UK

The “Past Present Future” podcast is hosted by David Runciman, former Professor of Politics at Cambridge University and one of the more erudite and readable writers on politics and political philosophy.

In the episode I link to below, published in early October, Runciman is joined by political historian Dr David Klemperer to talk about compulsory voting. Obviously the episode draws deeply on the Australian experience.

It also makes a couple of points about the impact of compulsory voting on the result of the 2025 Australian election. In particular, its role in increasing turnout amongst younger age groups and more marginalised groups in society.

Given post-election discussion on the Liberal Party’s lack of appeal to younger age groups, it is nice to be reminded by overseas commentators that compulsory voting allows Australian political parties to build winning political platforms around appealing to younger and less advantaged groups in society. It is a point that doesn’t get a mention in Australian 2025 post-election analysis because compulsory voting is a given in the conduct of elections in Australia.

The two David’s compare the Albanese victory with UK elections over the last decade where talk of ‘youthquakes’ shaking results have fizzled out due to low turnout by younger age groups.

This is a direct link to the episode at Apple podcasts, but you can also find it amongst many other episodes at “Past Present Future” on Spotify and at the Past Present Future website.

But I do think there is one point they missed on why compulsory voting has worked in Australia and why it would be harder in countries like the UK.Read More »“Past Present Future” Podcast from the UK on Compulsory Voting