Turnout 60%

[purpletigron]

Can anyone point me to recent research on the demographics of UK non-voters?

Edit This Labour Government has the lowest percentage vote ever. In partial answer to my own question:

Non-voters and the 2001 election The reasons given in 2001 by non-voters interviewed by MORI on behalf of the Hansard Society and the Electoral Commission included:

• Positive decision - "I made up my mind not to vote"
• No difference - "Whoever you vote for, the politicians get in"
• No alternative - the current Government is the best of a bad bunch
• Lack of knowledge - young voters in particular
• Irrelevance of the campaign - politicians only try to engage at election time
• Adversarial politicians - too little co-operation on shared good ideas
• Media coverage - stage-managed squabbling
• Remote politicians - not representative

Reasons which were not given by non-voters included:

• 'Boring' election campaign
• 'Foregone' outcome
• First-past-the-post voting system
• Apathy

MORI asked what ... would encourage higher turnout in elections:

• More relevant policies
• Clearer policies
• Constituency/local focus


• Better communication
• Greater difference between the parties
• Better party leaders


• Delivery of promises
• Greater honesty
• Improving access by making it easier to vote

Much food for thought!