Worthing MP fights to give prisoners the vote (From The Argus)

Worthing MP fights to give prisoners the vote

8:33am Friday 11th February 2011 in News

Former Conservative minister Sir Peter Bottomley attempted to derail plans that would stop prisoners getting the vote arguing some inmates should be allowed to have their say at the ballot box.

A cross-party group of high profile MPs wants to stop Europe forcing Parliament into giving all convicts serving terms of up to four years electoral rights.

But Sir Peter, MP for West Worthing, launched a bid block their proposals by tabling an amendment in the Commons that called for an end to the blanket ban on prison voting.

The ex-employment minister believes that it is vital criminals are part of society if there is any chance of rehabilitation.

He said: "I believe that the key point is whether we can actually say to people who are convicted: "We want to take away your liberty, but we want you to be a member of society".

"That is the essential issue. That is why we try to teach people in prison to read, to work and to be interested in things around them, and why we want them to have some sympathy and empathy for the feelings of others, whether victims or otherwise."

The law preventing prisoners from voting was introduced 140 years ago but murderer John Hirst, who was jailed for 15 years in 1980 for killing his landlady with the blunt side of an axe, argued successfully in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that he should be allowed to vote.

Prime Minister David Cameron told how the thought of allowing prisoners to vote made him feel "physically sick".

But fears that no-win, no-fee lawyers will soon be "running round prisons" signing up inmates in their droves means the government will put proposals on the ruling before the Commons by summer Last night's vote was a cross-party backbench bid to force a vote on the issue.

The result is not binding, but will put on ministers to follow suit.