Influencing MPs


If you look at "Parliamentary Monitoring", which I received gratefully from the Electoral Reform Society, you will see that several MPs commented about increasing voter turnout, but missed the obvious solution of changing the voting system so voting would become worthwhile.

I attach copies of my e-mails to five of them, in which I tried to point out briefly that the voting system should be changed.

I also wrote, although I could not do it by conventional e-mail, to Kevan Jones MP:

"I am sure you are right (8 May) that all-postal elections would increase turnout, but that has to be balanced against greater opportunity for electoral fraud. Also, many people realise now that their votes will have no effect locally or nationally so they see no point in voting by post or otherwise. For example, there is no point my voting Labour in this safe Conservative seat of Chichester. Come to think of it, there would be no point in voting Conservative either, because they win with or without my vote! I think changing the voting system to remedy that would have a greater long-term effect and fewer risks than all-postal elections. "

and Mark Lazarowicz MP:

"I was interested in your question of 8 May about elector registration. Although more registrations should lead to more votes, that would not entirely solve the problem. Many people realise now that their votes will have no effect locally or nationally so they see no point in voting. For example, there is no point my voting Labour in this safe Conservative seat of Chichester. Come to think of it, there would be no point in voting Conservative either, because they win with or without my vote! I think changing the voting system to remedy that would have a greater long-term effect."

Of course it is entirely up to you, but may I suggest you also write to these seven MPs or, at least, to any of your own party if you are a party member or supporter? If you do, I recommend you to read the MPs' own words in "Parliamentary Monitoring" and write in your own words in response to them instead of copying my messages.

[attachments posted as comments below]