Should Voting Be Made Cumpulsory in the Uk

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Discursive Essay “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Louis L’Amour In many countries around the world individuals can choose to vote, or not to vote, as they see fit. In some countries; Australia, Switzerland and Singapore for example, it is compulsory to vote in elections and is a punishable offence if you do not. Some say it would benefit our country if citizens were forced to vote others say that it would compromise our rights to do so, in this essay I intend to bring forward arguments for both for and against compulsory voting in Britain. Firstly an argument for compulsory voting in Britain is that in all democracies around the world, voter apathy is highest amongst the poor and uneducated. These are the most poorly represented people in society as they are intimidated by politics and feel that their one vote would make no difference to their situation so feel that voting would be a waste of time. However, because these groups in society such as the unemployed do not vote, political parties do not create policies to meet their needs. This means that a vicious circle begins and the unrepresented go on being unrepresented because they do not vote. If voting was compulsory these groups in society would have no choice but to take a greater interest in politics and by voting or talking to their local MP their situation may be improved by the introduction of new policies. Furthermore the right to vote in a democracy is more of a privilege than a right, as so many people have fought for their right to vote. In the last century alone people have died fighting for this right, the Suffragettes are an example of this. Many people say that because of this we should respect and honour their sacrifice by using our right to vote because now we as a nation can
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