Should we fine people in the UK who don't vote?

Question

Australians are fined for not voting. People have the option of spoiling their paper in the UK which equals "none of the above", therefore should people be fined for not taking their part in democracy? Would it make elections more credible?

Do people really think that because people might vote for the people with the "prettiest name", that they shouldn't vote? Isn't that the point in Democracy (ie it's your choice)?

Answer 1

Yeah, force people to vote, in a free speaking/democratic/freedom of choice society.
Those that don't, beat them with a metal truncheon and throw them into the dungeons.
I, like a lot of people in the UK have relatives that died in two world wars fighting for the freedom of this country.
I always vote in memory of the people who died fighting for that freedom.

But then again a lot of females voted for Margaret Thatcher because she was a woman, and a lot of males voted against her because she was a woman?
Perhaps politicians should go into the Big Brother house, I'm sure then they would get a lot more votes.


Nice one Timothy W.

Answer 2

I think it is wrong to be fined, period...

Democracy is supposed to be freedom of choice...

There are a lot of people who think all M.P.s and every Prime Minister is as corrupt as the last!

That is why they don't vote... but then they shouldn't criticise either!

None of the above should be on the ballot paper...

what i do not applaud is the fact... during the local elections this year for our ward... we where given the choice of the 3 big parties... none of which i wanted to vote for... i wanted to vote for a party; for which i find has the points i like!

i should have been therefore able to vote for one another wards political parties!

It was a big swizz that i had no other option! That is not democracy...

You remember this... there is a lot of this conning going on in democracy... there is just take a closer look around you... and look a little deeper at parties... scam after scam... tax after tax!

Law is in a mess... We need a change from the big three in the u.k.

Things need to change drastically... i really do not know why anyone would want to come and live here!

although i must say... the Benefits system is designed to favour the away dressing room and not the home!

also why would you want too work when what you get from the government is equal to often more than 30k a year! I mean come on... why... for that someone should be working on the pot holes in the roads etc! not sat on there backside, if they are fit and able... smack heads, alcoholics, fake asylum seekers! They are given so much help and cash, it makes the average person pale in comparison!

They should be thown in a cell and given a non optional dtox, not methadone, or extra money for vodka! Then made to work...

Prisoners should be prisoners... and people who are sent to jail for moving a speed sign to dodge a fine, should not be going to prison, when idiots who kill people in cars walk away with a fine!

Absolute NUTS! are you listening Mr Blair???

If you work... the Government do not want you to become rich... well it seems like it... because everywhere you look there is a cost or a tax... or a big guy waving a stick exploiting your life! Usually your boss...

My employees are human... and are treated like that... this is democracy... not blagging them at every given opportunity!

Thanks for that! Just from a voting question ey!

Answer 3

I did not realize that Australians are fined for not voting - I learn something every day!

I think that if someone does not want to vote, then they should have that choice. What irks me in the US are the people who do not vote and then become the biggest critics of the government and the policies of people voted into office. If they do not vote then they should keep quiet.

Another thought is that I would rather have people voting who have taken the time to listen to the candidates and their philosophies and thoughts rather than someone who has no idea what and who they are voting for. I would consider these to be the most credible elections.

Answer 4

I had an Australian friend who didn't vote one election and when the government demanded a reason, she said that all the candidates were idiots. They accepted that as a reason not to vote. Would that be acceptable in the proposed fines? If so, then it's still a choice. People may be required to say that they don't want any of the choices, but their voice is still being heard right?

Answer 5

Not from the UK so not really familiar with the politic there. However, I do not see fining people who do not vote. In my mind when you vote it should be with regard and foresight as to who you think should get the job and hopefully the best person gets elected. Not every one takes politics seriously and would not vote intelligently but by chance.

It would be bad for someone named Aron Arnold, who's only policy is to make everyone in the country learn how to properly play the kazoo, win because his name was first on the ballot and people were forced to vote. Elections should not produce random results, and a vote fine could lead to such a conclusion.

Answer 6

More credible, yes. People who are too lazy to vote are a disgrace to the nation, and people who want to abstain will have that choice
Im all for it, as long as the right to vote in abstaination is held

Chelseababe, you think so little of the electorate. Dont assume everyone doesnt know what politics is about, many have an idea of what they want to see happen in the country

Wontcook, you also just seemto hold to the medias view of Politics. Wether you think that or not, these people run the country. To say you wont ever vote is, in my opinion, shameful. If thats the way you want to be, you have no right to moan at anythign the government does.

Answer 7

I don't believe in compulsion in voting - purely because if everyone has to vote then there's a risk of them randomly picking a box. When you consider voter turnout in general elections is regularly less than 50% of eligible voters, to randomise the votes of the other 50% would be a pretty scary prospect.

What I do propose however is that in every election: local; national; European, there should be a 'no suitable candidate' option. If the 'no suitable candidate' comes first, then the election must be re-run with none of the previous candidates being eligible to re-stand. The downside is that it could lead to continually empty seats, with voters chosing to deliberately subvert the political process and have no representation rather than some candidate who showed up on the day.

Answer 8

I'd like to see voting being made compulsory, not sure about fining people who don't vote though - a spell of community service seems more appropriate.

But then since most people seem to care more about what is happening on Coronation Street or on Eastenders than who is running the country it might produce some undesirable results as people cast protest votes - you should be all to aware of how stubborn we Brits typically are. ;)

It's ironic though that people are often quick to complain about how things are ran in this country but when the opportunity arises to change the government they don't seem to bother taking up that opportunity, in my humble opinion if you don't vote you have no right to complain.

David Cameron used the term recently in a speech regarding Human Rights that we now have a culture of "rights without responsibility" - whilst the bulk of that very speech was a load of political rubbish that phrase i thought was quite poignant as we do have such a culture today with low turn outs for general elections as a prime example.

Answer 9

Who do you want voting?

People who are forced to show up, have no idea who's running, what the issues are, who can't be bothered to make an effort to learn enough to make an educated choice?

Or people who have studied the issues, talked or read about the candidates and their positions, support the system, and want to take an active part in seeing it work?

Fine the first group? I sure hope not! But the price you pay for having them stay home is you have to listen to them whine about the situation that didn't lift a finger to help change.

Answer 10

Some people have no idea what policies these different parties have in their manifesto, so if you forced someone like that to vote, then they would just vote for any old person, like the person with the nicest name, or they would pick at random. That isn't a good way to vote for a future leader.