Compulsory Voting Is Needed to Combat 'Disastrously Low' UK Turnout, Report Argues
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Keir Starmer's Government should introduce "Australian-style" compulsory voting to combat the "disastrously low" voter turnout seen at the last UK general election, according to a new report.
The call from the Constitution Society comes amid an ongoing trend of reducing turnout at General Elections. The last General Election saw overall turnout of registered voters fall to 59.8%, a historic low.
But the "real" turnout, including those who could be on the electoral roll but are missing, was around 53%, according to the IPPR think tank.
The report argues that even these numbers mask "stark disparities" in turnout rates on the basis of class, race, age, and housing tenure.
The Constitution Society paper argues that disparities in electoral turnout are creating "warped incentives" for governments, which are pushed to prioritise the interests of higher-turnout demographics - often wealthier voters - over those of wider public.
"The consequences of these warped incentives are policies that contribute to high inequality and low economic growth," they say.
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The result is that unequal turnout in elections "risks trapping British politics in a spiral of stagnation and discontent, ultimately threatening the long-term health of our democracy."
Compulsory voting would likely involve, as in Australia, a small fine - of around £10 - for not participating, which is waived if there is a valid excuse. In Australia, that leads to turnouts of 90% or more.
Backers of change quote the political scientist V.O. Key Jr. who said in 1949: "The blunt truth is that politicians and officials are under no compulsion to pay much heed to classes and groups of citizens that do not vote."
Data from Ipsos's UK Knowledge Panel suggests that turnout at the 2024 general election was:
13 percentage points higher amongst white people than amongst ethnic minorities
22 points higher amongst the highest social grades AB than amongst (more working class) social grades DE
34 points higher amongst those aged 65+ than amongst those aged 18-24
36 points higher amongst outright homeowners than amongst private and
social renters
And now YouGov polling, commissioned for the report, shows that a plurality of the public would support the introduction of compulsory voting. And a resounding majority, 72% of Brits, are w
Packed with exclusive investigations, analysis, and features
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Keir Starmer's Government should introduce "Australian-style" compulsory voting to combat the "disastrously low" voter turnout seen at the last UK general election, according to a new report.
The call from the Constitution Society comes amid an ongoing trend of reducing turnout at General Elections. The last General Election saw overall turnout of registered voters fall to 59.8%, a historic low.
But the "real" turnout, including those who could be on the electoral roll but are missing, was around 53%, according to the IPPR think tank.
The report argues that even these numbers mask "stark disparities" in turnout rates on the basis of class, race, age, and housing tenure.
The Constitution Society paper argues that disparities in electoral turnout are creating "warped incentives" for governments, which are pushed to prioritise the interests of higher-turnout demographics - often wealthier voters - over those of wider public.
"The consequences of these warped incentives are policies that contribute to high inequality and low economic growth," they say.
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Receive the monthly Byline Times newspaper and help to support fearless, independent journalism that breaks stories, shapes the agenda and holds power to account.
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PAY MONTHLY - £3.75 A MONTH
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We're not funded by a billionaire oligarch or an offshore hedge-fund. We rely on our readers to fund our journalism. If you like what we do, please subscribe.
The result is that unequal turnout in elections "risks trapping British politics in a spiral of stagnation and discontent, ultimately threatening the long-term health of our democracy."
Compulsory voting would likely involve, as in Australia, a small fine - of around £10 - for not participating, which is waived if there is a valid excuse. In Australia, that leads to turnouts of 90% or more.
Backers of change quote the political scientist V.O. Key Jr. who said in 1949: "The blunt truth is that politicians and officials are under no compulsion to pay much heed to classes and groups of citizens that do not vote."
Data from Ipsos's UK Knowledge Panel suggests that turnout at the 2024 general election was:
13 percentage points higher amongst white people than amongst ethnic minorities
22 points higher amongst the highest social grades AB than amongst (more working class) social grades DE
34 points higher amongst those aged 65+ than amongst those aged 18-24
36 points higher amongst outright homeowners than amongst private and
social renters
And now YouGov polling, commissioned for the report, shows that a plurality of the public would support the introduction of compulsory voting. And a resounding majority, 72% of Brits, are w
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