Sunday, 9 November 2008

EU says prisoners have to be allowed to vote

Convicted criminals in prison have been banned from voting since 1870 as part of their punishment. Our laws are a reflection (with some notable exceptions of late) of the values of our society - what we, as a people, consider to be right and wrong. It is therefore sensible to deprive someone who breaks a law that is serious enough to carry a custodial sentence of the right to vote.

Not according to the EU, though. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that it is illegal to deprive prisoners of their right to vote, prompting the British government's Joint Committee on Human Rights to warn MPs that the next general election will be illegal under EU law if prisoners aren't allowed to vote.

Can we leave yet?

6 comments:

David Boothroyd said...

The European Court of Human Rights has nothing whatsoever to do with the European Union. You ought to know that before commenting about it.

Ted said...

So......The Prison in Love Lane Wakefield holds about a thousand prisoners.

The labour majority in Wakefield North where the prison stands is 37 votes. Labour have a majority on the council of 1

Effectively a bunch of killers/thieves/junkies and organised criminals can in theory alter the political balance of the council.

They pay no taxes and don't pay rates

Absolutely outrageous and just one more reason to wave two fingers at the EU if we ever get the opportunity.

If I were in government I would refuse to do it

wonkotsane said...

European Commission, European Union - it's all part and parcel of the same thing. You're splitting hairs to the degree of separating the British Executive and British government - technically different but in effect a single entity.

Unknown said...

It's really not 'splitting hairs'. The comparison between the British Executive and British Government would only be apt if one covered twice as much territory as the other, for a start.

A better comparison would be between the UK Government as the EU, and the Commonwealth as the Council of Europe. You can cease being under British rule without leaving the Commonwealth.

Anonymous said...

@David.

Don't be an idiot. The human rights legislation is part and parcel of the attempt to create a common judicial system. As you well know.

Anonymous said...

Now we know how far the EU is prepeared to go,if it cant get the public to support it it will bribe the prisoners of all member states to vote for it so it can carry on as normal!.

The EU is nothing but corrupt and evil.