A consultation on whether to move elections to weekends has been launched as part of efforts to boost engagement in the democratic process.
In a bid to reverse falling turnout I believe that changing the day of the when the UK votes is a good thing. We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people’s busy lives, while also recognising the constraints of money and belief.
Local and European elections may be the first to be switched to weekends which is a good thing by reconnect politics with modern Britain. Elections have been held on Thursdays since 1945, although the only legal requirement is that they be held on weekdays. Before the Second World War voting took place on different days and the last general election held on a Saturday was in 1918.
I am absolutely in favour of weekend voting. It might be the very best way to solve the problem of why people don’t vote.
LAURENCE GOFF
