The government has been warned that increasing disparities in voter turnout across different demographics has revealed a “blind spot” in the government’s approach to polling regulation.
The analysis, conducted by the UK think tank ‘Institute for Public Policy Research’ (IPPR), reveals that the disparity in turnout between graduates and non-graduates was 11%, twice the size it was in 2019, while the difference between homeowners and renters rose to 19%.
While other factors, including age, income, and ethnicity stayed relatively steady, inequalities remain in these areas, particularly between age groups, with the disparity between 18-24 year olds and over-60s being 21%.
Their findings reveal that only 60% of 18-19 year olds are registered to vote, compared to 98% of those over 65.
The think tank propose a number of solutions to the issue of low turnout rates, especially among youth, including: lowering the age limit of voting to 16 with automatic electoral registration from this age and therefore reducing the barrier to entry for young voters, scrapping or widening the requirements for photo ID at polling stations, and creating a public holiday for polling day, or moving it to a weekend.
Dr Ryan Swift, an IPPR research fellow, said: “The widening turnout gaps between renters and homeowners, and graduates and nongraduates, highlight a glaring blind spot in tackling political inequality.
“To rebuild trust and strengthen democracy, we need bold reforms like votes at 16, automatic registration, and fairer electoral rules.”
The IPPR argue that to combat populism and misinformation voting must be made easier and more worthwhile, and the culture of democratic and civic duty must be cultivated and strengthened.
They also suggest a cap of £100,000 on political donations following the donation of close to £50 million to the two main parties, the Conservatives (£39 million) and Labour (£11 million) in the 2024 election.
They also cite recent reports that US billionaire Elon Musk is prepared to donate £79 million to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Dr Parth Patel, IPPR associate director of democracy and politics, said: “We are close to the tipping point at which elections begin to lose legitimacy because the majority do not take part.
“That should be ringing more alarm bells than it is. We all know that elections aren’t perfect, but they are the only opportunity we get to express a desired future for ourselves and our country as a whole.
“So many people today feel alienated from organised politics. The government may overlook nonvoters, but populists don’t. Government can and should look to bring people back into democracy. Capping big money donations, automatically registering voters and creating a new civic duty to staff polling stations will help get voters back.”
Harry Quilter-Pinner, IPPR interim executive director, also shares this view, saying that the increasing role of political donations from the ultra-wealthy “undermines trust in democracy and makes people feel their vote doesn’t count”.
The IPPR warns that “unless ministers actively work to make democracy more inclusive, populist movements will continue to gain traction”, even if traditionally important factors in determining voter turnout and allegiance, like the economy, are doing well.
They continue: “As long as progressives interpret populism thinly as a symptom only of economic and cultural grievances, they will be fighting with one eye closed. It is also a symptom of political grievances. If the cause is political, so too must be the remedy.”
