Prisoners Want Votes On Scottish Referendum What Do Other Abs Think I Think No

[gordiescotland1]

I am against the idea that prisoners can take this issue to court and claim it is a breach of their human rights by not being allowed to vote and the independence referendum. If they chose to commit crime then they have to accept the consequences that they do not have the same privileges as law abiding citizens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28442439
What do others think

[sandyRoe]

Has the ECHR not already ruled that prisoners can vote in other elections? If so, why not in the referendum.
The fact that a man's in prison doesn't make him any less a patriot.

[Slapshot]

No rights forfeited.... but don't give Salmond any more bad ideas

[factor-fiction]

I am not so sure on this one. If someone is in prison for say 2 years why should they have no say in something that could affect the rest of their lives?

[agchristie]

As Lady Paton says in her ruling there is no fundamental right to voting.I would expect the UK Supreme Court to uphold the judgment.

Maybe unfortunate though for those who are appealing their sentence currently and who subsequently win....

[Old_Geezer]

I can understand an argument that says prisoners should have a say in who makes decisions on their behalf, especially as they have a close interest in the penal system and ensuring it is run fairly; but I don't see a corresponding argument in a vote as to whether a part of the UK secedes or not. I'd have thought the rest of the UK had a better claim to a vote.

Anyway, do they really believe their vote is significant ? Why the expense/trouble for something that makes no difference ?

[anotheoldgit]

There should be a definite line joined between Human Rights and Civil Rights, If a person has chosen to disobey the laws of the country, and is imprisoned for doing so, that person should forfeit their Civil Rights.

[ToraToraTora]

the purpose of prison is to remove rights available to the law abiding citizen. Voting is one of those. For gawd sake they are like butlins as it is, they have a more comfortable existance that many on the outside, whats the point if they forfit nothing?

[Peter Pedant]

No AOG there cant be - Human rights are all about civil rights

unless you define human rights in an AOG way and civil rights in a completely different way and then say ha ! look they are completely different....

why should people in prison not vote ? why not anyone who has been convicted ? OK or any who has been convicted or is an OAP ?


and you know what ? The Human Rights Act does YOU good
You know why the minister hasnt phoned you up and said Good news AOG as a loyal supporter of insanity: I am gonna legislate your pension to be half what it was ?

yeah -he can't because ....

[factor-fiction]

TTT- should they therefore also forfeit rights to things like medical treatment, food, reasonable living temperatures, TV, visitors...

[Pete65]

Folk who bad mouth Tesco staff, and elderly parents, should not be allowed to vote.

[gordiescotland1]

well said tora

[New Judge]

"and you know what ? The Human Rights Act does YOU good "

It's never done me any good whatsoever, Peter. It does little or nothing for UK citizens resident in the UKwho are prepared to obey the law. Nothing it does provides protection for those people that is not provided for in domestic law. All it does is produces legal and compensation bills for people not in that category. The HRA does not protect pension, benefit or salary levels as you suggest.

[gordiescotland1]

pete65 an irrelevant answer

[ToraToraTora]

Well TV certainly FF! what happenned to breaking up rocks with a heavy hammer?