UK general election turnout has fallen over decades, reaching 56% among 18-24 year olds and 60% among those with fewest qualifications at the last election. Recent reports and think tank proposals from IPPR, Think Labour and others advocate compulsory voting with a small fine and a 'none of the above' option on ballots to boost participation and legitimacy. The government currently has no plans to introduce compulsory voting.
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Every vote you cast builds your political profile — where you lean, worked out from real questions rather than fixed statements.
40 Opinions
If the parties cannot enthuse people to get out and vote for them then obviously they are not making a great case for themselves.
Voting needs to be meaningful in a strong democracy. Lack of voter engagement, and voting for the least worst candidate are signs of a democracy that needs fixing. Compulsory voting won't hide that.
We have the right to vote, to me that means we also have the right not to vote.
It would be great to make more people, especially the young, engage with issues. And get everyone, including older people, to inform themselves before rushing to opinions. Just forcing them to vote won't do that.
Forcing people to vote is authoritarian and wrong on principle. Even looking entirely pragmatically, those least likely to vote are the less politically informed and engaged who are least likely to vote well
In free society one should have right not to vote. A box with none of the above is essential in these times as Politicians shout they have a mandate where none exists. If box & non voting 30% or > then election rerun. If same happens all candidates must resign & another lot have to persuade the voters. Politicians are venal they waste £Billions so ignore their bleating about re-running costs. Electoral process should be like a cattle prod eventually they will get the message.
The state should not make voting a legal requirement, we are not Russia for jebus sake.
How would it be enforced exactly? For what benefit? I think most people supporting this think if only we forced people to vote my party/view would stop someone else getting in
Yes, but there should be the option to abstain from picking a particular party due to the general incompetence of all parties presented as viable governmental entities.
No. A low turnout is a verdict on what was offered. People are willing to vote on reality TV, talent shows. But they aren't willing to be used as props in what they can tell is a performance of "democracy".