Political party membership in terminal decline?

[davieG]

BBC Full Report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12934148

Political party membership appears to be in terminal decline in the UK - so can anything be done to reverse the trend? And does it matter?

It was once a source of cultural identity and pride for millions of British people.

But at just over 1% of the population - low by European standards - party membership is fast becoming a minority pursuit.

There are more members of the Caravan Club, or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, than of all Britain's political parties put together.

[lavrentis]

Caravan Club

[Rincewind]

This is where community groups like Citizens Eye come in. By getting people involved in their community it forces the MP's to come out of the woodwork get off their backsides and actually do something. They take no notice of the national newspapers cos they own them.

No, people are just disalusioned with the lot of them. There are not really any pure left and right-winged parties anymore. This is how the extreme parties get their followers. Voice of the people? Only when the others are silent.

[accessory]

BBC Full Report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12934148

Political party membership appears to be in terminal decline in the UK - so can anything be done to reverse the trend? And does it matter?

It was once a source of cultural identity and pride for millions of British people.

But at just over 1% of the population - low by European standards - party membership is fast becoming a minority pursuit.

There are more members of the Caravan Club, or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, than of all Britain's political parties put together.

No great surprise in this revelation. In the UK, politics has become the preserve of careerists, cliques, and crooks. You only have to look at Leicestershire (county and city) to see that.

[Webbo]

Tbf it's extremely unfashionable to believe in anything these days. How many of us would proudly admit to be a member of any party (I'm not and never have been btw)?

It's not like ordinary members have any say in anything, candidates and policies are decided at head office. Members are just expected to raise funds and push leaflets and keep their opinions to themselves.

[SemperEadem]

Tbf it's extremely unfashionable to believe in anything these days. How many of us would proudly admit to be a member of any party (I'm not and never have been btw)?

It's not like ordinary members have any say in anything, candidates and policies are decided at head office. Members are just expected to raise funds and push leaflets and keep their opinions to themselves.

I will buck the trend and say im 19 and a proud Labour Party member, the student movement in especially at university seems to still be quite strong and healthy.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

I was most certainly considering joining the youth wing of the Liberal Democrats before the coalition was formed, a few "difficult decisions in government" later and it didn't seem worth nailing my colours to the mast that strongly. With the three main Westminster parties all edging towards middle ground now, people don't seem to know exactly where their loyalties truly lie any more. I would probably only join now if there was to be a leadership election.

[I am Rod Hull]

http://www.loonyparty.com/get-involved/join-the-offical-loony-party/

[Dr The Singh]

I may join politics, being from the indian sub continent ancestry and being in british politics has it perks, most of the indian sub continent UK MP's are bribed and sponsored by the Indian Government at many levels!!!

[Guest MattP]

Shows a country that has become disinterested in politics, I still think that was the aim from 20 years ago. Drip feed things like Big Brother to people and we end up with people who have been so dumbed down its only shit like that and X-factor that matter to them. That then leaves the political lot to engage in what they want in. You only have to look at the audiences of Question Time now to what it was 20 years ago......

I'd like to see politics being taught in school as a subject again from the age of 14.

I used to be a member of the Conservatives but left when they stopped being Conservatives. Possible I'll end up joining UKIP if we are still being crippled by the EU in 3-4 years .

[Dr The Singh]

Shows a country that has become disinterested in politics, I still think that was the aim from 20 years ago. Drip feed things like Big Brother to people and we end up with people who have been so dumbed down its only shit like that and X-factor that matter to them. That then leaves the political lot to engage in what they want in. You only have to look at the audiences of Question Time now to what it was 20 years ago......

I'd like to see politics being taught in school as a subject again from the age of 14.

I used to be a member of the Conservatives but left when they stopped being Conservatives. Possible I'll end up joining UKIP if we are still being crippled by the EU in 3-4 years .

BNP budd, that's the level of political knowledge within society today!!! ANd to the lesser extent the EDL, who fight for the rights of the english and are not racist.....seriously not racist!!!!

[FoxyPV]

I'd like to see politics being taught in school as a subject again from the age of 14.

It's too young as they are much more open to indoctrination by a good teacher. That's why it's not taught before A level.

[The Doctor]

It's too young as they are much more open to indoctrination by a good teacher. That's why it's not taught before A level.

Problem there being that not every-one does A-levels.

I wouldn't say 14 would be too young to start teaching some level of politics, by that age a fair amount of the pupils would be mature enough to think for themselves - introduce as part of citizenship or PSE or whatever people call it but maybe supervise the teaching of it with apathetic personnel to moderate the teachers and stop them from forcing their political beliefs on pupils.

[purpleronnie]

Tbf it's extremely unfashionable to believe in anything these days. How many of us would proudly admit to be a member of any party (I'm not and never have been btw)?

It's not like ordinary members have any say in anything, candidates and policies are decided at head office. Members are just expected to raise funds and push leaflets and keep their opinions to themselves.

yep, very sad, plus there seems little difference between any of the mjor parties, back in the 80's it was so much different.

[21st Century Fox]

I did an A-Level in Government and Politics and it does seem rather difficult for teachers and lecturers to stay 100% neutral throughout the enitire course, you generally pick up on their politcial leanings but you're old enough to sort the wheat from the chaff and make your own reasoned decisions.

I agree that it should be taught earlier in school but on a very basic level where the bare bones of how government is run etc are explained and then encourage younger kids to read into it further themselves and build enough of their own "un-influenced" knowledge to make their own decisions.

[davieG]

Shows a country that has become disinterested in politics, I still think that was the aim from 20 years ago. Drip feed things like Big Brother to people and we end up with people who have been so dumbed down its only shit like that and X-factor that matter to them. That then leaves the political lot to engage in what they want in. You only have to look at the audiences of Question Time now to what it was 20 years ago......

I'd like to see politics being taught in school as a subject again from the age of 14.

I used to be a member of the Conservatives but left when they stopped being Conservatives. Possible I'll end up joining UKIP if we are still being crippled by the EU in 3-4 years .

I think I have a fair degree of political knowledge and what the different parties stand/stood for but I've never felt that any of them could get my whole hearted support as I find I agree with policies from all the various parties. I don't feel dumbed down and hate all those programme and their ilk that you mention.

What I have found as I've got older is my respect for politicians has plummeted that maybe because they can't get away with stuff like they used to, newspapers will now print anything they choose and they are very selective depending on the inbuilt bias.

Local politics is probably worse and is totally messed up by party politics at the expense of what is actually good for places.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

This is where community groups like Citizens Eye come in. By getting people involved in their community it forces the MP's to come out of the woodwork get off their backsides and actually do something. They take no notice of the national newspapers cos they own them.

No, people are just disalusioned with the lot of them. There are not really any pure left and right-winged parties anymore. This is how the extreme parties get their followers. Voice of the people? Only when the others are silent.

Well said.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

No great surprise in this revelation. In the UK, politics has become the preserve of careerists, cliques, and crooks. You only have to look at Leicestershire (county and city) to see that.

A little cynical, but it does have a small element of truth about it.

[Zingari]

Caravan Club

that'll be us gippos

[davieG]

This is what is wrong with Party Politics, you can't be true to your own principles and the high up you get the harder it becomes. I just don't get it why belong to an organisation that forces you to support and vote for things you don't believe in?

Merc

A city councillor could be censured by Labour Party colleagues after backing the restoration of the death penalty.

Earlier this month Barbara Potter, together with colleague Sundip Meghani, said she supported calls to bring back capital punishment.

At the time, Coun Potter said: "Bring it on. Give these murderers the option of the noose, the electric chair or lethal injection."

But party officials said they were concerned that she commented on the controversial issue because she is the group whip of the city's Labour group of councillors. A whip's role is to make sure that councillors vote in a particular way and ensure party discipline.

Backing the death penalty, which goes against the Labour Party's stance, was seen to conflict with this.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and group chair Patrick Kitterick have both declined to comment on the internal party matter.

But a party insider said: "It's a pretty extreme viewpoint which goes against Labour party values.

"Sundip has accepted that it was perhaps unwise to get involved. He's a newly-elected councillor and there's a lot to learn. However, Barbara holds a key position within the Labour group and discussions are continuing about what action could be taken.

"It all depends on the mood of Labour councillors and how they feel about the comments."

Coun Potter's comments were flagged up by Labour Party officials as something they were unhappy with.

She has already met with them once, on Wednesday evening, and a decision on her future is likely to be taken at the next Labour group meeting on September 5.

A range of options are open, from a warning to being removed as group whip.

The matter could even be referred to the Labour Party's national organisation if they decide a suspension is justified.

Coun Potter, who represents Hamilton, disputes that she was wrong to comment, pointing out that she spoke to the Mercury in her role as a councillor, rather than the group's chief whip. She also says that it is an issue which councillors should be free to discuss.

"It's a matter of conscience. It's about what punishment you believe is right or wrong when someone takes someone else's life," said Coun Potter.

"I believe I, along with any other councillor, should be able to express a viewpoint on that."

Sir Peter has said he is strongly against the death penalty, which was abolished in 1965 under Harold Wilson's Labour government.

A YouGov poll in September 2010 found 51 per cent of respondents supported the death penalty for murder, and 37 per cent opposed it.

[Zingari]

I agree with you davie , it does seem to forbid any freedom of thought , but I suppose every political party or organisation has key core principals that it's members need to adhere to .

That said I'm not sure how the death penalty , either for or against , fits into a position of being a core principal of any political party , I see it more of a moral issue that should be discussed without any political leanings or the need to tow any party lines .

In this case I tend towards your assertion of the higher up you go , the more you fall into line

[Rincewind]

It's a sensitive and controversal subject. She would have known the party stance on it. She could have used her skilss in politics by answering the question without giving an answer.

When I did a English course at night school (GCSE I think) I did a project on the Craig/Bentley case from the fifties. There were so many discrepencies and blunders in the case it was unbelievable. From memory.

1 Bentley (the one hanged) had a mental age far below his actual age.

2 The location where it happened was badly lit yet an eye witness said they saw things clearly without the use of their glasses. This fact was not brought to the attention of the court by the defending counsoul.

3 The time span from the arrest to the trial was just 3 months. Bentley was hanged a short time after.

4 An appeal was turned down on the day before the execution by an MP despite them agreeing there was a good case for one. They said that the hanging would be an example to others.

5 The jury was not questioned as to their vies before the trial.

6 The government was going through a rough time and wanted to show they were being tough with offenders.

Craig the one who actually shot the policeman was too young to be hung. I believe he was 16 at the time. He had a fascination with guns and idolised his big brother who was a local villian, His brother had recently been sent to prison for armed robbery. This turned Craig against the police and went out that night looking for revenge. He offered Bentley a gun but Bentley refusedto take it. He followed Craig as a dog follows his master.

Lessons would have been learned from the case but it always sticks in my mind as to how mistakes can be made.

[davieG]

I agree with you davie , it does seem to forbid any freedom of thought , but I suppose every political party or organisation has key core principals that it's members need to adhere to .

That said I'm not sure how the death penalty , either for or against , fits into a position of being a core principal of any political party , I see it more of a moral issue that should be discussed without any political leanings or the need to tow any party lines .

In this case I tend towards your assertion of the higher up you go , the more you fall into line

It encourages dishonesty, if these MPs have constituents coming to them asking questions and/or looking for support on an issue that the MP also believes in but because of Party Policy they will end up either lying to the constituent or purposely avoiding the issue.

If they are to maintain integrity they should just have a concise/shortish list of principles anything else should be a free voice/vote. Then they could produce policies to implement those key principles and we'd know exactly where they stood instead of hiding behind double talk and a manifesto that you'd need a week to read through and possible understand and that most people never see relying on biased media interpretations.

Anyway off to Forest.

[davieG]

It's a sensitive and controversal subject. She would have known the party stance on it. She could have used her skilss in politics by answering the question without giving an answer.

When I did a English course at night school (GCSE I think) I did a project on the Craig/Bentley case from the fifties. There were so many discrepencies and blunders in the case it was unbelievable. From memory.

1 Bentley (the one hanged) had a mental age far below his actual age.

2 The location where it happened was badly lit yet an eye witness said they saw things clearly without the use of their glasses. This fact was not brought to the attention of the court by the defending counsoul.

3 The time span from the arrest to the trial was just 3 months. Bentley was hanged a short time after.

4 An appeal was turned down on the day before the execution by an MP despite them agreeing there was a good case for one. They said that the hanging would be an example to others.

5 The jury was not questioned as to their vies before the trial.

6 The government was going through a rough time and wanted to show they were being tough with offenders.

Craig the one who actually shot the policeman was too young to be hung. I believe he was 16 at the time. He had a fascination with guns and idolised his big brother who was a local villian, His brother had recently been sent to prison for armed robbery. This turned Craig against the police and went out that night looking for revenge. He offered Bentley a gun but Bentley refusedto take it. He followed Craig as a dog follows his master.

Lessons would have been learned from the case but it always sticks in my mind as to how mistakes can be made.

Put simply lying

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Are the parties surprised? If you want people to join or support anything you need to a bit of advertising etc to entice. I couldn't tell you anything about what was involved in joining a political party or what that would entail because it's never crossed my eyes, despite my general fondness for debate and politics.

They should be a lot more creative, hold hustings in public areas, MPs could be a lot more visible and maybe, just maybe, they could get more people interested?