Different forms of participation

Question 1

When and under what power were citizens aged 18 and over given the franchise (the right to vote)?

Answer 1

Under the representation of the People Act 1969

Question 2

In 1831 how many people were allowed to vote and were represented?

Answer 2

• Only 5% of over 18’s were able to vote

- this represented 450,000 individuals from a population of c25 million

Question 3

By 1969 how many people were allowed to vote and were represented?

Answer 3

99% of adults had the vote

-around 40 million individuals from a population of 58 million

Question 4

What 5 factors mean a person is unable to vote?

Answer 4

If a person is.

• an EU citizen from an EU country other then Britain
• a member of the House of Lords
• a convicted criminal who is in prison
• convicted of a corrupt or illegal electoral practise
• suffering from a severe mental illness

Question 5

What was the general election turnout in 1951 compared to 2010?

Answer 5

1951-82.6%

2010-65.1%

Question 6

What was the general election turnout of 2001?

Answer 6

59.4%

Question 7

Why is low turnout a problem?

Answer 7

Low turnout brings into question the governments legitimacy and the strength of its electoral mandate

Question 8

Give an example as to how national turnout figures mask massive regional variations

Answer 8

independent Dr Richard Taylor won on a 75% turnout in Wyre Forest, despite a record low turnout of only 59% nationwide

Question 9

Give an example of differential turnout in 2010 general election

Answer 9

77. 3% turnout in the constituency in East Renfrewshire

44. 3% turnout in the constituency in Manchester §1

Question 10

What is differential turnout ?

Answer 10

This refers to the way in which the national figures often obscure significant regional variations

Question 11

What 4 factors may account for differential turnout

Answer 11

• how marginal an individual seat or election it is
• the electoral system, if people think their vote counts
• local or national issues
• media attention, greater or lesser media activity in a constituency may affect turnout

Question 12

What category of people are most likely to vote in a general election?

Answer 12

-Older, white women in a higher social class

Question 13

In 2010, what percentage of those
-over 65
-18-24
cast a ballot?

Answer 13

over 65-76%

18-24- 44%

Question 14

What 3 reasons suggest turnout is so low?

Answer 14

1) intelligent voters
2) disaffected or apathetic voters
3) Media-driven voters

Question 15

Why is turnout low because of intelligent voters?

Answer 15

intelligent voters are more likely to turnout to vote only when they can see that the resulting institutions are important

Question 16

Why is turnout low because of disaffected or apathetic voters?

Answer 16

An increasing number of voters are coming to the conclusion that elections don’t matter as ‘all parties are the same’

Question 17

Why is turnout low because of media-driven voters?

Answer 17

some people only vote when the media bring the elections to their attention, abstaining in low-profile elections

Question 18

What is hapathy?

Answer 18

When people abstain because they are happy with text status quo and do not feel the need to cast a ballot

Question 19

What did the research on voting behaviour conducted for the Electoral Commission in 2005 reveal?

Answer 19

This research showed that 29% of those who described themselves as ‘satisfied with democracy’ did not vote in the 2005 general election

Question 20

Give 6 examples of non electoral participation

Answer 20

• canvassing and leafleting
• organising election events and fundraising activities
• staffing campaign offices
• membership to a political party
• engaging in pressure group activity
• individually writing to an MP or councillor

Question 21

What issues do protest politics circulate most commonly? (5)

Answer 21

• furl prices
• hunting
• globalisation
• Iraq War
• University fees

Question 22

From 1984-2000 what is the percentage evidence which shows how the activity of boycotting products for ethical reasons has increased?

Answer 22

1984- 4%

2000-31%

Question 23

In which year did the RSPB have more members than that of all 3 main UK parties combined?

Answer 23

2009

Question 24

In 2009 
-how many members
-annual income 
-network 
-staff
did the RSPB have?

Answer 24

• 1.2 million members
• £50 million per year income
• a network of 175 local groups and 110 youth groups
• 1,300 staff, 8,800 volunteers

Question 25

How has party membership declined from 1951-2008 in the Conservative and Labour parties?

Answer 25

Conservative 
    1951- 2.9 million
    2008- 250,000
Labour
    1951-876,000 
    2008- 166,000

Question 26

What did Noreena Hertz remark in the Independent following the record low turnout in 2001?

Answer 26

“…other forms of political expression are on the rise”

Question 27

In what year were 5% of over-18’s were able to vote which represented 450,000 individuals from a population of 25 million?

Answer 27

1831

Question 28

By what year had 99% of adults have the vote, around 40 million individuals from a population of 58 million?

Answer 28

1969

Question 29

What was the election turnout in 1997 (new labour)
and 1979 (Margret Thatcher). Extreme governments

Answer 29

• 71.4%

- 76.0%