Why should anybody bother to vote?

Do you vote at Local elections?
Do you vote at National elections?
Do you vote at European elections?

We want to know

• Why is voting important to you?
• what would make it easier for you to vote?
• If you don't vote, what would make you vote in the future?

You can add your comments, ideas or reasons by clicking on the comments section below or by email to takepart@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

You can also take part in the Local Democracy Week Challenge on Monday 14th October from 2:30-4:30 - details here

Did you miss Local Democracy Week this year?

There has been a lot going on in Portsmouth this week as part of European Local Democracy Week.  If you've missed any of it, take a look at our brief summary and catch up on presentations on the UK and European parliaments; listen to the radio debate from HMP Kingston and see what young people have been up to in the Council Chamber.

School students with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth

MEPs Catherine Bearder & Keith Taylor visit Portsmouth

Young People Kick Off Local Democracy Week Early

Yesterday afternoon young people from Portsmouth Youth Parliament and COPS (Council of Portsmouth Students) met in the Council Chamber to debate 'Why should I stay in Portsmouth?'. 

The Lord Mayor chaired the debate with Full Council rules and two parties were formed, RANT and RAVE.  
 

Great points were made by both sides and the articulate nature of those involved was a credit to young people in our great city.  A reason to stay!


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Click on 'Local Democracy Week 2012' for more information on the free events and activities available.

Local Democracy Week Unveiled

Do you know how to make your voice heard at a local, national and european level? 

During this year's Local Democracy Week there will be plenty of opportunities to gain a better understanding of democracy in action.

The week includes a debate from Kingston Prison, a chance to quiz your local MPs and MEPs, as well as a human right's lecture, university debate on baby boomers and some interactive online games.  Click here to find out more and book onto the free events.

What do you think of Parliament?

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"Should Prisoners have the right to vote?"- University Public Debate

Last week Portsmouth City Council hosted a debate with the University to explore the rights of prisoners and to address the thorny issue of whether or not they should have the right to vote. An initial vote amongst the assembled audience suggested that people were very much in favour of giving this right. However, by the end of this session- held as part of European Local Democracy Week 2011- the audience view had changed, showing a majority against.

What turned them?

Well some passionate and persuasive arguements from our speakers from the Law School at the University, along with some capable chairing and focused minds. Putting across the case "For", Ursula Ward insisted that "voting is a right and not a privilege", something that helps to promote greater awareness amongst prisoners of politics & democracy, as well as generate victim empathy and promote wider responsibility. "People are sent to prison to loose their liberty and not their identity".

David Carpenter countered this with the argument that voting is "a moral right, not just a legal right" and "an entitlement not a privilege, a duty rather than a right"- "once you are out of the club you can't expect to vote on the management committee!" As the debate continued we were asked to consider that a blanket ban on voting for prisoners shows a lack of understanding of the very purpose of prison and that law makers should not break the law to uphold a principle. The debate was held to explore elements of this year's theme "Human Rights at a Local Level".

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Local Democracy Question Time - Radio Debate October 2010

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BIG unequal?

Our man on the scene said...

"Points for and against the Big Society initiative were keenly argued by academic staff from the University of Portsmouth in a public debate held on Monday. (October 15)

The Oxford Union-style debate was on the motion: “This house believes that the Big Society initiative will lead to a more unequal society.”

Professor Dan Finn and David Carpenter spoke for the motion, while Dr Paul McVeigh and Dr Nancy North spoke against it.

Before the start of the debate 55 of those attending indicated they were for the motion and 25 indicated they were against it.

Following the debate, and comments from the floor, a concluding vote showed that 65 were for the motion and 32 against.

The debate, which was held at a lecture theatre in the university’s St Michael’s Building, attracted a large audience and is one of a number of events organised for Portsmouth Local Democracy Week 2010."

So what did you think?

Democracy??? What's that?

This week is Local Democracy Week 2010 and we have planned a range of activities and events to get you thinking about politics and government- more importantly how you can influence it!!

The sharp eyed amongst you will have already noticed our ten objects- drawn from the city museum archive. They are a quirky collection so get your thinking caps on. We have just posted the details on the first two. We wanted to pick things that you could go and see in person and also that drew parallels with today's politics. As we press on at the council with canvassing for the electoral register, the poll book is a handy reminder of how the franchise has changed, whilst "The Battle of Southsea" raises a number of questions about the use of public space, the right to protest, let alone how to respond!