Majority support adding a 'None of the Above' option to ballot papers
56% support the idea for general elections
The majority of the British public support a ‘None of the Above’ option on ballot papers, according to polling seen exclusively by LBC.
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56 per cent support the idea for general elections, according to a poll of 3,327 people carried out by Convergent Opinion, commissioned by the Campaign for Compulsory Voting.
The research also finds that adding a ‘None of the Above’ option on ballot papers raises the support for making voting compulsory.
The campaign group claims that, if he becomes Prime Minister, Andy Burnham must add a None of the Above option to ballot papers if he is “serious” about changing politics.
Read more: Rayner praises Burnham's plans for No 10 North as she slams Keir Starmer
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock wrote exclusively for LBC, saying that the change papers can fix our ‘broken’ democracy.
Last month, Labour MP Lauren Edward asked if the government was considering introducing a None of the Above option in a bid to boost election turnout.
In reply, Secretary of State Steve Reed told the Commons: “The Government are very interested indeed in increasing participation in elections… Of course, we want to look at all proposals for getting people voting, because that is central to the efficiency and effectiveness of our democracy.”
Other MPs and peers have now publicly backed the proposal, with Labour MP Antonia Bance saying “Every election we say voter turnout is too low and we can’t go on like this.
"Then politicians do nothing and nothing changes. Adding a None of the Above option to ballot papers is a popular and easy change that would encourage even the apathetic and disillusioned to turn out at election time.”
Labour MP Chris Curtis said a “None of the Above” option “would mean we have to make a positive case for why we deserve support.
“This is not a substitute for a wider conversation about how we have a more positive electoral system, but it would be a useful first step, giving voters a clearer way to express dissatisfaction and making politicians work harder for their constituents’ trust.”
Charles White, from the Campaign for Compulsory Voting, who commissioned the polling, said: “This is a simple and free change that drives up voter engagement and the Government can bring it in with relative ease.
"If Andy Burnham is serious about devolving power he must make efforts to drive up election turnout. Adding a None of the Above option is a simple way to achieve that."
ThinkLabour called last month for the introduction of a None of the Above option and shared polling which would suggest Reform losing its lead, the Green Party suffering, and Labour and Tories gaining several polling points.