Should Individual Votes Be Weighted ?

[Mr Bojangles]

It isn’t now, there are only a minority of voter who’s vote really counts for anything. They all live in the swing seat areas.

Whenever it comes, the next general election will be won and lost in roughly 100 key constituencies. These are the people that count in the system we have.

 

But I do agree that non contributors to society and criminals shouldn’t have a right to vote. Voting should be one of the perks of being a good citizen.

Now there's the truth - and something that very few people really take on board.

[HeadingNorth]

You know, the expression 'many a true word spoken in jest' does spring to mind.

 

Would the country be a better place, would our politicians be under a more effective leash, if we limited voting by either educational standard or some sort of compulsory intellect test?

 

Almost certainly not. Limiting democracy according to any standard has invariably led to worse problems.

[Mr Bojangles]

Almost certainly not. Limiting democracy according to any standard has invariably led to worse problems.

Well, we disagree. I think the zoo keepers are better able to judge how to run the zoo than the animals.

[MrSmith]

Allowing some people to vote is like allowing parasites to make decisions on behalf of their hosts.

[Mr Bojangles]

Allowing some people to vote is like allowing parasites to make decisions on behalf of their hosts.

Tell 'em like it is!!!!!!

[Conrod]

Allowing some people to vote is like allowing parasites to make decisions on behalf of their hosts.

It does seem a shame that intelligent, well-intentioned voters can read into what the prospective parties actually represent and make a well-judged vote, which might be offset by some dunderhead who doesn't understand anything about the world in which they live or have a clue why he or she is making a particular vote.

[donuticus]

While certain sections of the community may not pay Income Tax the notion that some people pay no tax is ridiculous.

 

VAT is 20% on many goods.

Fuel/VED is payable by people who own vehicles.

Alcohol duty is paid by all who drink.

 

I think you would be hard pushed to find someone who had never paid tax.

[Halibut]

I think it's an idea as absurd as it's abhorrent.

[Guest sibon]

It does seem a shame that intelligent, well-intentioned voters can read into what the prospective parties actually represent and make a well-judged vote, which might be offset by some dunderhead who doesn't understand anything about the world in which they live or have a clue why he or she is making a particular vote.

 

You shouldn't be so harsh.

 

I've met a few fairly intelligent Tories

[Conrod]

While certain sections of the community may not pay Income Tax the notion that some people pay no tax is ridiculous.

 

VAT is 20% on many goods.

Fuel/VED is payable by people who own vehicles.

Alcohol duty is paid by all who drink.

 

I think you would be hard pushed to find someone who had never paid tax.

Anybody who only buys goods using somebody else's money is paying no tax themselves - the taxpayer pays all of a claimant's tax, be it fuel, alcohol or vat.