THERE has recently been some debate in the national press around compulsory voting in elections. This arose just before the announcement about the general election, a development perhaps reinforcing its relevance.

Some complain loudly that there are too many elections, and that they see no point in voting. They can’t then complain about the result they get.

I suggest it’s a wrong attitude particularly at a time when traditional party loyalties have so completely broken down, politics are polarised and the majority of people have little faith in party programmes or in leaders lacking any kind of clear mandate.

In normal times that might not matter so much. Now it is crucial whether we are talking of local or national elections or indeed a referendum.

In past elections, 2010 for instance, non-voters outnumbered the supporters of any other political party. What a sad reflection on our democratic process!

The question is, should voting be enforced by sanction (i.e. by fine as in Australia) or induced by incentive. A related issue arising here is whether voting should be regarded as a civic right or a civic duty. It is a crucial distinction understood by those denied democratic rights in certain countries. My view is that it should be regarded as a duty in an advanced democracy such as ours.

However as a former magistrate I’ve spent untold hours with colleagues seeking to recover unpaid (mostly small) fines for minor motoring offences or smoking illegal substances.

The additional court workload likely to arise from making this a fining offence would be unsupportable.

If voting is considered a civic duty rather than a right, then there should be a long term incentive. One answer might be a points system operated via national insurance.

Every time you vote you get a small bonus added to your pension rights. Thus you earn a modest but appropriate reward for many years fulfilling your civic duty and helping to stabilise your country’s politics.

So let us all make an effort to get out and use our votes in the forthcoming elections.

DAVID LORT-PHILLIPS

Lawrenny