Age, class and turnout

Question 1

What is the relationship between age and turnout?

Answer 1

Younger voters turn out less than older voters. This has exaggerated the impact of age on elections and referendums

Question 2

What proportion of the 18-24 bracket voted in 2019?

Answer 2

47%

Question 3

What proportion of the 65+ bracket voted in 2019?

Answer 3

74%

Question 4

How much did voting amongst young people fall between 1992 and 2015?

Answer 4

19%

Question 5

What % of young people turned out to vote in 2005?

Answer 5

37

Question 6

What happened in 2017 that broke the norms around age and turnout?

Answer 6

There was a ‘youthquake’ (a surge in the amount of young people voting) which helped labour perform much better and helped cost the conservatives their majority

Question 7

List the 5 main reasons why turnout is lower amongst young people

Answer 7

• There is widespread disillusion around conventional politics amongst the young. This may be because politicians have introduced policies that discriminate against their age group
• There is a general apathy, with young people believing that political issues do not concern them or that voting will not make a difference
• The young are increasingly finding alternative forms of participation and using them to replace conventional participation
• Younger people tend to be more interested in single issues than broad ideology. This has led them to prefer pressure groups and online activity
• Many young people feel the need to abstain

Question 8

What are disillusion and apathy?

Answer 8

A process of disengagement with politics. Having no confidence in the political processes’ ability to solve issues and make a difference. Manifested in low turnout and a lack of awareness about contemporary issues

Question 9

Define abstention

Answer 9

When people choose not to vote to protest about the state of politics, or the failure of political parties to represent them

Question 10

What proportion of 16-17 year olds voted in the Scottish independence referendum?

Answer 10

75%

Question 11

How does class impact turnout?

Answer 11

Those of a higher class are more likely to vote than those of a lower class

Question 12

State the % turnout of the 4 social classes in the 2019 general election

Answer 12

AB - 68%
C1 - 64%
C2 - 59%
DE - 53%

Question 13

What is the main reason that someone will not vote?

Answer 13

Because they feel it will not make a difference

Question 14

Explain the significance of the low turnout amongst the 18-44 age group between 2005-2015

Answer 14

This poses a problem for labour, because a higher proportion of their support comes from young voters

Question 15

Explain the significance of the higher turnout for the 65+ age group

Answer 15

Gives an advantage to the conservative party and UKIP, as they are most supported by this group

Question 16

Explain the significance of the fact that the AB class turnout in much higher numbers than the DE class

Answer 16

This gave a large advantage to the conservatives, as they are more likely to be supported by this class, while discriminating against labour - as their support is concentrated amongst the DE class

Question 17

Explain the significance of the fact that turnout gradually increased between 2005-2017, after the significant drop off between 1992-2001

Answer 17

This suggests that the participation crisis may be coming to an end, but it could also just be a result of the fact that these elections were much closer contests.