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Ukip candidate: 'Take away the right to vote to improve election turnout' | Ukip candidate: 'Take away the right to vote to improve election turnout' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Politicians have long been debating how to increase the turnout in elections but a Ukip candidate thinks he has the solution – take away the vote. | Politicians have long been debating how to increase the turnout in elections but a Ukip candidate thinks he has the solution – take away the vote. |
Magnus Nielsen, who is running for a council seat in north London, spoke about his unconventional ideas for reform at an election hustings in West Hampstead on Monday. | Magnus Nielsen, who is running for a council seat in north London, spoke about his unconventional ideas for reform at an election hustings in West Hampstead on Monday. |
After saying many of his party’s supporters were disillusioned with the voting system because “so much power has been taken away from ordinary people”, he proposed doing just that. | After saying many of his party’s supporters were disillusioned with the voting system because “so much power has been taken away from ordinary people”, he proposed doing just that. |
A recording taken by Richard Osley, deputy editor of the Camden New Journal, captured his full speech. | A recording taken by Richard Osley, deputy editor of the Camden New Journal, captured his full speech. |
Mr Nielsen, 64, said: “I have reflected on this over a period of time and I have drawn, I wouldn’t say conclusions, but ideas about this situation. | Mr Nielsen, 64, said: “I have reflected on this over a period of time and I have drawn, I wouldn’t say conclusions, but ideas about this situation. |
“I wanted to emphasise they are my ideas, not the ideas of Nigel Farage, or the party or anyone else standing for Ukip. | “I wanted to emphasise they are my ideas, not the ideas of Nigel Farage, or the party or anyone else standing for Ukip. |
“I sometimes think the people who fought for the vote in 1832 and 1888 and so forth, trying to extend the franchise were probably doing the wrong thing. | “I sometimes think the people who fought for the vote in 1832 and 1888 and so forth, trying to extend the franchise were probably doing the wrong thing. |
“Generally speaking when you start taking things away, or threatening to take things away, people start clamouring and say they really want it.” | “Generally speaking when you start taking things away, or threatening to take things away, people start clamouring and say they really want it.” |
He suggested that one group to lose the right could be people who have served time in prison, where they are not allowed to vote, and been released. | |
“I think maybe we should start reducing the franchise,” Mr Nielsen said. Protest votes: Ukip reaps the benefits of voter dissatisfaction with the main parties | |
“I think you will make the vote more interesting if you show that people could actually lose their vote if people start committing crimes.” | “I think you will make the vote more interesting if you show that people could actually lose their vote if people start committing crimes.” |
His comments caused uproar at the hustings as he emphasised the suggestions were not made on behalf of Ukip and said he “had not reached a conclusion” on the issue. | His comments caused uproar at the hustings as he emphasised the suggestions were not made on behalf of Ukip and said he “had not reached a conclusion” on the issue. |
The 1832 Reform Act aimed to remove “rotten boroughs” and extended voting beyond the aristocracy. | The 1832 Reform Act aimed to remove “rotten boroughs” and extended voting beyond the aristocracy. |
The law was the first to specifically exclude women, who were not allowed the vote until 1918, by defining voters as men. | The law was the first to specifically exclude women, who were not allowed the vote until 1918, by defining voters as men. |
Restrictions on age, wealth, property ownership and gender continued until universal suffrage was achieved in 1928. | Restrictions on age, wealth, property ownership and gender continued until universal suffrage was achieved in 1928. |
Mr Nielsen, who is the chairman of Ukip’s Camden branch, made headlines earlier this year when he compared Islam to organised crime. | Mr Nielsen, who is the chairman of Ukip’s Camden branch, made headlines earlier this year when he compared Islam to organised crime. |
He told the Ham and High newspaper the Prophet Mohamed was “was a gang leader of criminals”. | He told the Ham and High newspaper the Prophet Mohamed was “was a gang leader of criminals”. |
The Independent has contacted Mr Nielsen for a comment. | The Independent has contacted Mr Nielsen for a comment. |
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