D-Day celebrations vs. Euro election turnout

[mtbfix]

So we spent the last week celebrating and honouring the young men who poured onto the beaches of Normandy to free Europe from Hitler's grasp and to ensure continued democracy for the people. Then, toward the end of the week, we show how valued their contribution to freedom was by sitting at home in our droves and not voting in the European elections (35% turnout).

Voting; privelege, right or obligation? Discuss.

And well done to the voters of Manchester and Humberside for being so short sighted that they actually elected two members representing an extremeist party that has elements who deny the Holocaust. FFS what have we come to?

 

[al]

Very sad time for lots of european countries with the rise of Nationalism!

The far right vote in britain has gone down but the fact that the "average"
voter couldn't be arsed getting off the sofa and putting a cross in a box, means that the likes of Nick scum Griffin gets a voice in europe.

The BNP will never be a threat in british politics but if voter apathy continues, i think they may well win a few more seats in the future.

The biggest threat is the Tory party getting in to bed with euro Nazis,they are the biggest threat as ever.

Al, A Mancunian Socialist and proud.

 

[Easy_Rider]

I vote, always do, i feel it is an obligation to do so.

While I would agree with someone who refused to vote in protest (although the best way to protest in my opinion is to spoil the paper, as there is no "none of the above"), I do get rather annoyed by people who just cannot be bothered.

On a separate note, i chanced upon one of these citizenship books that foreigners have to revise and sit an exam for to become citizens (subjects really, why we call it citizens :roll: ) and the information they need to learn I doubt most of the population of the UK are aware of! More needs to be taught in schools in my opinion.

 

[hamster]

I think the OP made an excellent point.

Maybe I'm just getting middle aged, but I had wet eyes standing to the 'Last Post' on Sat evening facing 8 D-Day Veterans.

Never had it before, I guess being a parent makes you more aware of sacrifice and loss of a child.

 

[LQQK]

Along the lines of Rousseau's theory of forcing people to be free, voting here is compulsory.

 

[Russell]

Along the lines of Rousseau's theory of forcing people to be free, voting here is compulsory.

Yeah, but how many people have been prosecuted for not voting?

There is no rise in Nationalism. Because of the recession, the perceived bad handling of it by the Govt and the expenses scandals, the elections have been skewed by two groups of people, those who have voted for a minority party as a protest, and those who have not voted at all as a protest.

As mentioned above, those who wish to protest should go to the ballot box and spoil their papers but as there is no 'none of the above' option, people choose not to vote instead. Its not necessarily voter apathy.

Its a blip. One that will be corrected when everyone calms down again and 'the public' feel less need to whip the mainstream parties.

 

[mattbrown]

good to see the pirate party in Sweden getting a member to the EU

 

[orange71]

the BNP actually polled less votes than last time - it's only because there were generally fewer voters this time they got in.

 

[LQQK]

[/quote] Yeah, but how many people have been prosecuted for not voting?[/quote]

Anecdotally I would say hundreds (1,000s?) after each election. I’m sure I can find the statistics if you want me too.

In Australia you must register to be on the electoral roll once you turn 18. Every few year’s people from the Electoral Commission do the door to door thing to make sure everyone in the household is registered, if not they just give you the paper work to fill out and register. If you don’t vote it is a civil not a criminal offence and a $50 fine.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Yeah, but how many people have been prosecuted for not voting?

Anecdotally I would say hundreds (1,000s?) after each election. I’m sure I can find the statistics if you want me too.

In Australia you must register to be on the electoral roll once you turn 18. Every few year’s people from the Electoral Commission do the door to door thing to make sure everyone in the household is registered, if not they just give you the paper work to fill out and register. If you don’t vote it is a civil not a criminal offence and a $50 fine.

I don't agree with forced voting at all, but to be honest, with the number of people who don't vote because they cannot be bothered here in the UK something must be done. I don't think the 70% odd who didn't vote this week were protesting at all, maybe 10% of that max. And I don't believe it's up to the politicians to get people inspired to vote. It comes down to education and the power of your vote for change. People say i don't bother they are all the same anyway, well if enough people go out and spoil their paper then something WILL change. So many people have fought and died for this, not just in the two WW but before that too. What about all the women who fought for the vote? It's not right the situation we are in now.