Latest press release in from Andrew Turner’s office – Ed.
Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, this week voiced concerns about the Government’s proposals to allow prisoners to vote.
The Government’s move was prompted by a five-year-old European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling with the threat of further legal action by John Hirst, convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, who obtained the original ruling in 2004.
Under proposals published last week in a Ministry of Justice consultation paper, the Government has set out a series of options which could award prisoners serving sentences of up to 4 years the right to vote in local and general elections. Mr Turner, a member of the influential Justice Select Committee does not agree with the move. He believes that allowing MPs to debate the issues in Parliament would give the opportunity to retain the existing system under which all serving prisoners are not allowed to vote.
Mr Turner said:
“I do not believe that those who have committed crimes serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence should be allowed to vote. If you commit a crime you lose some of your rights whilst you are in prison – that should include the right to vote. Rights should come with responsibilities – including not breaking the law.
“The ECHR points out in its ruling that prisoners’ voting rights have not been properly looked into since the Forfeiture Act in 1870. The Government signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights but says that it does not agree with this ruling, which is a direct consequence of that decision. These are weasel words – the Government should call the bluff of the ECHR and initiate a parliamentary debate with the option of keeping our current system. The Liberal Democrats support prisoners being allowed to vote but I am convinced that the majority of Labour and Conservative MPs would oppose these ideas.”
Mr Turner added
“John Hirst is reported as saying ‘Killing my landlady was an abuse of power. By the same token, the state is abusing power in relation to the prisoners votes case’. The very suggestion that killing an innocent 69 year old widow with an axe is somehow equivalent to withholding the right for prisoners to vote is an indication of how warped the ‘Human Rights’ movement has become. The Human Rights Act should be removed from British law and replaced by our own Bill of Rights and Responsibilities as soon as possible.”
The Government’s consultation remains open until 25th September. Find out more.
