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Votes mean Prizes

Mark Devenport | 15:16 UK time, Thursday, 10 July 2008

Sammy Wilson is unimpressed by what he describes as the latest "ridiculous idea" from the Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to encourage higher voter turnout. Ms Blears told MPs yesterday that voters in local council elections would have their names entered into a prize draw.

Far from seeking to adopt this plan for the forthcoming Fermanagh by-election, our Environment Minister says the proposal is "nothing but a load of nonsense. Elections should not be turned into a game show, with prizes for the lucky winners of a draw. This cheapens the whole democratic process and is more than a little tacky. Men and women fought and died to secure our democracy and our right to vote and choose our Government. This should be incentive enough for people to go to the polls and vote. To award prizes for voting is a disservice to them and their sacrifice."

Whilst he is at it maybe the East Antrim MP should also have a word with our Chief Electoral Officer Douglas Bain who already operates a in order to encourage people here to register to vote.

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