This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31137204
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
People should be made to vote, says Welsh MP | People should be made to vote, says Welsh MP |
(about 3 hours later) | |
People should be forced to vote because more than 20 million do not take part in elections, a Welsh MP has said. | |
Labour Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane is a member of a Commons committee whose members were split on the question of forcing people to vote. | |
A report published on Thursday calls for a consultation on the issue after May's general election. | |
The UK government said it had no plans to introduce compulsory voting. | The UK government said it had no plans to introduce compulsory voting. |
The report, by the Commons' Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, was published to coincide with national voter registration day. | |
Mr Ruane told BBC Sunday Politics Wales the matter "warrants looking at - it's a big step, it's a bold step". | Mr Ruane told BBC Sunday Politics Wales the matter "warrants looking at - it's a big step, it's a bold step". |
"Some may say it's a step too far but I believe having 14 million people off the register, having 22 million people not voting, is a step too far backwards," he said. | "Some may say it's a step too far but I believe having 14 million people off the register, having 22 million people not voting, is a step too far backwards," he said. |
Encouraged | Encouraged |
Meanwhile, Labour claims more than 82,000 people have fallen off the electoral roll in Wales this year, because of a new system requiring people to register individually rather than one member of a household completing a form. | Meanwhile, Labour claims more than 82,000 people have fallen off the electoral roll in Wales this year, because of a new system requiring people to register individually rather than one member of a household completing a form. |
The party's survey of local councils found the number of voters registered in Cardiff was down 23,538 on 2014. | The party's survey of local councils found the number of voters registered in Cardiff was down 23,538 on 2014. |
The UK government said 90% of people have been automatically transferred to the new system and everyone else was being contacted directly and encouraged to register online. | The UK government said 90% of people have been automatically transferred to the new system and everyone else was being contacted directly and encouraged to register online. |
Sunday Politics Wales can be seen on BBC One Wales at 11:00 GMT on Sunday, 8 February. | Sunday Politics Wales can be seen on BBC One Wales at 11:00 GMT on Sunday, 8 February. |