Should prisoners get the vote?

MPs have overwhelmingly voted to keep the ban on prisoners voting, in defiance of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. The government says it has been advised that unless the UK law is changed it could face compensation claims from prisoners costing well over £100m.

Who should be allowed to vote? Should people lose their right to vote when they commit a crime? Have you ever lost your right to vote? Is voting a privilege or a right?

Comments

1..paul tapner wrote: Everyone says voting never changes anything, so does it really matter? Besides I'd imagine lots of people who moan about it never bother to vote themselves.

2.RedandYellowandGreennotBlue wrote: Serious offenders should not be allowed to vote. . If you commit a crime, ALL rights should be forfeited! Maybe the victims of criminals should challenge the European Court by saying their human rights have been breached.

3.Alex wrote: The problem here is sound-bite-thinking. I have seen comments along the lines "If you go to prison, you forfeit all of your rights." No, you do not. You forfeit your right to liberty - but you do not forfeit your right to life; your right not to be tortured; your right to be reasonably protected by the state; and so on. Imprisonment therefore entails the forfeiture of some of the prisoner's rights, but not others.

4.Sane or not wrote: Initially my reaction was 'why should they, they have done wrong'. Thinking again I'd say 'yes they should'. If you are only locking up a tiny proportion of society, it will have little affect on the outcome and we should have nothing to fear. If you are locking up too many, then you have a problem with what you are locking people up for, you have a civil liberties problem, and those locked up should have the vote.

5.Jason_Overthinker wrote: Under no circumstances should any prisoner be aloud to vote and under no circumstances should they recieve any form of compensation. As far as I'm concerned they lost there rights when they commited a crime worthy of incarceration. I would be extremely pleased if we didn't follow the European courts guidance and followed true democratic values by following the will of the people in the UK.

6. Rajiva wrote: Casting a vote is a fundamental human right in a democracy equal to or more than the right's of all MP's to claim their expenses. Obviously the brains of the coalition are uncomfortable and scared - today its the vote for those in jail, tomorrow no votes for those who are retired, than no votes for people who are un employed - where will these stupid government STOP.

7. frank wrote: Why do people think that everyone in prison is a criminal? There have been, and still are, many miscarriages of justice.

8. hubert huzzah wrote: If Prisoners (regardless of offence)are not permitted to vote they are completely excluded from society. So, what motive would they ever have to reform or change when they come out again. Most posters on Have Your Say cannot vote in Russia and so do not have a direct interest in that society and might well have no interest in improving Russian society at all. That then becomes a harsh treatment of those outside prison when former prisoners leave prison, unreformed and carry on much the same as before.

9. Lord Horror wrote: It would be more sensible to implement the death penalty for every single offence - large or small - for which prison is an option. Which would leave the prisons empty and no need to exclude anybody from democracy.

Section 5. Picture

Герой.

UNIT 11

Section 1. Практикум Линн Виссон

Текст 22

Интервью с Михаилом Швыдким, председателем ВГТРК

Interview with Mikhail Shvidkoi, Chairman of VGTRK

( Читается с британским акцептом)

— Чем вы объясняете падение рейтингов «Вестей»!

— Отчасти сезонными причинами, отчасти — истощением ресурсов. Телевидение нельзя делать без денег. Год мы держа­лись,а сейчас это начало сказываться. Хотя небольшой кредит мы получили, в основном, он ушел на погашение долгов, на формирование холдинга и т.д. На программную политику оста­лось не так много денег. К тому же с декабря прошлого года до марта нынешнего, когда у нас был самый сложный период,руко­водство ВГТРК, не скрою, очень серьезно занималось только «Вестями» — и видим результат. Наверное, в преддверии гряду­щих в июле-августе перемен просто ослабла внутренняя само­
дисциплина. Думаю, в течение июля все поправим.

— Как будут изменены «Весты»?

— «Вести» переходят на двухчасовой шаг. Будем выпускать в эфир 12 информационных выпусков в сутки. Каждые два часа будем делать новости,но это не значит, что превратимся в Си-эн-эн. Зрителю гарантируется пять выпусков «Вестей» в сут­ки. Каждый следующий выпуск будет просеивать новости преды­дущего, оставляя главные и добавляя самые свежие. Самое прин­ципиальное,что «Вести» будут выходить в 21.00. За десятилетия
зритель привыкв это время смотреть новости на государственном канале. Вот мы и предоставим ему такую возможность. Конеч­но же, хотим изменить и дизайн программы, и форму выдачи новостей в эфир.

— Программа будет выходить в новом формате?

Мы предлагаем сделать более жесткую подачу новостей. Форматы выпусков — не больше 20—30 минут. Мы можем де­лать вдвое больше сюжетов, чем ОРТ или даже НТВ. У нас боль­
ше корсеть и больше возможностей.

— У вас претензия к руководству «Вестей" ?

— Естественно, и я буду ее излагать. Существует, например, и проблема контроля, и проблемы творческие. Мне кажется, все можно поправить с нынешней командой «Вестей». Ничего осо­бенного не происходит. Это все внутренние процессы, в кото­рых мы будем разбираться. Думаю, к сентябрю все поправим.

— Власти по-прежнему высказывают претензии к информаци­онному вещанию ВГТРК?

— Если бы они были, думаю, меня бы просто снялис поста председателя компании. У нас нормальные отношения и с ад­министрацией президента, и с правительством, и с парламентом. Нормальный рабочий диалог со всеми. Как государственный канал, мы стараемся сохранять необходимую сегодня ровность информационного поля. Не вижу больших проблем.

— Решение руководства компании о снятии с эфира программы
«Совершенно секретно» вызвало подозрение в том, что вам это ре­шение навязали «сверху». Как бы вы могли это прокомментировать?

— Всякий раз, когда мы принимаем какие-то решения, вы­зывающие общественный резонанс, все почему-то начинают говорить, что эти решения принимает не руководство ВГТРК, а кто-то другой. Честно говоря, я удивлен тем шумом,который поднялся вокруг решения по программе «Совершенно секретно». Получается, что руководство каналов не вправе принимать реше­ния. Таким образом каналы хотят превратить в почтовые ящики,куда можно скидывать все что угодно. Я с этим категорически не согласен. Мы не раз высказывали свои претензии к создателям «Совершенно секретно». Это касалось ипрограммы о войне на Балканах, и программы о расследовании убийства Галины Ста­ровойтовой. Это относится и к последней передаче. Мне не очень понравилась реакция Артема Боровика, которую процити­ровал корреспондент РИА «Вести». Он сразу стал говорить о том, что у него есть компромат о коррупции в ВГТРК. Если он чест­ ный журналист и у него есть такой материал, он должен был

опубликовать его вне зависимости от того, идет ли программа на канале РТР или не идет. Конечно, неприятно читать про себя гадости, а тем более несправедливые. Но я предпочел бы их про­честь именно тогда, когда «Совершенно секретно» совершенно безоблачно выходила в эфир. Я с интересом ждупубликаций, что­бы в свою очередь получить возможность подать в суд на «Со­вершенно секретно».

— How do you explain the drop/ fall/ decline in the ratings of the news program " Vesti ?"

— That's partially/In part that's/due to seasonal factors, and in part to a lack of resources/funds. You can't have/do/TV without funds/money. We've held on/managed/kept on going/for a year,and now we're starting to feel that/the effects are making themselves felt.
Although we got some/limited funding/credits, most of/for the most part/that went to pay off/liquidate debts, to form/establish a holding company, etc. For program policy not much was left/remained. In
addition/also,/from last December until March, when we had/were going through/in/our most difficult/worst period/times,the administration/bosses/leadership of VGTRK, frankly, was/were only
serious about "Vesti"/only took "Vesti" seriously, and we can see the result. Probably on the eve of the changes forthcoming/upcoming changes in July and August there was a breakdown/weakening/of
internal organization/management/discipline. I think that in July we'll get squared away /fix things up/set things right/take care of everything.

— How will " Vesti" be changed?

— "Vesti"/is going to a two-hour slot/will become a two-hour program/will run for two hours. We'll be airing/putting on the air/ broadcasting/ 12 information shows during a 24-hour period. Every
two hours we'll/have a news program/broadcast the news/air the news/put the news on the air,but that doesn't mean we're going to turn into/become CNN. The viewer is guaranteed/assured of five installments/broadcasts of "Vesti" in a 24-hour period. Each broadcast will sift through the previous news program, leaving out old/stale/items and adding the latest/breaking news. The most/really important/key/ thing/pointis that "Vesti" will air at 9:00 PM. Over/for the last ten years the viewers/audience/is in the habit of/have/has/gottenused/to watching the news at that time on the state channel. And now we're going to give them that chance/opportunity. Of course, we also want
to change the design of the program, and the style/way/form of putting the news on the air/delivering the news.

— Will the program be aired in a new format?

— We're planning/intending to have a tighter/more concentrated news program. The formats for the broadcasts will run/be/take no more than 20-30 minutes. We can cover twice as many stories/topics as ORT or even NTV. We have a bigger network of correspondents
and more possibilities/greater potential.

— Do you have complaints for/are you going to take up complaints with/Do you have problems to present to/the administration/bosses of " Vesti?"

— Naturally, and I'm going to present them/put them on the table/discuss them; for example, there's the problem of control, and there are creative problems. It seems to me that the present team/the team we now have at "Vesti" can put all that straight/resolve all
that/take care of all that. Nothing special/extraordinary/unusual is taking place/happening/occurring. These are all internal processes,
and we'll be dealing with/analyzing/getting to the bottom of/them. I think that by September we'll have everything in place/settled/taken care of/resolved.

— Do the authorities still have problems with/complaints about the information programs/broadcasting of VGTRK?

— If they did/if there had been problems/in thatcase,/I think I'dsimply/just have been removed/fired/dismissed/let go/be out of a job aschairman of the company. We have a normal relationship with the President's administration, and with the government, and with the parliament. A normal working relationship/dialogue with everyone. As a state channel, we are trying to keep the balance that is needed/required today regarding the dissemination/distribution of information. I don't see any big/major problems.

— The decision of the administration of the company to take the program " Top Secret" off the air arouses suspicions that this decision was imposed on you "from above''/''from the top"/'from upstairs."

— How would you see that/What's your take on that?/What would you have to
say to that?/How would you comment on that?

— Each time we take any decisions that evoke a reaction from the public/a public response, for some reason everyone starts saying that these decisions aren't taken by the administration of VGTRK, but by someone else. Frankly speaking,/To be honest, I'm surprised at/ astonished by/the fuss/hullabaloo/(thatstarted up) about the decision on/regarding (the program) "Top Secret." The same (thing) was/held true/happened for the program on the war in the Balkans, and for the
program on the investigation of the murder of Galina Starovoitova. This/The same (thing) was/holds/true/goes for/applies tothe most recent broadcast. I didn't much like/wasn't very keen on/the reaction of Artem Borovik, who quoted the correspondent of RIA "Vesti." He immediately started/right/off/away/talking about how/saying that/he had compromising material regarding corruption at VGTRK. If he's an honest journalist and he has such material, he should have published it regardless of whether or not the program is on the RTR channel. Of course, it's unpleasant/not pleasant/not fun/to read dirt/filth/muck about yourself, particularly when it's unfair/not true/unfounded. But I'd prefer to read those/such things when "Top Secret" is broadcasting freely/on the air unhampered/happily out on the airwaves/being broadcast/broadcasting free and clear/happily away/ airing with no problems. I'm eagerly awaiting/looking forward tothose publications, so that I'll get my chance to sue/file suit against "Top Secret"/take "Top Secret" to court.

Section 2. Phrasal Verbs

KEEP

1. Keep together if you want to accomplish it. 2. I'm sure he doesn't keep anything back from me. 3. They keep up appearances. 4. To keep off the gnats we had to burn some smoky twigs. 5. He keeps on smoking. 6. Keep out! I'm dressing. 7. Who keeps house for you? 8. Keep away from the water's edge! It's very wet there. 9. Keep your feelings to yourself or else everybody will guess the truth. 10. He kept on reading his book though it grew quite dark in the room. 11. We won't keep you. 12. You'll have to keep at a distance if you want him to speak frankly. 13. The poor girl can't keep up with her class. 14. We were kept in by a downpour that lasted for half an hour. 15. He must keep down his expenses as much as pos­sible. 16. Are you sure she'll be able to keep it up alone? 17. Keep in! You'll catch cold in this terrible weather. 18. I won't keep any­thing from Mother. 19. Old customs are often kept up by old peo­ple.

1. Don't part if you want to accomplish it. 2. I'm sure he tells me everything. 3. They pretend that everything is all right though it isn't in the least. 4. Toward of/ the gnats we had to burn some smoky twigs. 5. He won't drop smoking. 6. Don't come in. I'm dressing. 7. Who manages your household affairs! 8. Don't go near the water's edge! It's very wet there. 9. Restrain your feelings or else everybody will guess the truth. 10. He continued reading his book though it grew quite dark in the room. 11. We won't detain you. 12. You'll have to remain at a distance if you want him to speak frankly. 13. The poor girl is lagging behind her class. 14. We were detained by a downpour that lasted for half an hour. 15. He must make his expenses as low as possible. 16. Are you sure she'll be able to manage it alone? 17. Don't go out. You'll catch cold in this terrible weather. 18. I won't conceal anything from Mother. 19. Old customs are often observed by old people.

Section 3. Typical Drill

Упражнение 1.

Fluency Practice 3 (Cool, No21) (Run –Bird)

You need to study the phrasal verbs and idioms from this month's magazine before attempting these exercises.

phrasal verbs	idioms
Run across Run down Run down Run out of Run into difficulty	Early bird catches a worm / Little bird told Bird in hand is worth two in the bush Kill two birds with one stone Birds of a feather flock together The birds and the bees

A: Tongue Twister

Try repeating this ten times as quickly as you can: "She slept on a slick and slippery sheet."

B: Pronunciation: connected speech with bird idioms

Write down (6 sntns)

C: Sentence transformation (Work)

Listen to these sentences and try to make a question with the word "you".

What/ What/ How +big/What/What +like (5 sntns)

D. Rapid Response (Work)

Now answer these questions as quickly as you can. 5 (sntns)

E: Phrasal Verbs with play

Repeat the sentence but change the used verb with an appropriate phrasal verb with "Run “.

F: Revision Drills ( answer questions as quickly as possible)

Section 4. Have Your Say