Participation Crisis

Thesis Point 1 -Declining Voter turnout

• Voter turnout in general elections has significantly declined from post-war levels, where it often exceeded 75%, to lower figures in recent decades. For example, turnout fell to a historic low of 59% in the 2001 general election.

• Local and European elections often see even lower turnouts, indicating disengagement from less publicized levels of governance. In 2022, local elections saw an average turnout of just 34%.

• Low turnout questions the legitimacy of governments, as they may lack a strong mandate from the electorate.

Anti Thesis Point 1 -High turnout

• spikes during high-stakes events, indicating that when people feel their vote matters, they engage.

  • 72.2% of eligible voters participated in the 2016 EU referendum.

  • The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 saw a record-breaking turnout of 84.6%.

• political disengagement may be tied to a lack of perceived relevance in regular elections, rather than a broader apathy.

Thesis Point 2 - Decline in Party Membership

• Tories had 2.8 million members in the 1950s but now has fewer than 200,000. Labour’s membership, though higher during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, has also declined, with recent figures hovering around 380,000.

• Smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats and Greens struggle to build substantial membership bases, limiting their capacity to influence mainstream politics.

• The decline in grassroots activism weakens parties’ ability to connect with citizens and develop policies that reflect diverse interests.

Anti Thesis Point 2 -Growing Issue-Based Activism

• Political participation has shifted from traditional forms to issue-based activism, such as protests, petitions, and social media campaigns have galvanized millions of people who may not engage through traditional channels.

• Digital platforms enable widespread political participation outside elections. For instance, over 6 million people signed a 2019 petition to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.

• These new forms of engagement suggest people are not apathetic but are choosing alternative avenues to influence policy.

Thesis Point 3 - Disengagement of Young People

• Youth turnout in elections remains worryingly low. In the 2019 general election, only 47% of 18–24-year-olds voted compared to 74% of those aged over 65.

• Younger generations often express dissatisfaction with political systems, perceiving them as unrepresentative or irrelevant to their concerns (e.g., housing affordability, climate change).

• Political apathy among young people exacerbates generational imbalances, with policies skewed toward older voters who participate more consistently.

Anti Thesis Point 3 -Growth in other groups

• Women, ethnic minorities, and younger demographics are becoming increasingly politically active in non-traditional ways. For example, organizations like the Muslim Council of Britain and Stonewall work to mobilize underrepresented groups.

• Younger generations are highly vocal on environmental and social justice issues, participating in protests and online activism. This counters the narrative of apathy and highlights evolving engagement patterns.