Political participation refers to the ways in which individuals and groups engage in the political process, including voting, campaigning, and advocating for political change. In the wake of the last two years of political confusion, discussions around participation and the extent of democracy are being raised more frequently. To assess whether the UK is currently experiencing a political participation crisis by examining various indicators of political engagement, such as voter turnout, membership in political parties, and activism.
One key indicator of political participation is voter turnout, or the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in elections. In the UK, voter turnout has declined in recent decades, with an average of about 66% of eligible voters casting a ballot in general elections between 2001 and 2019. This is lower than the average voter turnout in other European countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden, which all have average voter turnouts of around 87%. This would mean that compared to European counterparts, political turnout in elections in the UK are significantly lower than Europe, thus representing a potential participation crisis.
However, it is important to note that voter turnout can vary significantly depending on the type of election and the demographics of the electorate. For example, voter turnout tends to be higher in general elections than in local or European elections, and it is generally higher among older and more affluent voters. Therefore, low voter turnout in the UK could be due to a variety of factors, such as the perceived importance of the election, the accessibility of the voting process, and the attractiveness of the candidates and
parties.
Another indicator of political participation is membership in political parties, which can provide individuals with a sense of political community and an opportunity to influence party policies and decisions. In the UK, membership in political parties has declined significantly in recent decades, with the number of members falling from around 4 million in the 1950s to around 450,000 in 2021. This decline has been attributed to a variety of factors, including changes in the political landscape, the increasing polarization of parties, and the declining influence of parties on policy-making.
Despite these trends, it is important to note that political participation in the UK takes many forms beyond voting and party membership. For example, there are many grassroots movements and organizations that seek to advocate for political change and engage in civic activism. These groups, which include environmental organizations, human rights groups, and community organizations, have played a key role in shaping public policy and bringing about social change in the UK.
It is difficult to determine whether the UK is experiencing a political participation crisis based on a single indicator, such as voter turnout or party membership. While these indicators suggest that political engagement in the UK has declined in recent decades, there are many other forms of political participation, such as activism and advocacy, that contribute to the democratic process. It is important to consider the complex and multifaceted nature of political participation to fully assess the health of democracy in the UK.