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Democracy is about voting. We may be tempted to think that the means by which we vote is a technical matter of no importance. What does it matter whether we vote in person, vote by post or vote by internet?
But it DOES matter. Our experience of postal voting in the UK is bad enough. E-voting is practised in the USA and the results are highly questionable. It might seem tough on coach potatoes and the elderly and infirm, but we must insist on the principle that to vote, you have to turn up to do so.
Democracy existed in the ancient world but it was always "direct democracy", that is to say, you voted on ISSUES and you had to turn up at the forum to vote. If you couldn't make it, too bad, you couldn't vote.
In the Modern world direct democracy (except for referendums) has disappeared in favour of "representative democracy". You vote for a "representative" who then votes on the issues in Parliament as he or she sees fit.
But, again, they have to turn up in Parliament to vote. Otherwise, too bad, they don't vote.
Voting is not about just ticking boxes on paper or on screen. It is about TURNING UP, you, yourself, physically in body, in person.
Overcoming physical distance through postal or cyber communication is incompatible with democracy. If you allow these things for the electorate, the next step will be to allow it for MPs. The rule must be TURN UP OR SHUT UP.
