Let's all move to Brazil!

There is an interesting article in this week’s edition of the Economist lamenting the lack of economic liberalism in Brazil – one of the most socially liberal nations in the world.

One of the reasons the article cites for the lack of free-market liberalism is the fact that voting in elections is compulsory. This leads to larger numbers of poor voters – who pay little tax but benefit from government welfare spending – and consequently pushes the parties in the direction of a bigger state.

“Damned inconvenient!” I hear you cry. Perhaps. But it is something worth bearing in mind in the run-up to the general election in this country.

Turnout plummeted to the appalling level of around 59% in the 2001 election, recovering only slightly to around 61% in the 2005 election. Many predict that the prospect of a change in government will see voting levels move back up to historic levels of around 70%. But this hasn’t prevented widespread handwringing over a crisis of democratic disengagement.

Unsurprisingly, turnout decreases as you move down the social spectrum. In the 2005 general election, turnout amongst the AB classes was 71% compared to 54% for the DE classes. There is an even more pronounced effect when you compare homeowners and social renters.

Turnout falls lower still, of course, in local elections. If you want to a face turn pale, ask one of the handful of Labour borough leaders their thoughts on a March general election. Labour figures in local government are desperate for the election to coincide with the local elections on 6 May, knowing full well that it is the best chance they have of getting their supporters to the polling station.

If the election does get brought forward to a windy March day, Labour councillors may well find their thoughts drifting to the many merits of a trip to Brazil.