Unlock Democracy: No turnout threshold

Tuesday, 6 July 2010 12:00 AM

Alexandra Runswick, deputy director of Unlock Democracy, comments on the coalition government's voting reform package:

"Unlock Democracy welcomes confirmation that the prime minister's power to choose the date of the election is finally being consigned to history. Fixed term parliaments are an important rebalancing of power from the executive to parliament. These new proposals are stronger than those initially announced and far more likely to stand the test of time. It is good to see the government listening and engaging constructively.

"We welcome this historic announcement and look forward to actively campaigning for the abolition of the outdated first past the post system. After weeks of speculation, the public can now look forward to a long overdue debate about our electoral system and the chance to change to a system which gives them more choice at the ballot box.

"We look forward to seeing the details of the bill and campaigning vigorously for AV in May next year."

Commenting on reports that some MPs are planning to table amendments to the bill to introduce a turnout threshold of 40% of the total electorate for a yes result to be binding, Ms Runswick added:

"This referendum must not be derailed by politicians who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Both David Cameron and Nick Clegg should join Unlock Democracy in opposing any moves to prevent people having their say.

"These proposed amendments are as ill-advised as they are undemocratic. International experience shows that thresholds on turnout just stifle debate. Supporters of the status quo don't have to win the argument; they just have to convince people to stay at home. If this threshold was applied one MP is on record saying the Yes Vote would require an 80% turnout to succeed. Unlock Democracy finds it disappointing yet unsurprising that some MPs are trying to rig the deck in this way.

"People should feel confident when casting their vote that their opinion is being listened to and that their ballot counts. Public distrust of politicians is already at an all time high. Nothing could be worse for restoring trust in this era of 'new politics' than the perception that MPs had rigged the result of the referendum."

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