Audit of Political Engagement 3 (Mar 2006)

Hansard Society/Electoral Commission report
Available free via download

An audit of political engagement 3 finds serious differences in levels of political knowledge, interest and activism between different social groups. But it suggests that creating more opportunities for direct participation, where citizens can directly influence political decisions through petitions, demonstrations and public inquiries, for example, will not bridge this gap.

Published by The Electoral Commission and the Hansard Society, the third annual Audit of political engagement points to an ‘utterly disengaged' minority, made up mainly of people lower social economic groups, who know little about politics and care even less:

• 14% of the UK population are ‘not at all interested' in politics
• 17% do not want to have a say in how the country is run
• 12% would not be willing to do anything to influence or protest against a decision by a local or national government body

The findings also suggest that new forms of direct participation are most likely to be used by those already politically active - predominantly the better educated, professional social groups - further marginalising the ‘utterly disengaged'.

While a large majority of people claim they want a say in how the country is run (67%), and like the idea of more direct methods of participating, they are often unwilling to put this into practice. People from lower social economic groups are least likely to get involved. For example, 63% of ABs say they would be willing to contact their MP or councillor - compared to 32% of DEs. 61% of ABs say they have signed a petition, compared to 32% of DEs. ABs are three times more likely than people from lower social economic groups to have attended a demonstration (21% compared to 7%).

Overall, interest in politics is up slightly on last year - 56% compared with 53% in 2005. The evidence also suggests that big electoral events, such as the general election 2005, continue to drive interest and activism in politics. In May 2005 interest in politics rose to 61% although this was not sustained after the election, with levels returning to ‘normal' levels quickly afterwards.