ii) Extension of the franchise Flashcards
At the start of the 20th century, what % of men and woman could still not vote?
40%
What was passed in 1918?
The Representation of the People Act – allowed all men and women over 21 and women over 30 that fulfilled a property qualification to vote
10 years later women were allowed to vote at 21
What was passed in 1969?
Another Representation of the People Act that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
What is meant by the term “franchise”?
The right to vote
“Evaluate the view that the franchise needs to be widened further in the UK”
What essay themes?
- 16/17-year-olds
- Prisoners
- Compulsory voting
Arguments for 16- and 17-year-olds getting the vote:
- At 16 young people have significant freedom and responsibility eg. pay tax, join armed forces, marriage so it is illogical to call them immature
- Young people are more aware of political issues and able to cast a well-informed judgement – citizenship and adults not necessarily more aware
- 16- and 17-year-olds were given vote in 2014 Scottish Independence and engaged very positively with 75% turnout
Arguments against 16- and 17-year-olds getting the vote:
- 16- and 17-year-olds have limited life experience to base their voting on – more subject to peer pressure or parental influence + policies are aimed at older voters
- Turnout amongst 18–24-year-olds is lower than any other age group so 16/17-year-olds will simply add to problem of voter apathy
- Few countries have voting age of 16 which demonstrates its unpopularity
Why in the UK do prisoners not have the right to vote?
They are deemed to have lost their rights of citizenship for the duration of their sentence
Who took the UK government to court in 2001 to argue for prisoners right to vote?
John Hirst, he lost
BUT in 2004 the ECHR argued the ban on prisoner voting went against Article 3 of the ECHR
What pressure groups favour votes for prisoners?
Liberty and Howard League for Penal Reform – little public support
Arguments for prisoners getting the vote:
- Voting is a human right - European Court ruling in 2004 that the UK was in breach of Human Rights by denying the vote to prisoners
- Voting should be part of education and rehabilitation
- Still UK citizens
Arguments against prisoners getting the vote:
- Rights v Responsibility – by breaking the law you should forfeit your right
- Parliament has consistently voted against allowing prisoners the vote and parliament is sovereign
- Prisoners should be for punishment not rehabilitation according to conservatives
How many countries have made voting a legal requirement? + example
20 countries eg. Australia introduced in 1920s and 2016 turnout was 91%
Arguments for compulsory voting:
- Voting isn’t just a right but a civic responsibility – could have an important educational benefit as people more likely to inform themselves
- Low voter turnout and voter apathy are major issues which can undermine legitimacy of elections eg. young, poor, and ethnic minority voters less likely to vote so politicians feel less accountable to these groups – compulsory voting stops this
- Compulsory voting does not remove the voters right to reject all candidates as a “none of the above” option is available
Arguments against compulsory voting:
- Forcing people to vote is an infringement of their civil liberties – people have a right to choose to vote and should not be pressured by politicians
- Compulsory voting could lead to people making ill-informed choices that undermine the legitimacy of the election result
- In 2017, 64% of 18–24-year-olds voted (high) due to exciting policies eg. tuition fees and the environment so demonstrates that there isn’t a need for compulsory voting
- Not voting can be a conscious well-informed decision
