Make voting compulsory - with a £10 fine for those that don't cast ballot, says lefty think-tank

By SOPHIE CHURCH - POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 00:01, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 00:12, 10 July 2026 Voting should be made compulsory to rebuild trust in British democracy, a left wing think tank has ordered. Casting a vote in national elections should be made mandatory for Brits with £10 fines dished out for those who abstain, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has said. In a report published today, the IPPR pinpoints a 'crisis of pride in the UK and growing disillusion with the current political system' and advocates 'a radical overhaul of our democracy' as a remedy. It also calls for a 'new model of democratic citizenship' which 'will rebuild trust in the UK's political institutions and bring people together'. But the 'new model' involves forcing every Brit to vote – and lumping them with a £10 fine if they swerve the ballot box. It also calls to make all 16- and 17-year-olds participate in a 'Democratic Citizens Service' before leaving school to lecture teenagers in political participation and democratic decision-making. And the report, backed by former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, favours a £100,000 cap on private political donations 'to curb oligarchs' sway' and pushes for a more proportional voting system. Casting a vote in national elections should be made mandatory for Brits with £10 fines dished out for those who abstain, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has said. Above, voting at the 2024 general election A left wing think tank calls for a 'new model of democratic citizenship' which 'will rebuild trust in the UK's political institutions and bring people together'. Above, Count Binface, who is contesting the by-election triggered by Nigel Farage in Clacton next month Andy Burnham favours making Britain's voting system more proportional  This comes as incoming PM Andy Burnham said last week he would 'seek to persuade' Labour on making voting more proportional, which would give smaller parties more sway in Westminster. The think tank also backs a pilot scheme placing nurseries near adult communities to build understanding between different generations. Dr Nick Garland, the report's lead author, said that mainstream politicians have 'ceded too much ground to the radical right, which wants only to talk about who can be a citizen, and not the rights and duties we all share in as citizens'. He added: 'Progressives must be much bolder about changing how our democracy works, and making a big argument about the way we can live together.' Should the government have the power to punish people for choosing not to vote?