You can’t force people to vote when democracy is shambles

GUY Lodge and Sarah Birch’s article (Yorkshire Post, May 2) is full of the reasons why I have not, and will not vote in this country and simply attempts to reinforce the existing shambolic set-up.

Here are a few of my reasons for not voting:

Being English, I am currently the subject of electoral discrimination in that there is no English Parliament. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own structures, but not England.

I abhor the dual standards operated by MPs and Parliament in general. Recently the Barnsley and Rotherham MPs who were involved in the expenses fiddling row – rightly – faced the consequences of their actions. However, there are some who did not face the same sanctions as Eric Ilsley and Denis MacShane. Why?

Still on the subject of money, the way that political parties are funded is a disgrace – whether it be unions, or big business. Would I rather have publicly funded parties? Yes – particularly if it meant that there was a possibility that we could finally get away from ‘rotten boroughs’ – or should they be called ‘rotten parties’?

Politicians in general hold the electorate in utter contempt. We regularly get party leaders (of one hue or another) stating that they wish to ‘restore the public’s trust in politics’, then as soon as their turn comes around again they revert to type, and do exactly the same as the other mob. As examples, both Tony Blair and George Osborne when in opposition were vehemently opposed to the PFI initiative; when in power, they gave the system the green light for full speed ahead.

The voting system that we use encourages MPs and the political parties’ behaviour. I have lived in Barnsley for well over 30 years, yet for the first 15 years of that time we never received any party political leaflets through our letterbox – and why? Because there was no need. Only when Blair’s New Labour policies spawned the Barnsley Independent Group (or Old Labour) was there a modicum of a contest for the local elections – leaflets were then distributed.

The authors of the article show amazing naivety and simply believe that they can “require” young people vote. How? And is the next step requiring them to vote for a particular party? Also – along with many politicians – the authors are quite willing to quote what happens in other countries, but without giving the full picture. They quote for example, that turnout in Australian elections averages 94.5 per cent in the 24 elections since 1946. Probably true, but they omit to tell us that in Australian elections they use a preferential voting system, not the ‘first past the post’ system that we use.

The solution? I honestly don’t know. Lots of systems have been suggested – many far more workable and logical than those suggested by the authors. As an example, a ‘None of the Above’ box on voting slips would be a start and allow the disaffected a voice. Will it happen? Well, I’m not holding my breath!

I do know that I am not alone in my views; equally, I will not condone the current discriminatory, hypocritical, corrupt and restrictive system by voting for it.

From: Russ Piper, St Thomas’s Way, Green Hammerton, York.

I READ with interest the article by Guy Lodge and Sarah Birch about compulsory first time voting.

I am all for change for the good and democracy, but if compulsory first time voting is introduced for young people, let’s also make it compulsory for:

MPs to consult constituents more formally rather than represent their own views once elected to Westminster.

MPs to get their constituents’ approval before becoming a UN Ambassador or envoy and travelling the world. Employees ask their employers for time off.

Any MP who chooses to change parties immediately resigns, creates a by-election and then stands for that party. Then let their constituents decide.

True democracy caused by anything compulsory must not be confined to a narrow area.

From: Malcolm Naylor, Otley.

I TAKE issue with Ian McMillan’s (Yorkshire Post, April 30) disparaging remarks against those who choose not to vote. In the South Shields by-election, they amounted to 61 per cent of the electorate.

He dismisses them with the 
old Establishment cliché’ that “those who don’t vote can’t complain, have no say and non-voters don’t count”.

On the contrary, the mere act of boycotting an election is a protest against a corrupt and undemocratic system.

Mr McMillan’s remarks are straight from the Jeremy Clarkson School of arrogance and bigotry, which are typical of the prejudiced rubbish used by Establishment hacks who support a failed democracy.