NO2ID

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4648095.stm

On the face of it, it sounds reasonable, but what will the do when they realise the VAST majority of the country tick 'none of the above' ??

I'd take it further and suggest if a certain percentage of the population (50%) tick the none of the above box that the entire political apparatus of the country should be required to resign instantly.

(and maybe replaced with the first 650 people chosen at random, via the phone book)

IMHO, Labour want the illiterate and the apathetic to be made to vote, purely and simply because if they were compelled to vote they would be more likely to vote for the status quo, rather than against it.

A potato forced out off the coach to go to the polling station is unlikely to vote for the gov't that forced them.

So people without phones and ex-directory people aren't fit to govern, eh?

Shame on you

Clearly any sensible random phone selection would need to eliminate those that downloaded the 'crazy frog'.

You could choose them from the NIR.....

....I knew there had to be a good use for it!

Yet another incredible piece of ministerial doublespeak.

'People should be forced to vote to preserve democracy'

Errr..... Isn't it an important tenet of democracy that people have the choice whether to vote or not?

This crew really are beyond the pale.


Justin.

What's the difference if people choose to abstain by not voting or by ticking "none of the above"?

They are certainly fond of making things "compulsory" aren't they?

Anyone noticed how "Continental" we're becoming? Sadly.

I think Hoon has made a BIG blunder..

can you imagine a news item in the future ??

70 per cent of the country SPECIFICALLY selected 'None of the above'..

that would lead to a bigger claim of political illegitimacy than is claimed now through apathy.

that would tear a hole right through the political 'mandate'

in a way I think it's a quite fantastic idea.

You don't need to make it compulsory. Just add a "none of the above" box and voter turnout will increase by itself.

It's always been possible to post a blank or spoiled ballot paper, these are counted. Given that the number of B&S votes has traditionally been very low in this country, a substantial protest would be obvious.