Make voting compulsory – with a £10 fine for those that don’t cast ballot, says lefty think-tank
The left-wing think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report calling for voting in national elections to be made compulsory, with a £10 fine imposed on those who fail to cast a ballot. The IPPR argues that Britain faces a "crisis of pride" and growing disillusionment with the political system, and it presents mandatory voting as part of a "radical overhaul" intended to rebuild trust in democratic institutions and bring people together.
Alongside compulsory voting, the report proposes a "new model of democratic citizenship" that would require all 16- and 17-year-olds to complete a "Democratic Citizens Service" on political participation before leaving school. Backed by former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, it also recommends a £100,000 cap on private political donations to "curb oligarchs' sway" and a shift towards a more proportional voting system. The proposals were published on 10 July 2026.
- IPPR wants compulsory voting, with u00a310 fines for non-voters.
- It also proposes citizenship service for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Report backs a u00a3100,000 donation cap and proportional voting.