The 7th Annual Audit of Political Engagement

The 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement has been released. The Audit this year has a special focus on MPs and Parliament, raises a number of topical issues in the context of MPs' expenses and the forthcoming general election, and provides longer term reflections on the level of continuity and change charted in the Audit findings over the course of this Parliament.

It shows that while the MPs' expenses scandal has affected the public's satisfaction with and perception of MPs and the Westminster Parliament, there has not been a change in the level of trust people say they have in politicians or politics. However, a significant finding of the Audit this year is that there has been a big decline since 2004 in the perceived impact of the Westminster Parliament on people's lives, compared to other institutions. Only 19% think Parliament is one of the top three influential institutions on their everyday lives - an 11% drop from 2004. But 60% still think Parliament is 'worthwhile', compared to only 14% who disagree. 

Other key findings include: 

• Public dissatisfaction with how MPs in general do their jobs has risen by 8% 
• Whilst 71% of people say they have discussed MP's expenses in the last year, but only 41% say they have discussed politics or political views
• 76% say it is their duty to vote, but only 54% say they are absolutely certain to vote

Using statistical techniques the Audit divides the public into eight groups and looks at the 'voting gap' for each group - the difference between each group's 'duty to vote' and their 'certainty to vote'. Two groups of people have been identified as the people that politicians and political parties should concentrate on to increase voter turn out:

• The 'politically contented' (6% of British adults) where 92% have a 'duty to vote' but only 55% have a 'certainty to vote'. This group are fairly positive about politics and therefore may be more open than most to positive efforts to engage with them.
  
• The 'disengaged/mistrustful' (24% of British adults) where 60% have a 'duty to vote' and 24% have a 'certainty to vote'. This group are more likely to be mistrustful of politicians, but they are not alienated or hostile; at 24% of the population they are too large to ignore and present opportunities for targeted engagement initiatives.
  

Download the full 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement.

Listen to the launch event

See the photos from the launch

Read the press release for the 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement.