A new report on Postal Voting and Electoral Fraud has been published by Isobel White of the Parliament and Constitution Centre. The report can be donloaded from the House of Commons library here
“There have been many allegations of electoral abuse since the introduction of postal voting on demand in 2001… The different election offences are outlined and the note explains the means of challenging an election result by election petition. A chronology of recent developments concerning postal voting including allegations of postal vote fraud at the local elections on 4 May 2006 is also given.”
“10 April 2005, The Sunday Times reported that there were fears that there would be voterigging in the constituency of Blackburn. Craig Murray, an Independent candidate, said he had been approached by several people in the Asian community ‘who are under huge pressure from Labour activists to apply for a postal vote’and then hand over their postal vote to the Labour party.’
The full report makes several serious allegations as to widespread fraudulent practices. The question is where does this lead us (apart from the bleeding obvious, of course)? It's unlikely that any of the senior politicians – who should have made it their business to scrutinise and oversee those responsible – will feel any effects whatsoever.
At best it's possible that a few low-grade henchmen (henchpersons?) will appear in front of the bench for a ritual slap, but that will be it.
The pity is that there has been almost no public outcry at such disgusting infringements of our democratic process. It's almost as if we have become inured to these transgressions. The apathy is palpable. It emanates from the complete exhaustion of the electorate's moral sensibilities. It's OK for our political leaders to carry on like that, so – after nine years of New Labour outrage – it's OK for the rest of us.
And yet we have the constant bleating of politicians, bemoaning the fact that people cannot be bothered to vote. Well, what the hell is there to vote for, and what is the point of voting, anyway? – Apart from occasionally jabbing at the politicos with a pointed stick, that is.
Bring out the tumbrils……
Chuck wrote: "And yet we have the constant bleating of politicians, bemoaning the fact that people cannot be bothered to vote. Well, what the hell is there to vote for, and what is the point of voting, anyway?"
Parties don't win elections – they lose them!
If you're in government, the last thing you want is an electorate that stays at home.
Our job is to keep Blair and his criminal gang in power. He's not going to say that, of course. He's going to tell us that voting is important for a healthy democracy and the good of the nation – bullshit like that.