Now, how do we get the great unwashed to take a proper interest in politics and then take the extra step and vote? How many times have we all heard the phrase “I don’t do politics!” Usually spouted as some sort of high minded mantra by a loud mouthed beer swilling git. These people then parade their refusal to vote as a badge of honour.
Politicians and their party analysts know this. They go to great lengths to ensure that they only expend time, energy and money where they are likely to get a good return. Which is why most people never have a politician on their doorstep?
The people that do vote normally understand its importance and have views on such things as tax, social inequality and economics. The outcome of political decisions is then obviously geared towards them and their needs. This is seen by some as a just situation, but to me it skews society and leads to injustice and a two tier system. In my limited experience non-voters are those that feel that voting will make no difference to their lives. These are the very people that should be empowered by the electoral system.
Consider the following: Why vote when you live in a ‘safe seat’ area? Whichever way you vote it feels like it is wasted effort. Why bother voting now or in 2010? Whatever way you vote the Tories are going to win.
The problem is that unless everyone exercises their vote we will never know what the true feelings of the electorate are. We also end up with a government that does not serve the real needs of the people properly. That means the real needs of the economy are not met.
So how do we get most people to vote? Well, we could force them by law, but this would be draconian and probably infringe on human rights. We could try and increase the sophistication of the electorate by educating them, which has been tried and doesn’t seem to work. We could try making politics sexy …….. yeah okay, point taken.
The final option and my favourite one is to dumb down the elections.
Please bear with me on this one. What you do is have (at current count) 647 separate lotteries for a general election. Each constituency has a £100,000 local lottery and a big £1,000,000 national lottery. Do the maths; it’s a small price to pay to get everyone involved. Every unspoilt vote cast goes into both draws. The draws take place 24 hours after all election results are confirmed with all the pomp and ceremony of the national Lottery.
Now, because money is involved there would be a proper move towards combating election fraud. Also, the poorest and neediest would ensure they voted as they now have a real reason to. People would make sure their granny in hospital could vote, so polling would have to be as accessible as possible. Even in the safest seats there would be a massive turnout. Politicians would have to really start talking to and listening to all the electorate. Also, as the tickets are free, there is no gambling so there would be no moral or religious objections.
Only ‘high-minded’ people frightened of really empowering people would feel uncomfortable and argue against it.
Once proved we could extend the principle into EU and local elections.
It would make elections widely supported, accessible and fun, what more do you want?
I’m now working on a Big Brother / Apprentice selection process for politicians.
Author: Dolphin
Originally posted 07/06/2009
