Parliament: Ministers to tackle apathy of electorate
VOTING
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.COMPULSORY VOTING is being considered by the Home Office as one move to tackle growing apathy among the electorate that was reflected in the poor turn-outs for European and local elections.
MPs were told yesterday that Home Office ministers will raise the issue with party leaders at their next cross-party meeting and there could be plans for a wider public debate.
Ministers are looking at other countries where compulsory voting has worked, including Australia where it ensured a high turn-out in the referendum to keep the Queen as head of state.
Last night there was a sceptical reaction from the Tories. "We don't like compulsion. The way Downing Street works, they would probably make it an offence to vote the wrong way," one senior Tory source said.
The pressure for a public debate on compulsory voting came from the cross- party Select Committee on Home Affairs, which recommended the Government should keep in mind the much higher rate of voting in democracies where such a system operated.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments