Participation Crisis and Reforms

Evidence suggesting the UK is suffering a participation crisis

• 2024 election turnout- 59.7% (lowest since 2001)

• Party membership is significantly decreasing due to people feeling that they don’t reflect modern day UK

Evidence against a participation crisis

• Since 2001, turnout has been steadily increasing

• Growth in membership of smaller parties

• People partake in events such as BLM protests and Anti- war marches (younger generation)

How will online voting increase turnout?

• Easier for everyone

• Students say they would be more likely to vote if it was online

Why may online voting cause issues?

• It is difficult to guarantee the secrecy of ballots

• Electoral fraud could increase due to it not being clearly regulated

How will changing the voting system increase participation?

• Proportional Representation will encourage people to vote as the percentage of seats is equal to the percentage of votes (more representative)

• Will make people feel like their vote counts as opposed to how they feel with FPTP

Why may chaning the voting system not enhance participation?

• FPTP works well and has alot of public support

• Will result in weak coalition governments

• FPTP works well and changing it will undermine the key features of UK democracy

How will compulsory voting increase turnout?

• Allows all social classes and ages to vote

• Increase legitimacy of government who is voted in

• Ballots could include a “none of the above” box to show they don’t support any of the candidates

Why may compulsory voting decrease legitimacy?

• People may vote for random parties meaning that the elected government lack precedense

• Not everyone has an interest in politics

• Voting is a choice not a duty so should not be forced upon anyone

How will lowering the voting age increase turnout?

• It will instill the habit of voting from a young age

• Encourage young people to be interested in politics

• Will increase youth turnout and will lead to an increase of turnout of all ages in the long term

Why may lowering the voting age decrease turnout?

• 16-18 year olds are unlikely to be interested in politics (resulting in a lower turnout)

• People may spoil their ballots and vote random parties as a joke

• Younger people are more likely to be influenced by radical parties