Researchers found that participation in political organisations has become an increasingly middle class pursuit: but there has been no decline in the overall number of people belonging to voluntary associations in general.
Source: Kathryn Ray, Mark Tomlinson, Brian Longhurst, Mike Savage, Gindo Tampubolon and Alan Warde, Social Capital and Social Networks: The careers of political activists, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
According to a review of recent research studies, better representation of black people in politics would be more likely to encourage people from black and minority ethnic communities to vote than changes to the voting system.
Source: Kingsley Purdam and Ed Fieldhouse, Voter Engagement among Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Summary (pdf) | Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A study recommended that further pilots of all-postal voting should be undertaken at the local elections in May 2003.
Source: Modernising Elections: A Strategic Evaluation of the 2002 Electoral Pilot Schemes, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Aug
A government report on young people and democracy said young people felt that politicians should listen to them, and hear about the issues that affected them on a daily basis.
Source: Young People and Politics: A Report on the YVote?/YNot? Project, Children and Young Persons Unit/Department for Education and Skills (020 7273 4906)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (Word file)
Date: 2002-Jul
The government published a consultation document on ways of using electronic communications to increase democratic participation.
Source: In the Service of Democracy, Office of the e-Envoy/Cabinet Office (020 7276 3208)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A report warned of the alarming impact of youth voter disengagement on the future health of democracy in the United Kingdom.
Source: Voter Engagement and Young People, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A report examined data on low election turnout among black and minority ethnic communities, and the reasons some groups seem disengaged from the political process.
Source: Kingsley Purdam et al., Voter Engagement among Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 10.3
Date: 2002-Jul
A report said the 'chaotic internet' fails young people in their search for civic and political information.
Source: S. Coleman, Digital Jury - The Final Verdict, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459) and Broadcasting Standards Commission
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 10.2)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study found that poor literacy and numeracy were linked to alienation from politics.
Source: Samantha Parsons and John Bynner, Basic Skills and Political and Community Participation: Findings from a study of adults born in 1958 and 1970, Basic Skills Agency (0870 600 2400)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A report examined the feasibility of electronic voting.
Source: L. Pratchett, et al., The Implementation of Electronic Voting in the United Kingdom, Local Government Association (020 8867 3287), Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA), Solace, Office of the e-Envoy, and Electoral Commission
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-May
Postal voting pilots for local authority elections produced a large increase in turnout.
Source: Press release 3.5.02, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (020 7944 3000)
Links: Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119 (paragraph 10.3)
Date: 2002-May