Train fares: those who don’t vote have no right to complain

Train fares: those who don’t vote have no right to complain

Once again, train fares are rising by a reported 11 per cent and people start complaining about it. Well, looking at turnout figures in elections, I say that those who do not take part in politics and do not vote have absolutely no right to complain. If they abstain they show that they support whatever the government of the day decides to do. This is the essence of Democracy.

In recent elections, only 32 per cent of those entitled to vote actually voted in polls that took place outside London and in London in the GLA elections merely 38 per cent bothered to come out and vote. Maybe we should have new legislation establishing that those who don’t take part in elections should be charged 50 per cent more than those who actually bother to vote.

In certain countries, those who do not vote cannot work, cannot study, cannot get pensions or any welfare support, have to pay fines and even go to prison. In Britain, people have it all too easy. They avoid their Democratic responsibilities as citizens and then they have the face to complain when something goes wrong.