Despite uncertainties over the precisely when, we all know that an election is coming. A plethora of studies and commentaries concentrating on the probability of a
hung parliament and the
consequences of this for the coming years of British politics has meant that there is nevertheless an important question that has not received its due attention: voter turnout.
In Saturday's edition of The Guardian (27th February 2010) one small article hidden away on page twelve attempted to bridge the issue. Referencing the
Hansard Society's report Audit of Political Engagement , the article mentions how ‘a generation of Ms Mistrustfuls and Mr Boreds [...] hold the key to No. 10'. A combination of long-term alienation from the political sphere and short-term rejection as a result of the expenses scandal has left the political engagement of the British public at gravely low levels, with only 10% of the 2,000 voters surveyed being defined as ‘politically committed', while 14% were active campaigners, 14% were interested bystanders and 8% politically contented. The flipside of the data is that 54% of the respondents fell into the disengaged/mistrustful, alienated/hostile, detached cynic and bored/apathetic categories. In other words, over half of the surveyed sample of the British electorate are disengaged from politics.
This is not simply a short-term response to the shortcomings of the present incumbents. Voter turnout in the UK has been declining steadily for decades and rapidly since 1997, falling from 71.4% to around 60% in 2001 and 2005 (according to House of Commons Research Papers 01/54 & 05/33). This latest survey from the Hansard Society indicates that this figure could fall even further, with significant consequences for the quality of Britain's democracy.
The data illustrates that a power gap has opened between politicians and the electorate. A homogenised perception of the political class, exacerbated by the expenses scandal, means that a majority of the population have little hope or trust in the proposals on offer. This comes at a time when the recession, the promise of budget cuts and uncertainty on the labour market may add to social unrest: we should not forget how similar conditions were central to the rise in popularity of populist radical right wing groups in places such as Italy, France, Austria and Belgium. Although the threat of the radical right to British politics is relatively minor due to the bias against smaller fringe parties in our first past the post electoral system over the coming years we should be aware of the possibility of disaffected communities and individuals turning to those expressing more radical and intolerant political views.
The wider problem associated with the disengagement and distrust of the electorate refers to the quality of Britain's democracy. An inactive and segregated population is unable to adequately formulate and express its needs and hopes to the political class, and this limits the extent to which leaders can truly represent the interests of the represented. Recent developments from parties, institutions, social enterprises, think-tanks, and charities have promised to give power back to the individuals in society. Indeed, ‘power' seems to have become the buzz word in contemporary Britain. The theory is positive. The practice may however be more difficult.
Engaging with local communities and empowering society are vital steps towards bridging this gap between politicians and the electorate. Suggestions so far, such as community referenda and public
vetoes on council tax only give society the chance to accept or reject top-down propositions. This is not true empowerment. Going further, neighbourhood assemblies providing a forum for community members to articulate and deliberate their opinions would provide a democratic platform for the bottom-up communication of local interests to councillors and councils. On the one hand, individuals would have a real chance to have their voices heard, whilst on the other hand interaction and cooperation between neighbours would be encouraged, thus giving society greater cohesion. This could provide the foundations for a politically active, integrated British society. A step in this direction has already been taken in
some parts of London, and has been particularly effective at politically mobilising communities across
Bolivia.
However, the process will not occur overnight: a culture of participation and deliberation must be fostered and encouraged through the provision of spaces for debate. As a result, although empowerment will be a key phrase during the coming months, substantive developments towards the improvement of our democracy must look beyond short-term electioneering.