Letters | 7 May 2015

Bees vs Belgians

Sir: To answer Rory Sutherland and Glen Weyl’s question: yes, everyone should vote and no, just because someone is more interested in politics, his opinion should not count more heavily (‘Plan Bee’, 2 May). Belgium has had compulsory voting for over a century. The troubles that follow every general election may seem to make it a strange example to follow, but those troubles are a consequence of the fragmented political landscape and not of the polling system. Compulsory voting motivates people to stay informed and care about what is happening to their country. It is, however, only compulsory to show up at the polling station, not to cast a valid vote, so the happily apathetic can draw a chicken or write a poem on their ballot paper if they’d rather. Then at least they will have made a conscious choice not to cast a vote.

The election results affect us all, so everyone should be forced to form an opinion on it. As for those who care a great deal and feel their opinion matters more: all they have to do is convince others to care too, and vote the same way they do. As with bees, extra enthusiasm and good dance moves will be rewarded.

When it comes to postal voting, though, I absolutely agree with the authors that casting a vote from home entails the risk of turning voting into a social and peer-pressure-influenced activity. If polling day was on a Sunday rather than on a weekday, perhaps more people would take the trouble to go to the polling station in person?
Clara Waelkens
Belgium

Fossil arguments

Sir: Nigel Lawson reminds us of the economic case for burning fossil fuels and potential environmental impacts (Diary, 2 May). I am from north Derbyshire and both my paternal great grandfathers were killed in industrial accidents.