Anger over 'offensive' voting law

An Armagh man has successfully challenged a law that prevented some people with learning disabilities from voting. The 17th Century law, which was still in use until recently, contained offensive and degrading language.

It said "idiots" could not vote and "lunatics" could only vote in certain circumstances. Trevor Rhodie, who has learning difficulties, said he was very offended by the terminology.

"I took action because I didn't like the phrases they were using. So I decided to write to try to get it changed. I met with MLAs and MPs and wrote to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and he sent me a letter saying it was a 120 year old law and couldn't be changed because it was common law."

But Mr Rhodie did not leave it there. Dissatisfied with the response, he sent the letter to Lord Rix, president of the charity Mencap. "He read my letter out in the House of Lords and got the law changed," he said.

It is not just the words that have been altered. Reforming the law now means people with learning disabilities have equal rights to vote.

The changes have already taken place in the rest of the UK. Northern Ireland is expected to follow suit in the next few months. Douglas Bain, the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, said "it was terrible language. It meant some people who were entitled to vote couldn't. Once the law is in force in Northern Ireland, which I hope it will be very shortly, then it simply won't be an issue. People with learning difficulties and mental disabilities will be able to register to vote in exactly the same way as everyone else and play a full part in the community," said Mr Bain.

Mencap supported Mr Rhodie in his fight. Liam Burns from the charity said the change was long overdue. Mr Burns said: "The language was medieval. No-one else would accept being described in that way so why should people with learning disabilities."

Mr Rhodie said he was delighted with his success. "It's important people with learning disabilities have the right to vote and the right to live where they want and to be treated the same as everyone else as first class citizens," he said.