“Evaluate the view that the UK is facing a participation crisis”

Intro:

• Political participation= any action taken to influence the political system

• Political participation is an essential party of a functioning democracy

• Higher levels of participation increase the legitimacy of political actioN, the mandate of politicians and governments and understanding of political processes

• “Participation crisis” refers to the idea that participation is so low that it is undermining the legitimacy and strength of the democratic system

• judgement- It is to soon to tell whether the UK is suffering from a participation crisis- turnout is increasing, pressure group influence is increasing and and so is political activism/trade unionism

1. Turnout is elections

• In 2001 the turnout was only 59.4% in comparison to 83.9% in 1951

• In the 2022 welsh assembly local elections turnout was only 38%- 33.6% in England

• In 2016 turnout for the London Mayoral elections was 45%

• This has allowed for decreased legitimacy in government and a weakened mandate

• Allowed labour to be elected on only 35% of popular vote in 2005

• However-

• Turnout has been increasing since 2001- in the 2019 GE the turnout was 67.3%

• Turnout in 2021 Scottish Parliament election was 63.5% the highest ever in a Scottish parliament elections

• General Election turnout=high- 7.6% voting increase under EU 2016 referendum was 72.2%, 2014 Scottish independence referendum was 84.6%

• Whilst turnout for elections such as 2011 AV Referendum was lower- powerful statement of disinterest

• Judgment- people vote when it matters and turnout is increasing

2. Membership

• Membership of political parties has declined significantly over time

• Highest historic membership numbers were in 1953 2.8 million to conservatives, 1 million labour

• Traditionally party membership was absolutely essential in political participation and attending local party meetings were common

• 2015- only 1% of the electorate was a member of Labour, Conservative or Lib-Dems in comparison to 3.8% in 1983

• 2015- only 30% of public claimed to be a strong supporter of a political party

• SNP members- 119,000 in 2021- 72,000 in 2023

• However:

• In 2022- Labour had 432,000 members (although down from 523,000)- Corbyn Surge

• SNPs membership has grown from 22,000 before 2014 to 72,000 in 2023

• Judgment- people are now engaging in different ways such as social media, pressure groups and online petitions which are a lot more accessible and doesn’t commit a person to a certain group- people are clearly willing to associate with a party when they have views that align- the decrease in members itself can be an example of political participation

• Revoke Article 50 + remain in EU Petition signed by 6.1 million

• Environmental groups have a membership of 4.5 million- 1/10 adults are a part of such groups

3. Pressure group/trade union activity

• Trade unions traditionally allowed people to engage in politics

• 1970s- 13 million brits members of trade unions

• Under thatcher- the state sought to reduce influence of trade unions

• Trade Union Act 2016

• In 2021- 6.4 million in trade in one

• However-

• The number of strikes has increased significantly

• Trade union membership has grown for last four years in a row

• Since January 2023- membership of NFU has increased by 44,000

• In 2023- 98% of Junior Doctors took part in a ballot to strike- record turnout of 77.5%

• Growth in direct action from pressure groups- Just stop oil in 2022/2023

Conclusion:

Political participation is changing- not declining

• The internet has transformed communication within the UK and how people participate in politics

• Allows people to access and partake in political debate from their homes

• Use of E Petitions, Pressure groups, social media etc

• Turnout is increasing gradually- too early to tell if there is a participation crisis