MPs propose national holiday for general elections

[Pete]

The committee chair, Labour MP Graham Allen, said: “Our democracy is facing a crisis if we do not take urgent action to make elections more accessible to the public and convince them that it is worth voting.

“Turnout for the last general election was only 65% – almost 16 million voters chose not to participate – and millions of people are not even registered to vote. This is not an acceptable state of affairs for a modern democracy.

I think this is a good idea. If it was a paid holiday for voting (if someone doesn't vote, they lose the day's pay) if might make folks think a bit more about our political leaders - and reassess their position as a voter.

[therealjr]

Elections are now fixed terms for May elections. Which would mean 3 bank holidays in the same month and 4 in the space of 5 weeks if Easter is late. Add to that the fact that fewer and fewer people are actually qualifying for bank holidays off these days and I think he's in cloud cuckoo land.

[ironsky2]

I think the real problem here is people have become really fed up with the mainstream parties and lost faith in politics in general hence why so many people don't vote anymore. It will make no difference if you made a general election a bank holiday if people have all but given up on our MPs the real question here is what can be done to get people back interested in our political system. A good start would be start listening to people !

[Slacker]

People ought to be able to find time within the 15 hours, nobody works that long (though if UKIP ever get in they would probably end workers' rights)

[therealjr]

It's terrible you know that UKIP can make sweeping statements without any evidence to back it up that play on people's fears when considering who to vote for. In fact you'd fit right in Slacker!!!!

[Old Cruser]

I think the real problem here is people have become really fed up with the mainstream parties and lost faith in politics in general hence why so many people don't vote anymore. It will make no difference if you made a general election a bank holiday if people have all but given up on our MPs the real question here is what can be done to get people back interested in our political system. A good start would be start listening to people !

I would agree with you there ironsky

[Pete]

Not only do they not listen, some of them listen, then ignore.

I have asked on more than one occasion if the Labour party agreed with the Tories fracking plans. No Labour supporter ever replied!

It's the Greens for me.

[therealjr]

Said it before times many. They don't listen because they don't have to. They know that a) 50% of all parliamentary seats haven't changed hands since 1970 and b) the average time that one or the other of the main parties has been out of power is around 6 years.

[Slacker]

It's terrible you know that UKIP can make sweeping statements without any evidence to back it up that play on people's fears when considering who to vote for. In fact you'd fit right in Slacker!!!!

Much of our employment law stems from EU legislation

[Pete]

<cough>Fracking</cough>

[therealjr]

Much of our employment law stems from EU legislation

And??? Or is there no defence if your sweeping statements?

[Slacker]

Much of our employment law came from the EU, no wonder bosses wanting to exploit workers love UKIP Minimum paid annual leave (now 28 days a year including bank holidays)

• Additional rights for agency and temporary workers and for part-time workers

• Current pregnancy and maternity leave rights

• Parental leave

• Working time (which includes a maximum of a 48-hour week unless you agree otherwise, and minimum rest breaks each day)

• Equal pay

• Anti-discrimination rules on race, sex, disability, age and sexual orientation

• Data protection rights

.........

Though a public holiday would be beneficial for people such as teachers who want to stand as council candidates (or help campaign)

[therealjr]

• Anti-discrimination rules on race, sex, disability, age and sexual orientation

Ah I see because UKIP is such a racist, sexist, homophobic party. Correct?

[Slacker]

Just a summary of what's come from the EU

[therealjr]

But do you agree the assessment of UKIP?