Voter engagement in the UK: Written evidence submitted by Dr Jenny Lloyd, University of the West of England (VUK 28)

Lloyd, Jenny

Abstract

This submission defines and distinguished between the terms ‘engagement’, ‘involvement’ and ‘participation’ that are often used incorrectly, interchangeably and recognises how they sit together to create a construct that creates a potential pathway to voter participation. It identifies functional illiteracy, a lack of differentiation between political ‘brands’, negative campaigning and a lack of trust and disillusionment on the part of voters as key reasons for poor turnout at elections. On the basis of a review of the research and academic literature in the field it offers a series of recommendations based upon the need to profile and understand the informational needs of the electorate more clearly, for political parties to differentiate themselves more effectively and in a more positive way, and the need to create a governing body that more closely resembles the electorate it serves.

• Other Type: Other
• Publication Date: Mar 6, 2014
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: voter engagement, UK
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/820466
• Publisher URL: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/WrittenEvidence.svc/EvidenceHtml/6458
• Related Public URLs: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/political-and-constitutional-reform-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/voter-engagement-in-the-uk/?type=Written#pnlPublicationFilter