Participation examples Flashcards
(45 cards)
What was the voter turnout in the 2024 UK general election, and how did it compare to 2019?
Turnout in 2024 was 60%, compared to 67.3% in 2019, making it the second lowest since 1885.
What was the average UK general election turnout between 1964 and 1997, and how does it compare to 2005–2019?
Between 1964 and 1997, average turnout was 75%, compared to around 66% from 2005 to 2019, highlighting a decline in participation at the turn of the 21st century.
What does the 19-point turnout gap between homeowners and renters in 2024 suggest, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research?
It suggests that those most affected by societal challenges (renters) have the least faith that politics can offer solutions.
How many UK adults registered to vote in 2023, and what issue does this highlight?
8 million UK adults registered to vote in 2023, highlighting increased difficulty in voting, worsened by voter ID requirements.
How does voter turnout in the US compare to the UK in recent elections?
The US had a 67% turnout in the 2020 presidential election and a higher turnout in the 2024 presidential election than the UK general election in the same year.
How does turnout in the UK compare to Germany’s 2021 federal election?
Germany had a 77% turnout in its 2021 federal election, indicating a stronger culture of voting compared to the UK.
What was the turnout for the 2021 Welsh Senedd election, and what does this suggest about voting systems?
Turnout was just 47%, suggesting the issue of low turnout extends beyond FPTP and may reflect limited perceived power of devolved bodies rather than a democratic crisis.
What was Labour Party membership in March 2024 compared to its peak in 1953?
Labour Party membership was 366,604 in March 2024, a significant decline from 1 million members in 1953.
What political trend contributed to the decline in Labour Party membership since 1953?
The decline was catalysed by class dealignment, which led to partisan dealignment.
How did Conservative Party membership in 2022 compare to its 1953 levels?
Conservative Party membership dropped to 172,000 in 2022, down from 2.8 million in 1953.
How many Conservative Party members voted in the 2022 leadership election between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak?
Only 125,000 out of 172,000 members voted in the 2022 Conservative leadership election.
How has Labour’s stance on Gaza and its shift to the political centre affected party membership?
Many progressive members have quit the party due to its stance on Gaza and perceived drift back to the centre.
How did Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership affect Labour Party membership?
Corbyn’s leadership swelled Labour membership to around half a million, suggesting enthusiasm can boost participation.
What argument counters the idea of a participation crisis in party politics?
The argument is that there isn’t a participation crisis—voters are disengaged rather than apathetic and simply don’t like current options.
What did Nigel Farage claim about Reform Party membership in December 2024?
Farage claimed Reform had more members than the Conservative Party, showing that exciting new political movements can boost membership.
How many UK employees were trade union members in 2022, and how does this compare to 1979?
In 2022, 6.25 million UK employees were trade union members, down from the 1979 peak of 13.2 million.
What is one possible reason for the long-term decline in trade union membership?
The changing nature of work has contributed to the decline in trade union membership.
What legislation has made striking more difficult in the UK?
The Trade Union Act and the Minimum Service Levels Act 2023 (plans to be repealed by 2024 Labour government) have both made striking more difficult.
In which sector has trade union membership remained relatively steady since 1995?
Public sector trade union membership has stayed relatively steady.
What percentage of public sector employees belong to a trade union?
Around 50% of public sector employees are trade union members.
How did trade union membership change in 2023 according to government figures?
Trade union membership increased by 89,000 to reach 6.4 million in 2023.
Which group of teachers went on strike multiple times between 2019 and 2023?
Sixth form teachers in the NEU (National Education Union) participated in several strikes during this period.
