Simon Kirby

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has signed House of Commons Motion 953 rejecting the argument that prisoners should have the right to vote.

The Motion reads as follows:
That this House believes that if a crime is serious enough to warrant a term of imprisonment, then the perpetrator must forgo certain civil liberties, including the right to suffrage; and recognises that the right to vote does not aid the rehabilitation of a prisoner and is a privilege that should be exclusively reserved for law-abiding citizens.

The Motion was tabled by Conservative MP, Brian Binley, and Mr Kirby was an early signatory.

Mr Kirby said:
"I hardly ever sign Motions such as this but I have never felt it correct that prisoners should have the right to vote. I believe there is a general acceptance that if someone breaks the law seriously enough to go to prison, then their rights as citizens should be  significantly reduced - and that includes voting.

"The ruling that is leading to this monstrous situation where prisoners may be given the right to vote should never have been made and I cannot think what those who handed down the decision were thinking.

"People feel very strongly about this and I don't blame them. It is time to take a stand. I was pleased therefore to hear that the Government is listening to concerns and this Motion is a good example of raising the matter to bring about a sensible compromise."