Hoon calls for compulsory voting

Geoff Hoon has backed compulsory voting as a way of getting people more engaged in politics.

In a controversial move, the Commons leader also supported progress towards voting by text in future elections.

Hoon was speaking to the Institute for Public Policy Research about his concerns over low turnouts in the last two general elections.

He suggested non-voters should either be fined or given a small incentive such as a council tax discount for turning up at the polling booth.

Voters would be entitled to spoil their ballot paper, so long as they attend the polling station.

Or if voting becomes electronic they should at least register their decision not to vote, the Commons leader argued.

In the speech Hoon said the problem was not apathy but alienation  - the feeling that a vote will not change anything and the perception that decisions taken in parliament makes no difference.

Voting

On compulsory voting Hoon said international experience showed this was the most effective way to increase turnout.

It would also "bring back the sense that we can all work together".

Surveys have suggested that an element of compulsion can increase turnout by around 10 per cent.

And in Australia, where compulsory voting is enforced, turnout in recent elections was 92 per cent, he said.

Hoon added: "In many ways, it is the logical extension of the legal demand we place on citizens to register to vote.

"And I believe it will make campaigning in election periods more healthy and more engaging."

Technology

New technology also formed a key part of Hoon's vision for the future of voting.

He said there have been proposals for a modern e-voting system that would include an online electoral register, online registration and application for postal votes text message voting, and electronic counting and collating of election results.

"Millions vote using text messages in the reality TV shows that sometimes seem  to dominate our television screens," he said.

"Would it really be such a huge step to extend this option to voting in general elections?"

Police time

The Conservatives responded to Hoon's proposals by saying police should focus on cracking down on crime rather than forcing people to vote.

Oliver Heald, shadow constitutional affairs secretary, also warned against any move to extend voting by text message.

"Electronic voting is even more insecure than all-postal voting, and local election pilots have shown it to be both expensive and ineffective at increasing turnout," he said.

"Polls like Big Brother may notionally attract large numbers, but they include large amounts of repeat voting and votes cast by those under the age of 18.

"There is little public support to make it a criminal offence not to vote.

"At a time when anti-social behaviour and violent crime is out of control, the police have better things to do.

"The challenge for politicians is to excite electors with their ideas."