Legal Beagle by Graeme Edgeler

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Legal Beagle: Voting disqualifications (updated)

4 Responses

  • Hilary Stace,

    The Holyoake/Marshall Government arrested people and put them in prison just so they couldn't vote in marginal seats. This happened in 1972 in Wellington Central when people could be jailed for protesting against compulsory military training, and the seat was narrowly won by National.

    It took Martyn Finlay to bring some rights and real justice into the system (and of course Kirk got rid of CMT an lowered the voting age). Finlay's reforms were later overturned by another National Government. I see Andrew Little as a potential Finlay so I think Arthur Taylor will win this but maybe by legislation rather than through the court. None of your groups listed will be denied the vote.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Austin,

    Hi Hilary,

    Very interesting! Do you have any recommended readings on that topic?

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Ben Austin,

    I remember it as I was there at the time but I'm not sure whether any of this has been formally written up. There have been pieces written about Martyn Finlay as he was a long time Labour Party social justice activist and made a significant contribution to the Kirk Government's reforms.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Austin,

    I will need to look into this!

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

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