A proposal to make voting compulsory in national elections, with a £10 fine for those who do not cast a ballot, has been put forward by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The left-leaning think tank advocates for this measure as a means to rebuild trust in British democracy, which it describes as facing a "crisis of pride" and growing disillusionment with the current political system.
The IPPR's report calls for a "radical overhaul of our democracy" and the introduction of a "new model of democratic citizenship" to foster trust in political institutions and unite the public. This model includes mandatory participation in national elections, with non-voters facing a financial penalty.
In addition to compulsory voting, the report suggests that 16- and 17-year-olds participate in a "Democratic Citizens Service" before leaving school, aimed at educating them about political participation and democratic decision-making. The think tank also supports a £100,000 cap on private political donations to reduce the influence of wealthy donors and advocates for a more proportional voting system.
These proposals come as incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed his intention to persuade the Labour party to adopt a more proportional voting system, which would increase the influence of smaller parties in Parliament.
Dr. Nick Garland, the lead author of the report, stated that mainstream politicians have allowed the "radical right" to dominate discussions about citizenship, neglecting the shared rights and duties of all citizens. He urged progressives to be more assertive in advocating for changes to the democratic process and promoting a vision for collective living. The think tank also backs a pilot program that would place nurseries near adult communities to encourage intergenerational understanding.