2024 democracy and participation facts

Question 1

What was the turnout

Answer 1

59.8%

Question 2

2024 turnout

Answer 2

• the second low in history
• raised concerns about participation crisis & poor health democracy
• beat 2001 at 59.4%
• Labour only won 33.7% of the vote

Question 3

Turnout by age groups

Answer 3

• young voters had turnout of 37%
• 65+ had turnout of 73%

Question 4

Turnout by ethnic groups

Answer 4

• white voters = 56%
• ethnic minorities = 43%

Question 5

factors tat potentially impacted 2024 turnout

Answer 5

• Low trust: trust and confidence in the UK’s system of government is at historic lows, many ppl don’t vote cuz they don’t trust politicians to keep their promises or act in public interests
• Electoral system: FPTP creates ‘safe seats’ in which the outcome is very predictable, parties spend few resources engaging with constituents, and voters are discourages by the fact votes for losing candidate are wasted
• Education: graduate turnout might be higher cause graduates have time and resources needed to participate

Question 6

What are long term factors that shape elections

Answer 6

• class
• education
• religion
• age
• sex

Question 7

How education shaped 2024 votes

Answer 7

• 43% with degree or higher voted Labour - in 1999, new labour set a goal for over 50% of young ppl to attend uni, and in 2001 only 20% of voters were graduates, in 2024 its 33%
• 39% with no qualification voted conservative

Question 8

How age & gender shaped 2024 votes

Answer 8

• 34% males voted lab, 35% females voted lab
• 23% males voted con, 26% females voted con
• 41% 18-24 voted Lab, whilst 5% voted Con
  -23% of 65+ votes Lab, 43% voted Con

Question 9

Why does age have a strong link to voting behaviour in 2024

Answer 9

• Young voters are more likely to have attended university than older voters, and are more likely to have a more liberal social view so they are likely to support Labour, Lib Dem’s or Greens, while old voters are more likely to vote Conservative or Reform

Question 10

Events that affected the 2024 elections

Answer 10

• Covid 19 pandemic : impact on UK’s finances leading to govt borrowing and high NHS waiting list. Party gate led to BJ’s resignation
• Russian invasion of Ukraine : further drove up global energy and food prices, govt faced increasing press ire t handle cost of living crisis

Question 11

What were the most important issues for voters in 2024 GE

Answer 11

• the cost of living
• health (NHS)
• the economy
• immigration