A recent study has revealed that the upcoming election is expected to be the most unequal in 60 years due to disparities in voter turnout based on factors such as age, income, social class, home ownership, and ethnicity.
The IPPR, a think tank with a center-left perspective, discovered that in the 1960s, there was a minimal difference in voter turnout between social groups. However, by 2010, this gap had increased to 18 percentage points between the highest earners, who have a higher likelihood of voting, and the lowest earners.
There is a significant difference in voting rates between homeowners and renters, with a 23-point gap. Graduates were also more likely to vote, creating a 15-point gap compared to those who did not attend university. Additionally, there is a 28-point difference in voting rates between individuals aged 61 and above, who were more likely to vote than those aged 18-24.
The Institute for Public Policy Research discovered that 90% of individuals in the highest third of income earners participated in the last two general elections, while only 70% from the lowest third did so.
The lowest 33% of earners were roughly three times more inclined to believe that voting is not worthwhile compared to the top 33%, and individuals who rent are also over twice as likely as homeowners to hold this belief.
The research also examined individuals who have interacted with politicians, revealing that 33% of university graduates have personally reached out to a politician, while only 14% of non-graduates have done so.
The research did not examine which party, the Conservatives or Labour, gains the most from the discrepancy in voter turnout. However, it is noted that older voters tend to lean towards the Tories rather than Labour.
One of the impacts mentioned by Dr Parth Patel, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, is that government policies tend to cater more towards the needs of older individuals, those who are financially stable, and those with higher levels of education.
According to him, there are significant disparities in the influence of different individuals in our democratic system. The decisions made in policies tend to cater more towards the desires of affluent individuals rather than those who are disadvantaged, and this is a well-known fact among the public. However, it appears to be overlooked by most politicians.
“Our democratic system requires a revamp, regardless of who holds the reins of power. In order for individuals to regain agency over their own lives and feel a sense of security, they must feel their impact in the collaborative effort of decision-making that is democracy.”
According to Patel, the significant impact of wealthier individuals is one possible explanation for the increasing income disparity in the UK political system. This is because lower-income groups tend to be more in favor of redistributive policies.
The IPPR stated that the issues were worsened by a focus on party memberships, political donors, and career politicians among individuals who are affluent and have higher education levels.
According to the data, the proportion of MPs from working-class backgrounds has decreased at a rate that is twice as rapid as the decline in the overall percentage of the public employed in similar occupations.
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According to estimates by IPPR, only 7% of MPs can be classified as working class, while 34% of working-age adults fall into this category.
According to the research, the UK may fall into a negative cycle where policies are not adequately addressing the needs of citizens, leading to a rise in populism and further eroding trust in the democratic system.
In order to address this issue, it suggests implementing a fresh round of constitutional changes in the UK to distribute power and influence, in hopes of improving overall quality of life and increasing life expectancy.
Some nations have increased participation in elections by implementing strategies such as mandatory voting, automatic registration of voters, voting on weekends, and providing mobile polling locations.
Unfortunately, constitutional reform has not been given high importance in the UK because it is challenging to pass changes through the House of Commons and Lords. In 2011, the coalition government consisting of Tories and Lib Dems held a referendum on altering the voting system, but it did not receive enough support for any alteration. They also abandoned their plans to reform the House of Lords.
The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, has expressed a desire to replace the House of Lords. However, this is not a top priority at the moment. Instead, they plan to take smaller steps towards reducing its size and altering its composition. While the party does not advocate for a change in the voting system, it does support the goals outlined by the Gordon Brown commission, including decentralizing power and improving fairness and morality in Parliament.
Last year, when the Brown commission report was released, Starmer emphasized the importance of political changes, such as the elimination of the House of Lords, in restructuring the British economy. He stated, “The report’s main goal is addressing the idea that our political and economic systems are flawed and require repair.”
Source: theguardian.com
