Lamont: Outrage that any prisoner should get the vote

The UK Government has been advised that costly compensation claims will follow if it continues to resist the 2005 European Court of Human Rights ruling that the ban on inmates voting is unlawful.

Labour's decision to incorporate ECHR into the 1998 Scotland Act looks set to have disastrous and far-reaching consequences for Scotland's justice system.

John Lamont MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said:

"Put simply, is an outrage that any prisoner should get the vote. Those who commit crimes against society should forfeit the right to a democratic voice. The freedom to participate in electing law makers should not be given to law breakers.

"But this is another tough decision ducked by Labour in government and left to the Conservatives to mop up. We wish all prisoners could be denied the vote, but the European court ruling has left Britain - and Scotland - with no choice. The UK Government is reviewing how to apply the ruling and which prisoners will get a vote. It is very unlikely they will all get it.

"Last week, with the Cadder ruling, Scotland lost control of its justice system. Make no mistake, Labour's decision to incorporate ECHR into the Scotland Act has been a disaster. It has given us the slopping out fiasco, cost us millions of pounds in prisoner compensation claims and now this.

"We know the SNP wanted to take ECHR further, which would have had even more profound consequences. And everyone should remember that the SNP don't want to send many criminals to jail - under Alex Salmond's plans, most law-breakers will be free to vote anyway. No doubt the party of soft-touch Scotland, the SNP, will be delighted at the prospect of criminals flocking to vote for them."

Back to all posts