The British broadcaster, known for his aggressive interviewing style with politicians, encourages everybody to align themselves with a party ahead of the General Election next Thursday.

“I think it really matters. I’ve no sympathy whatsoever with people who say, ‘I don’t vote’,” he told Radio Times, despite admitting eighteen months ago that he did once abstain.

Paxman, 64, is firmly against the view pushed by comedian Brand, who has announced that he “ain’t registered” to vote and encourages people to follow him in protest of what he sees as a flawed democratic system.

“I’m just astonished anyone would take that position seriously. It’s the position of an idiot,” Paxman said.

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“On the whole I’m in favour of the state getting out of people’s lives, but I would not have a problem with voting being made compulsory. But if you did that, you’d have to have a box for ‘none of the above’.”