Govt to offer 'free donuts' to voters
Wednesday, 9 July 2008 12:00 AM
Voters could receive free donuts or entries to a prize draw in exchange for voting by local councils, under the government's new white paper on community empowerment.
The white paper suggests providing "incentives for voting in local government elections", such as by prize draws. The previous chairman of the Councillors Commission, Dame Jane Roberts, has suggested that this could involve free donuts.
The proposal is designed to encourage a higher turnout, but the Conservatives have already jumped in the idea as proof of Labour's desperation to convince its core voters to turn up on polling day.
"This will allow Labour councils to mobilise the disillusioned and demoralised Labour core vote at taxpayers' expense," a spokesperson said.
Other proposals in the white paper include 'remote voting' for councillors so they can contribute to council meeting when unable to attend in person and a weakening of the rule whereby council officers cannot become councillors.
Shadow local government secretary Eric Pickles said: "These policies are the product of a bankrupt Labour party, wanting to stuff more cash into the pockets of Labour councillors, bribe their voters, bring back jobs for the boys and slip in back-door state funding."
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