warrington worldwide ~ View topic

Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 25790 Location: Warrington

Should prisoners be allowed to vote? Confused

Well yes, according to the EUSSR and if the UK refuse, they could be subjected to legal action by the EU Human Rights Starsi, Shocked

This debate was on Radio Manchester this morning.
What I don't understand, is why these people in prison should have the same rights as those outside.
They are criminals who are paying a debt to society. they choose to be there, and should see it as a punishment and loss of normal things that they get on the outside. NO!
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Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 6504 Location: Glazebury

They have much better rights than those outside, free board & lodgings, regular meals, spending money, Satellite TVs & game Stations and they can smoke. They may as well be allowed to vote, they can certainly find the time.
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Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 2031

Didn't we have this thread a bit ago? Far as I am concerned, if you choose not to abide by the rules of society, you don't get to enjoy the benefits and your opinion is irrelevant, so any CONVICTED person in prison shouldn't get to vote. Remand prisoners should, as they may or may not have done it.

Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 5980 Location: Stockton Heath

I'd like to say NO as they have rescinded (if that's the right word) all their RIGHTS as they have been found guilty of a crime...

but having looked at the criteria for who is eligable to vote they might as well be allowed to Confused

Qualifying Commonwealth citizen

Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are [b]Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK who are entitled to register to vote provided that they also fulfil the age requirement for registration and are not subject to any other legal incapacity. Citizens of the following countries meet the nationality criteria to register in respect of all elections:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Cameroon
Canada
Cyprus*
Dominica
Fiji Islands**
The Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta*
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the
Grenadines
Samoa
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe**
*Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus and Malta are eligible to be registered to vote in respect of all elections held in the UK.

**Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe retain their voting rights despite Fiji being currently suspended from the Commonwealth and Zimbabwe having withdrawn from the Commonwealth in 2003. The voting rights are laid out in the British Nationality Act 1981 and are not affected by subsequent circumstances; they could only be altered by an Act of the UK Parliament.

Perhaps they should be able to vote, but only for politicians that are banged up in the same prison as them Wink

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Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 25790 Location: Warrington

Well, I find it difficult to believe Diz, but your research would appear to prove, if proof were needed, just what a joke they,ve turned this once great Nation into. Twisted Evil

Joined: 10 Jul 2002 Posts: 4098 Location: Paddington

The answer from me is no but I doubt many prisoners would loose much sleep over this one.

Bill Smile

Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1354 Location: Newton le Willows

String 'em up...it's the only language they understand.
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Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 5980 Location: Stockton Heath

Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 25790 Location: Warrington

Unfortunately, we have two main political Parties so wrapped up in winning electoral power, but without the intellectual capacity to use that power; that they will resort to any electoral massaging to get it - recall Maggie enfranchising the ex-Pats; now New Labour are trying to use the prison population and immigrants to get them elected - it's rather pathetic. Nowadays we are plagued with self seeking politicians interested only in party advantage and career; without statesmen who have the national interest at heart and are capable of the long term view. Twisted Evil

Will they get to go to the Polling Station. Wink

Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Dallam

YES ! but only if they can attend an official polling station Laughing

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Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 394 Location: Appleton

Yes, and no doubt at the same time as they get the vote the polling stations will be the local pubs......and they'll probably get a pint at the taxpayers expense.......just so's they don't feel disincluded! What a flaming farce this country is turning into! Rolling Eyes

Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 3718 Location: warrington

how would this one work then. if you are a "native" of Warrington but have been convicted in Scotland and are serving your sentence there. do you have a vote in the Scottish elections or the English elections.

more to the point who will pay the expenses for our canvassers to visit the prospective voters Shocked

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