POlicies for dealing with voter disengagement?

Anthony Butcher · 27-02-2006, 06:39 PM

According to the Power report:

Quote:

Analysis of the Problem of Disengagement

The Myth of Apathy
Three fundamental characteristics of political disengagement
in Britain have been particularly infl uential in Power’s thinking about
the causes of the problem.
• Contrary to much of the public debate around political
disengagement, the British public are not apathetic. There is
now a great deal of research evidence to show that very large
numbers of citizens are engaged in community and charity
work outside of politics. There is also clear evidence that
involvement in pressure politics – such as signing petitions,
supporting consumer boycotts, joining campaign groups
– has been growing signifi cantly for many years. In addition,
research shows that interest in ‘political issues’ is high. The
area of decline is in formal politics: turnout for general
elections has declined very signifi cantly since 1997; turnout for
other elections has remained stubbornly low for years; party
membership and allegiance has declined very severely over the
last thirty years; elected representatives are held in very low
esteem and widely distrusted.
• Power’s own research and experience over the last eighteen
months has established that the level of alienation felt towards
politicians, the main political parties and the key institutions
of the political system is extremely high and widespread.
• The problem of disengagement from formal democracy is not
unique to Britain. Nearly all of the established democracies are
suffering from similar problems.

Red Herrings
Based on these three characteristics and its own research, Power
placed in doubt some of the analyses it has heard which claim to ex-
plain the rise of disengagement. Disengagement is NOT caused by:
• an apathetic and uninterested public with a weak sense of civic
duty;
• a widespread economic and political contentment;
• the supposedly low calibre and probity of politicians;
• the lack of competitive elections (this may have a minor
impact on election turnout but it needs to be set in the wider
context of an electoral system which is widely perceived to lead
to unequal and wasted votes);
• an overly negative news media;
• lack of time on the part of citizens.

The Reality
Power concluded that the following explanations stood up in
the face of the evidence:
• citizens do not feel that the processes of formal democracy
offer them enough infl uence over political decisions – this
includes party members who feel they have no say in policy-
making and are increasingly disaffected;
• the main political parties are widely perceived to be too similar
and lacking in principle;
the electoral system is widely perceived as leading to unequal
and wasted votes;
• political parties and elections require citizens to commit to too
broad a range of policies;
• many people feel they lack information or knowledge about
formal politics;
• voting procedures are regarded by some as inconvenient and
unattractive.

So what should UKIP propose to target this problem?

Intbel · 27-02-2006, 06:58 PM

The British, it is true, appear to be apathetic.

This is an over-generalisation with which I agree.

Brits will stick together and fight when the chips are down - so far the chips are still falling...

In time, there will be a draconion law passed which will affect the daily lives of the majority and then there will be a massive response.

Yes, we already have such laws but they are not affecting the daily lives of the majority of folks.

I fear things will have to become a lot worse before they begin to improve.

kernow · 27-02-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intbel

[color=darkblue]
In time, there will be a draconion law passed which will affect the daily lives of the majority and then there will be a massive response.

I think you're probably right! But I also suspect the EU hierarchy have realised this already, so will bring everything to bear to disguise it from the people, probably covering the bitter pill with a big dollop of sugar!

brian lee · 27-02-2006, 08:15 PM

Things for UKIP to do- There must be stacks but how about these five for starters?

1 Make the Party efficient by creating a first rate professional organisation.

2 Party management to show respect for its activists so that the feeling will be reciprocated.

3 Join with others campaigning to get some form of PR in Westminster and local elections. (First, though, it needs to adopt this for all internal elections). NEC Elections don't have to be done the current way, and there doesn't need to be any more than 3 nominations for each vacancy.

4 Develop a realistic green manifesto. This is not only necessary to attract you people but vital for the planet.

5 Treat the Party website as a major Party resource with full time staff supported by experienced young surfers.

extra ordinary · 27-02-2006, 11:02 PM

ukip be bold we want the Great back in Britain.
out of europe with a strong manufacturing and design base
and major on the small business.
care for our natural world/countryside with promotion of organic food produced locally and with decent animal welfare.
simple tax and a world class public transport system.
strong defence and the best police in the world.
advancement in any area by merit ending positive discrimination.
education highly disiplined with smaller schools, the Christian nation and our flag made proud hallmarks again. one couId go on and on ....
-as they say we are British we can do it :!:
just got to keep this machine rolling the uk will believe us in the end.

Intbel · 27-02-2006, 11:11 PM

Okay except for the Xian bit because we did not become a Xtian nation by choice.

kernow · 27-02-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extra ordinary

ukip be bold we want the Great back in Britain.
out of europe with a strong manufacturing and design base
and major on the small business.
care for our natural world/countryside with promotion of organic food produced locally and with decent animal welfare.
simple tax and a world class public transport system.
strong defence and the best police in the world.
advancement in any area by merit ending positive discrimination.
education highly disiplined with smaller schools, the Christian nation and our flag made proud hallmarks again. one couId go on and on ....
-as they say we are British we can do it :!:
just got to keep this machine rolling the uk will believe us in the end.

I'll add to your posting, criminals to receive punishment to fit the crime, your solutions would be ideal and readily accepted here in Devonshire, but I can't see any Politician who'd be too keen on trying to implement them in the Cities with their high density immigrant populations!
That is unless UKIP shows real bravery when push comes to shove!

David Holland · 01-03-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian lee

4 Develop a realistic green manifesto. This is not only necessary to attract you people but vital for the planet.

Also we are the only party which can deal with overfishing - therefore we should appeal to green voters.

Intbel · 01-03-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Holland

Also we are the only party which can deal with overfishing.

How?

kernow · 02-03-2006, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Holland

Also we are the only party which can deal with overfishing - therefore we should appeal to green voters.

Not true! It can only be true if Britain has withdrawn from the EU first! Until that happens UKIP are as powerless as any other British political party do be able to do anything about overfishing or come to that just about anything else you like to mention concerning the EU, Britain has to withdraw first before anything can happen! UKIP can make as many policies as they like, but as long as Britain is a member of the EU, they can NEVER be implemented!

27-02-2006, 06:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Intbel Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a field near you - look for the yellow and purple tent ... Posts: 4,665	The British, it is true, appear to be apathetic. This is an over-generalisation with which I agree. Brits will stick together and fight when the chips are down - so far the chips are still falling... In time, there will be a draconion law passed which will affect the daily lives of the majority and then there will be a massive response. Yes, we already have such laws but they are not affecting the daily lives of the majority of folks. I fear things will have to become a lot worse before they begin to improve. __________________ We are all free to choose - every step of the way - no exceptions.

27-02-2006, 11:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Intbel Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a field near you - look for the yellow and purple tent ... Posts: 4,665	Okay except for the Xian bit because we did not become a Xtian nation by choice. __________________ We are all free to choose - every step of the way - no exceptions.

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27-02-2006, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
brian lee Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Essex Posts: 613	Things for UKIP to do- There must be stacks but how about these five for starters? 1 Make the Party efficient by creating a first rate professional organisation. 2 Party management to show respect for its activists so that the feeling will be reciprocated. 3 Join with others campaigning to get some form of PR in Westminster and local elections. (First, though, it needs to adopt this for all internal elections). NEC Elections don't have to be done the current way, and there doesn't need to be any more than 3 nominations for each vacancy. 4 Develop a realistic green manifesto. This is not only necessary to attract you people but vital for the planet. 5 Treat the Party website as a major Party resource with full time staff supported by experienced young surfers.

27-02-2006, 11:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
extra ordinary Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: south east Posts: 196	ukip be bold we want the Great back in Britain. out of europe with a strong manufacturing and design base and major on the small business. care for our natural world/countryside with promotion of organic food produced locally and with decent animal welfare. simple tax and a world class public transport system. strong defence and the best police in the world. advancement in any area by merit ending positive discrimination. education highly disiplined with smaller schools, the Christian nation and our flag made proud hallmarks again. one couId go on and on .... -as they say we are British we can do it :!: just got to keep this machine rolling the uk will believe us in the end.