To think voting should be compulsory

[TheoriginalLEM]

Im not sure what % of people didn't vote in this current shit show. But a significant number im sure. Even if there was a third "i don't give a fuck" option, we might have a clearer of what "the people" actually want.

I voted to stay but now i just want this over.

The government do what they want because the know people won't vote.

But the majority of people DO vote

72.21% of voters turned out for the EU refernedum... highest turnouts we have had in a while.

77.7% in 1992 GE.
I guess that 1992 result should have stood for all time, then, you know, coz otherwise we might be endangering democracy to allow for more voting opportunities.

It should not be about listening to those who shout the loudest

Some Brexit supporters threaten how angry they will be and that they will riot if they don't get their way. These threats seem to carry a lot of weight politically. The loudest most violent threats are winning after all.

Not voting is just unthinkable to me, so many people sacrificed so much so I would have that right.

I am Australian, nothing bad happens if you don't vote. You get a letter asking for a reason. You either provide one (as my DH did when he was travelling once during an election) or you receive a small fine.

It has occurred to me that perhaps compulsory isn't the best way but as someone upthread pointed out it does tend to mean the politicians can't just write off entire sections of the public. As one commentator here recently noted it "nudges our politics towards the middle", and the middle seems about right to me.

Also, your lack of BBQs and general enjoyment of the process may mean that it wouldn't work so well there. 😁

Yabu although i get annoyed if people don't.

I agree with compulsory voting, but there has to be an option on the ballot paper for 'None of these' and for that to be counted as a proper vote, not as a spoiled ballot paper. Also, make it more widely known how to get a postal or proxy vote.

I also agree with there being a fine for not voting. I know it means more admin costing more than fines would amount to - I had in mind £50 - but if it's compulsory there has to be some penalty for not voting.

Re this thing being over, that isn't going to happen. This is just the start, and negotiations with the EU and other countries will be ongoing permanently. Trade agreements take years; Kevin Rudd, the Aussie ex-prime minister said a few weeks ago that negotiations with India started 10 years ago and still aren't finalised. Swiss and Norwegian politicians, whose countries have agreements with the EU, said that they are in a permanent negotiations with the EU, and do we really want to be in that position? Being a member of it is much easier, and probably cheaper overall.

If you're going to make voting mandatory, then there needs to be a 'I don't want to vote for any of these choices' box. There also needs to be more education around politics at a school level. Not sure how you'd achieve it without bias, but I left school without a clue about anything to do with Westminster, how government works, how voting works or what each party stands for. How on earth could I make an informed decision and vote? I still don't understand it as much as I'd like to, but lack of time to study it in depth is my main issue.
I don't believe in any of the parties, I spoil my ballot paper to reflect this. I do that because one day maybe there will be enough like me who don't believe in any party and things will start to change. Not holding my breath though.

Brilliantidiot how will things change?

@Dapplegrey

I don't think they will to be honest, I don't think it ever will, because to people like me all the parties, the whole of Westminster is just an old boys club that is first and foremost, self serving. With everyone else coming a poor second.
I'd like to see a new party, or the parties we have looking at the real issues and dealing with them, not a load of promises at election time and then a load of excuses when things get worse or don't change.
I don't believe in any of the parties, from what I did read at the last general election in an attempt to be better informed about it, I came thinking that none of them represent what I'd like to see - the average working man on the street represented. I was under the impression labour was this party for a long time (family influence) but actually I don't think any are, I think they're all for themselves. Maybe that's human nature though.

I don't think voting would ever be mandatory, unless people are employed to watch that people actually do it and then it's not a private vote anymore.
I suppose they could make you attend and spoil the paper, but unless they listened to the none voters it won't mean a thing, or change anything.

@cardibach Sat 23-Mar-19 19:18:49

PlainSpeaking you would t want to live in Australia, Belgium or Greece? Just 3 countries who have compulsory voting.

Australia - no thanks - not in this life time
Belgium - you'd have to sell it to me - whats Belgium got that I might like?
Greece - cant stop laughing you've just suggested it

If we believe in a level of freedom, then it should include the option not to vote. Though I disagree with Jehovahs Witnesses non-participation and people who argue all politicians are the same.

Could the process be made easier such as allowing voting at the polling station nearest to your place of work, or e-voting?