Audit Of Political Engagement

Public Sector

A new report published today shows that whilst most people have a strong aspiration to have a say in how the country is run, many doubt that political participation is the best way to do so. According to research conducted by MORI for The Electoral Commission and Hansard Society's second annual Audit of political engagement, two-thirds of the public (67%) want to have a say in how the country is run, but only 27% at the moment feel that they do have a say.

 

A new report published today shows that whilst most people have a strong aspiration to have a say in how the country is run, many doubt that political participation is the best way to do so. According to research conducted by MORI for The Electoral Commission and Hansard Society's second annual Audit of political engagement, two-thirds of the public (67%) want to have a say in how the country is run, but only 27% at the moment feel that they do have a say.

  • At the same time, MORI's survey for the Audit finds the number who see the value of involvement in politics has not moved from its low level in last year's survey: fewer than two in five say they believe that "When people like me get involved in politics, they can really change the way that the country is run".
  • This frustration is reflected in the survey's findings that less than half (45%) the public feel they know a fair amount or a great deal about politics and barely a majority (53%) find it of interest.
  • Just over half (52%) said they would be 'absolutely certain' to vote at an immediate general election and political activism remains a minority pursuit.
  • However, contrary to claims of political 'apathy', over three quarters (77%) of those polled said they are interested in national issues and even more (81%) interested in local issues.

The full report can be downloaded from The Electoral Commission website

Topline Results

  • Topline results are based on 2,065 adults aged 18+ in UK
  • Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in home, between 2-6 December 2004 in Great Britain, and in Northern Ireland between 14-21 December 2004
  • Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated
  • Data are weighted to the profile of the population
  • An asterisk (*) indicates a finding of less than 0.5% but greater than zero
  • Where percentages do not add up to exactly 100% this may be due to computer rounding, the exclusion of "don't knows" or to multiple answers

Q1 And how likely would you be to vote in an immediate General Election, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 means you would be absolutely certain to vote, and 1 means that you would be absolutely certain not to vote?

  %
10 -- absolutely certain to vote 52
9 6
8 8
7 5
6 3
5 7
4 2
3 3
2 2
1 -- absolutely certain not to vote 11
Don't know 1
Refused -

Q2 Which, if any, of the things on this list have you done in the last two or three years?

  %
Presented my views to a local councillor or MP 17
Written a letter to an editor 7
Urged someone outside my family to vote 17
Urged someone to get in touch with a local councillor or MP 16
Made a speech before an organised group 17
Been an officer of an organisation or club 13
Stood for public office 1
Taken an active part in a political campaign 3
Helped on fund raising drives 30
Voted in the last general election 61
Flown on business overseas 8
Flown on a business trip within the UK 8
None of these 23

Q3 And which of these, if any, have you done in the last two or three years?

  %
Been to any political meeting 6
Boycotted certain products for political, ethical or environmental reasons 20
Contacted my local council 28
Discussed politics or political news with someone else 38
Donated money or paid a membership fee to a charity or campaigning organisation 44
Donated money or paid a membership fee to a political party 6
Done voluntary work 28
Helped organise a charity event 21
Served as a local magistrate *
Served as a school or hospital governor 2
Signed a petition 44
Taken an active part in a party's campaign at a general election 2
Taken an active part in a party's campaign at a local election 2
Taken part in a demonstration, picket or march 6
Taken part in a sponsored event 22
Taken part in a strike 2
Voted in the last local council election 50
None 16
Don't know *

Q4-7 How interested would you say you are in the following...?

  Very interested Fairly interested Not very interested Not at all interested Don't know
  % % % % %
Q4 Politics 13 40 28 19 *
Q5 Local issues 32 49 14 5 *
Q6 National issues 25 52 17 6 *
Q7 International Issues 21 44 26 8 *

Q8 How much, if anything, do you feel you know about politics?

  %
A great deal 4
A fair amount 41
Not very much 44
Nothing at all 10
Don't know *

Q9-10 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
  % % % % % %
Q9 When people like me get involved in politics, they really can change the way that the country is run 7 29 20 31 10 2
Q10 I want to have a say in how the country is run 22 45 15 12 5 1

Q11 Which of these statements best describes your opinion on the present system of governing Britain?

  %
Works extremely well and could not be improved 2
Could be improved in small ways but mainly works well 32
Could be improved quite a lot 45
Needs a great deal of improvement 18
Don't know 3

Q12 Which of these statements best describes your attitude towards voting at General Elections?

  %
I always vote at General Elections 64
I sometimes vote at General Elections 20
I never vote at General Elections 11
I've not been eligible in the past to vote at a General Election 4
Don't know *

Q13 And now can you tell me the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement?

  Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
  % % % % % %
I have a say in how the country is run at the moment 3 24 16 36 19 1

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