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Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
Posted by Ken Wood on March 23, 2023, 9:00:31
Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system Why is our country not the same as other commonwealth countries to the point of view in their voting disciplines i.e. that theirs are mandatory, yet, these countries can vote on our UK changes in political policy and changes in government. It’s just an historic thing. The United Kingdom does not have a hard and fast citizenship requirement to vote. People from the Republic of Ireland can also vote in the United Kingdom elections if they’re resident. The reason why the voting rules are not reciprocated is because when countries in the Commonwealth succeeded they were able to define new voting rules, excluding UK citizens. To be clear then they have to be resident in the United Kingdom, it’s not like they can do mail in votes in Canada or Australia. Over the six general elections held this millennium, turnout has averaged just fewer than 65%, meaning that around one third of the electorate now regularly fails to participate in the electoral process. At second-order elections, this proportion is even higher: turnout for Scottish Parliament elections has only once broken 60%, turnout in Welsh Parliament elections has never reached even 50%, and turnout for the 2021 local elections in England was barely more than a third. Such figures all represent a historic decline from turnout levels in the twentieth century. Although never previously used in the UK, compulsory voting is a measure currently in force in 15 democracies worldwide, including the comparable European and Commonwealth countries of Belgium and Australia. In countries where compulsory voting is used, citizens are obliged to cast ballots in national elections, generally on pain of a small fine. Cross-national studies regularly find that such measures are a reliable way to boost turnout, leading to near-universal participation. Elections are therefore more equal, as social disparities in turnout are no longer numerically significant. Importantly, such salutary impacts are not generally dependent on the level of punishment in place for non-voting, meaning compulsory voting would not require harsh coercion to be effective. My point is, present government in the UK are voted in by a very small population that actually vote, mainly as stated above, older and more wealthier and without been racist white people, that in turn can and does have a result as some older ones cannot change their voting status regardless of present situations, meaning their parents voted one side always so they followed that principle, and always voted for that colour red, blue or yellow very rare a green. That then means we are stuck with the very same regime even if they are not helping the local population. Yet those Australian’s and other countries, can vote on our life changes regardless and may change things that does not harm them just the UK people. How many times do we hear people SAY “I ALWAYS VOTE LABOUR MY PARENTS DID?” how many do you see at the polling booths, mainly older people, never see any younger people, electronic voting is still having problems, and not many older people can use smart technology so we are stuck with the same governments because of our parent's habits, just a thought but good talking point.
Re: Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
living in Australia but still a UK citizen I have never been given the chance to vote in UK elections, not that I would as I have no interest in the Uk at all.
Re: Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
Colin, why are you still keep your UK citizenship when having no interest in the UK. Many years ago my brother emigrated to Australia, and later took Australian citizenship.
Re: Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
Like Colin, I too live in Australia and took out Australian Citizenship. Enrolment on the Electoral Roll for all Australians over the age of 18 is compulsory.....VOTING IS NOT COMPULSORY......all that is required by LAW is that you attend a Polling Station and have your name ticked off the Roll as having attended.........YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CAST A BALLOT. To answer Sheilas question about keeping UK Citizenship...........it will cost $197.00 ( at last time of asking) to renounce UK Citizenship........ I cannot see the pint of paying to say ""I don't want you any longer""........Eventually the Australian Republican Movement will succeed and this will occur without cost.
Re: Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
That seems a valid point Steve, if it costs you money. Just a lot of people who have made their homes in Europe and America, suddenly decide to come back to the Uk when they are elderly and need the NHS. Not that I mean Colin, but we do have people who have decided this and the poor tax payer had to pay again. We also have had to accept people when having served a prison sentence although been in Australia since childhood are shipped back to us.
Re: Should the UK change to Compulsory/ Mandatory voting system
colinmcallister,love that idea of compulsory registration for 18years and over. Perhaps the cost of retaining duel citenship should apply instead as indicated upon revolking it. I Have duel citenship mainly because at one time it may have effected my career advancement. That been said If it had been a requirement to revoke my citenship at birth I would have declined.
