABOVE across your ballot paper. Alternative, print off a Backing Blair logo or image and, using an easily concealed glue dispenser such as Pritstick, paste it onto your ballot.
Ideally, we'd prefer it if you actively voted against New Labour, but for many that is too much to ask. But failing that, try our alternative above.
1 Comments:
I agree. People should take this opportunity to tactical vote against Labour and help force a leadership election against Blair. See my blog to see my views in full on this..
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