March 2010 - On the couch
Should voting be
made compulsory?
This month, three Candis readers share their opinions on the
importance of voting and whether everyone should be made to use
their vote - or lose it
Louise
Weatherhead, 58
Mum to three older children, she lives with her husband in
Stratford-upon-Avon. She thinks that it should remain a matter of
choice whether to vote or not.
Clare Booth,
28
The manager at an outdoor activity centre, she lives in Merseyside.
She can't believe some people don't vote and feels the
British are very lucky to be able to decide on their Government.
Sara Hawkins,
45
A Shropshire native, she runs her own complementary health centre.
She says we should be encouraged to vote, but it should not be made
compulsory as that would go against democracy.
Do you usually vote?
Clare: "I do, but only in general elections
really."
Sara: "I vote in local and general elections.
I always try to vote when there's an election on, but it's
not always been that obvious when European ones have been happening
and so I've missed those."
Louise: "I don't vote at all."
Clare: "Have you never voted in your
life?"
Louise: "I have voted, but not recently,
no."
Clare: "Why not?"
Louise: "I'm confused at the moment with
everything that's going on with MPs, I don't feel confident
I'll be voting for the right person to do what's right for
the country. Besides, I've got enough family politics to deal
with, without getting involved in world issues!"
Do you feel that it's worth voting?
Sara: "I do because, if you don't,
you've got no rights or influence. I don't always know how
effective my vote will be, because once you've voted for
someone, you can't really control what they do."
Clare: "I think that it's definitely
worth it, especially when you realise people have died to allow us
the right to vote."
Louise: "Even so, it does seem that less
people have been voting in the last few years. Sometimes I do feel
guilty about not voting, but I just don't feel confident that I
know enough about who or what I'm voting for. I feel it's
better not to vote than vote blindly."
Sara: "Actually, it is difficult to know what
you're voting for. There's so much spin, PR and scandal
surrounding politicians. I find I have to get a manifesto and read
what they're pledging to do. Of course, I don't always
believe it, but I think you just have to have a bit of faith. If
they're putting something forward and you've voted for that
then you have the right to push them for it."
Clare: "I just think, if you don't vote
then you have no right to complain about anything."
Louise: "That's the reason why I
don't complain!"
View video footage of the candis debate
To read the rest of this article either join or turn to page 42 of your
March issue.
IN YOUR OPINION
Should voting be made compulsory? (CLOSED)
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Comments:
"I am all in favour of democracy, but feel increasingly that ours in Britain is in danger.We had no say in the election of the present Prime Minister and appointments are usually hived off into committees, so again we in the general public have no say. The recent expenses scandal has become a whitewash, but I fear that many people will still opt out of voting.Perhaps an element of compulsion, even if it were simply to tick an abstain box would make our apathetic electorate at least think about the issues."
Valerie Hyland - Sunday 21st Feb 2010