“That doesn’t remove your right not to vote, just don’t complain about outcomes you don’t like. A lot of votes have quite narrow margins and it’s often the marginals that decide election results, so I think it does matter.
Antony Collingwood shared similar sentiments, saying: “I’ve always thought voting should be mandatory. Everyone should have to vote. To not vote is an insult to all the people who fought for the right to vote.
“Even if there were a box to vote for no one if you want, you should still have to do it.”
Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission
Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.
Voting is mandatory in some parts of the world. For example, not casting a vote in Australia is punishable with a fine, as Big Issue reader Mick Russell pointed out.
It’s not compulsory to vote in the UK but the trade-off is that voter turnouts can be low, particularly when there is dissatisfaction with politics.
The 2024 general election saw the second lowest voter turnout since universal suffrage in 1928 with only 59.9% of people turning out to vote. The last time the turnout was lower was 59.4% in 2001.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Voters across Britain will soon go to the polls. Local elections in England as well as parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales will take place in May.
The turnout for the local elections in England in 2025 was 34%, according to The Electoral Commission.
The Senedd elections in Wales have seen higher voter turnouts in the last decade. Around 41% of voters cast a vote in 2011, rising to 45% in 2016 and 47% in 2021.
Read more:
Some reader responses to Martin’s comments shed some light on why.
“Me too. When they make their manifestos a legally binding document rather than a “promise”, then I’ll think about it,” said Steven Willett.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Phyll Smith added: “Funny; but the government does exist, and will change your circumstances, so while you might not get exactly what’s on your Christmas wish list, you can vote for a general direction of travel.
Meanwhile, Sam Bliss likened voting to the “adult equivalent of writing letters to Santa”.
Others looked at the wider ramifications of not voting.
Shaun Attmassfear said: “Don’t vote then don’t moan. Not voting is actually a vote towards the party that you wouldn’t want in.”
And Ross Siggers said: “The anti-voters here are just like, ‘I don’t like the system so I’m going to actively make it worse, so I can complain more’. But you’ll call it protesting. Right.”
Do you vote in elections? What do you think about Guy Martin’s decision not to vote? Let us know.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Guy Martin’s Proper Jobs is on Dave at 8pm on Sundays.
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life this winter.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and how we fund our work to end poverty.
You can also support online with a vendor support kit or a magazine subscription. Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
