ShareThis

.

.

Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast

This web site will no longer be updated save to correct errors.


5 February 2007

'No Votes For Prisoners' Urges Local MSP

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has urged the UK Government to hold to its policy of denying convicted prisoners the vote. Mr Stevenson is the SNP’s spokesperson on prisons and is also Shadow Deputy Justice Minister in the Scottish Parliament.

The MSP was speaking following last week’s speculation in the media regarding extending the right to vote to prisoners and revealed that he had responded to a consultation by the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 18 January, arguing that the present position was the correct one and that it enjoyed overwhelming public support.

The UK Government is currently consulting on the issue following a ruling in the European Court.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“First and foremost, I am opposed to any suggestion that convicted detained prisoners should be given the right to vote, far less any suggestion that they be compensated for not being allowed to vote. As far as I am aware, the Liberal Democrats are the only mainstream political party advocating that prisoners should have the right to vote.

“I suspect it would be a very hard ‘sell’ indeed for the Government to convince the public that law breakers should have a say in the election of the law makers.

“If we start from the premise that the removal of liberty is only considered for those who have breached the basic laws of our society then there can be no question of such individuals continuing to enjoy the most basic right in our democracy, the right to the franchise.

“I have already responded to the UK Government’s consultation on this issue and made clear my opposition to any move to give prisoners the vote. The whole idea is ridiculous and preposterous.”

Stewart Stevenson
does not gather, use or
retain any cookie data.

However Google who publish for us, may do.
fiosZS is a name registered in Scotland for Stewart Stevenson
www.blogger.com www.ourblogtemplates.com


  © Blogger templates The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP