POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT

Measuring the level of political engagement across a nation is a fundamental source of information and insight for any parliament. It is key to understanding
why people show up to vote and, just as importantly, why many of the public still dont. The EU referendum last June saw 72 per cent of the eligible population
cast their ballot, the highest recorded turnout since 1992. But while engagement has improved, public opinion about politics in the UK still shows some
discontent and, perhaps more worryingly, a general sense of indifference

CORE ENGAGEMENT INDICATORS AND MAJOR POLITICAL EVENTS

Certain to vote Interested in politics Knowledgeable about politics Knowledgeable about parliament Feel that getting involved is effective Satisfied with the system of governing

80%

UK UK
Scottish
2005 parliamentary 2010 2015 membership
independence
UK general expenses UK general UK general of EU
70% referendum
election scandal election election referendum
2014
May 2009 2016

60%
59%

51% 53%
50% 50%
49%

45%
42%
40%
37% 37%
36%
32%
30% 31%

20%

10%

0%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Hansard Society 2017

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
PERCENTAGE WHO HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS/WOULD DO IF THEY FELT STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT AN ISSUE IN THE FUTURE

2016 2017
HAVE DONE WOULD DO

Vote in an election

Donate money or pay membership fees

to a charity/campaigning organisation

Create or sign an e-petition

Contact a local councillor/MP/MSP/

Welsh Assembly Member

Boycott certain products for political/

ethical/environmental reasons

Contribute to an online discussion/

campaign or on social media

Create or sign a paper petition

Take part in a public consultation

Take an active part in a campaign

Attend political meetings

Donate money or pay membership

fees to a political party

Take part in a demonstration,

picket or march

Contact the media

None of these

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Hansard Society 2017

SOURCES OF POLITICAL INFORMATION

PERCENTAGE OF THE PUBLIC WHO RELY ON DIFFERENT ONLINE AND OFFLINE SOURCES FOR POLITICAL INFORMATION

Use somewhat/use a lot Not all all/not much

74% 54% 52% 48% 27% 18% 15%

26% 46% 48% 52% 73% 82% 85%

Television Newspaper Online news Radio Facebook YouTube Twitter

Market Research Society 2015

POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT BY AGE

CERTAINTY TO VOTE AND AN INTEREST/KNOWLEDGE OF POLITICS GENERALLY RISES WITH AGE

CERTAINTY TO VOTE INTEREST IN POLITICS KNOWLEDGE OF POLITICS

those who said they were those who claimed to be those who know at least a fair
absolutely certain very/fairly interested amount about politics

85%
73% 73%
68% 66%
60% 60% 58%
50% 51% 47% 56% 56% 52% 49%
43% 47% 40%
39% 37%
33%

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+

Hansard Society 2017