Unlock Democracy: London's largest online hustings launches

Unlock Democracy logo for press releases

Friday, 04, Apr 2008 12:00

What does Ken think about cannabis? Does Boris consider poverty to be a priority? Find out on Vote Match!

Unlock Democracy has launched Vote Match London, an online quiz designed to help Londoners decide who to vote for in the elections for Mayor and Assembly. All ten Mayoral candidates and the thirteen political parties standing for the London-wide Assembly elections have provided their answers to a survey which forms the basis of the web application.

As well as matching their views against the candidates', voters can give specific policies extra weight. The results screen enables them to examine the candidates' views in more detail and points them to where they can get more information.

The candidates' responses reveal some surprising results. You may be aware that the Green Party want to lift the ban on feeding pigeons, but did you know that only the One London Party agree with them? Ken Livingstone thinks the police should let people caught in possession with cannabis off with a warning so the police can concentrate on tackling hard drugs but Brian Paddick, who piloted this policy when he was the Lambeth Police Chief, disagrees.

Vote Match has been produced in association with the Dutch Institute for Public and Politics (IPP), which has been developing Vote Match (known as Stemwijzer in Dutch) since 1989. The Vote Match system has been used in the latest European, French, German, Swiss and Hungarian elections and a version was launched earlier this year for the US Presidential Primaries.

Vote Match London has already received glowing reports:

"I really welcome Vote Match because it allows people to check out their own views on issues and then to discover which candidates agree with them. The online aspect should especially appeal to younger and first time voters. Once people get interested they may go on sharing their views of how London should be run, through other channels. A great project, well done!"

Marian Larragy, Policy Participation Co-ordinator, London Civic Forum

"VoteMatch is clearly set out and simple to use tool with great potential to help inform and empower voters."

Martin Hocsik, Editor of MayorWatch.co.uk

"Anything that increases the likelihood of people to play a full and positive role in the democratic process is to be applauded. No less is this true than in the race for the London Mayor where turnout at the last elections in 2004 was 37%. If Vote Match can help people identify issues that matter to Londoners, and give them the confidence to use their voice and use their vote then all of London and wider democracy benefit."

Ashok Viswanathan, Assistant Director, Operation Black Vote

"In a time of disengagement and cynicism the web increasingly provides a source of hope and opportunity to those committed to democratic renewal and engagement in the UK. Vote Match is a strikingly intelligent and original contribution to this effort."

Anthony Barnett, OurKingdom.org.uk (part of the openDemocracy network)

Commenting on the launch, Director of Unlock Democracy Peter Facey said:

"This is the first of hopefully several Vote Matches covering the UK elections. In the Netherlands, 'Stemwijzer' was used by 1-in-3 voters in the last Parliamentary elections and is recognised as a trusted source of information that helps to increase voter turnout. We are committed to ensuring Vote Match achieves a similar high reputation in the UK."

You can find out more information about Vote Match, and use the quiz yourself, by going to Vote Match London

ENDS

1. Unlock Democracy, incorporating Charter 88, is the UK's leading campaign for democratic renewal and active engagement in the political process.

2. For more information, a quote or an interview, please contact James Graham on 020 7278 4443 / 07966 237550.