Join the authors of the 2017 Audit of Political Engagement as they present their findings alongside a panel of leading commentators, and explore how one of the most consequential acts of democratic decision-making ever seen in this country has shaped levels of political engagement across the UK.
- As we go into an unexpected general election how politically engaged are the British public?
- Do they feel interested in and knowledgeable about politics? Are they more satisfied with our system of governing?
- Voter turnout in the EU referendum was high. Are there any other areas where people’s political behaviour is changing?
- Beyond voter turnout, has there been a positive ‘referendum effect’ on public attitudes to politics and Parliament of the kind witnessed after the Scottish independence referendum in 2014?
- And in just a few weeks we will be electing 650 MPs to Parliament - but what do the British public want from our MPs, and how well do they think Parliament has carried out its core functions in recent years?
This event is free to attend. Teas, coffee and light refreshments will be served from 8:45am.
Speakers
Tim Bale
Professor of Politics, Queen Mary, University of London
Alexandra Runswick
Director, Unlock Democracy
Ruth Fox
Director, Hansard Society, and co-author of the 2017 Audit report
Joel Blackwell
Senior Researcher, Hansard Society, and co-author of the 2017 Audit report
Chair: Penny Young
Director, Participation, and Librarian, House of Commons
About the Audit of Political Engagement
The Hansard Society’s Audit of Political Engagement is the only annual health check on British democracy. Now in its 14th year, the study measures the ‘political pulse’ of the nation, providing a unique benchmark to gauge public opinion with regard to politics and the political process. Each Audit report presents the findings from a public opinion poll survey, providing detailed commentary on a range of measures that have been chosen as key indicators of political engagement. These indictors enable us to chronicle responses year-on-year and track the direction and magnitude of change since the Audit was first published in 2004.
The Audit of Political Engagement is supported by the House of Commons.
Enjoy reading this? Please consider sharing it
Latest
House of Lords Speaker Hustings 2021
The Hansard Society hosted two online hustings for the candidates in the 2021 Lord Speaker election. The first event, on 25 March, was chaired by the BBC’s parliamentary correspondent Mark D’Arcy; and the second, on 13 April, was chaired by Jackie Ashley, former political correspondent and broadcaster.
Groundhog Day for Restoration and Renewal after the Strategic Review: There is still no alternative
The Strategic Review of the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal programme has been published, after 10 months’ work – but political factors mean that implementation of the programme’s main conclusion, that there will be a ‘full decant’ from the building while work takes place, remains in doubt.
Financial Scrutiny: the Budget
In order to raise income, the government needs to obtain approval from Parliament for its taxation plans. The Budget process is the means by which the House of Commons considers the government’s plans to impose ‘charges on the people’ and its assessment of the wider state of the economy.
Financial Scrutiny: the Finance Bill
The Finance Bill enacts the government’s Budget provisions – its income-raising proposals and detailed tax changes. Parliament’s scrutiny and authorisation of these taxation plans are crucial in holding the government to account – between elections – for the money it raises and spends.
Lord Frost appointment raises parliamentary scrutiny questions
Lord Frost’s appointment as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office to lead on UK-EU relations brings some welcome clarity about future government arrangements in this area. However, it also raises challenges for parliamentary scrutiny, above all with respect to his status as a Member of the House of Lords.
Ping-pong and packaging
There was controversy on 9 February over whether the government had used procedural trickery to swerve a backbench rebellion in the House of Commons on a clause inserted in the Trade Bill by the House of Lords. Apparently, it was something to do with ‘packaging’. What does that mean, and was it true? The answer is all about ‘ping-pong’.