The Youth Citizenship Commission and Political Engagement: Agendas; Proposals, Impact; Legacy
Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool [email protected]
‘Young People and Politics: Is there a problem?’ panel Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Cardiff, 25-27 March 2013 The Youth Citizenship Commission
The Governance of Britain Green Paper published July 2007:
highlighted need for Government to engage young people and encourage them to play an active part in society
recommended establishment of Youth Citizenship Commission
Youth Citizenship Commission (YCC) established February 2008
In addition to Chair, 12 Commissioners appointed
YCC reported to the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Justice, and Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in spring 2009
YCC Terms of Reference
Youth Citizenship Commission examined:
what citizenship means to young people
how to increase young people’s participation in politics; the development of citizenship amongst disadvantaged groups; how active citizenship can be promoted through volunteering and community engagement; and how the political system can reflect the communication preferences of young people
and led a consultation with young people on whether the voting age should be lowered to 16
A crowded field?
Electoral Commission
Ajegbo Report
Russell Commission
Yvote/Ynot project
Goldsmith Commission Mind the Gap: Voting rates in general elections 1997-2005
Voting rates for 1997, 2001 and 2005 Parliamentary Elections
80 70 60 50 18-24 40 Overall average 30 20 Voting(%) rate 10 0 1997 2001 2005 Election Election Election Year The Participation ‘Problem’
Participation facts: voter turnout for 18-24 year olds is 20% lower than overall turnout
only 23% of 18-24 year olds would be “absolutely certain” to vote, compared with 53% of people overall
only 3% of 18-24 year olds have presented their views to a local councillor or MP in the last 5 years (compared with an overall average of 15%)
reflects a general decline in the percentage of the population who feel they are able to influence decision makers.
evidence shows that non-voting is habit-forming: those who don’t vote when they are young are less likely to vote when they are older Growing pressure for votes at 16?
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Plaid Cymru Various pressure groups making up the Votes at 16 Coalition including Electoral Reform Society, Children’s Rights Alliance, Who wants votes at 16? YCC survey evidence Voting 11-13 14-15 16-18 19-21 22-25 TOTAL should be allowed at 16 Agree 48 49 53 41 43 46 Disagree 38 38 40 48 53 43
N 1,114 The ‘evidence’ for lowering the voting age
Grounded in dubious human hights assertions
Based on erroneous assertions re ages of responsibility
No consideration of risks re turnout or issues of political knowledge Explanations of diminishing turnout amongst the young
Structural
Contingent
Supply
Demand
Knowledge Key recommendations on voting
Electoral registration in schools
Westminster to consider whether the age of franchise for devolved and local elections in Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland should be a matter for the devolved legislatures
Age thresholds for different legal responsibilities should be subject to holistic review
Spheres of interaction
Individual I Family & Friends I Community I Formal Political World
Key themes of the final main report
• Empowering citizenship
• Connecting with young people
• Changing the way decision-makers and institutions work
Key recommendations of the YCC main report
Improved delivery of citizenship education – growing body of evidence indicates its value
Public bodies to establish youth advisory and scrutiny panels
Parliament to fund UKYP
Civic service
Equality impact assessments to be extended to young people
BinaryDemography Logit Logistic Regression forAttitudes Likelihood of voting Citizenship education
B SE B SE B SE
Constant 1.84 0.53 2.66 0.63 2.39 0.64
Male -0.24 0.19 -0.23 0.20 -0.22 0.20
Age (22-25)
14-15 -1.91** 0.33 -2.02*** 0.41 -2.15*** 0.42
16-18 -0.94** 0.24 -1.00*** 0.30 -1.13** 0.30
19-21 -0.31 0.27 -0.30 0.28 -0.33 0.28
Social class (D/E)
A/B 0.64* 0.32 0.63** 0.33 0.59* 0.33
C1 0.75** 0.28 0.67* 0.29 0.65* 0.29
C2 0.21 0.29 0.26 0.30 0.23 0.29
Ethnicity (white) -0.88* 0.47 -0.94* 0.47 -0.89 0.47
Working (yes) -0.08 0.26 0.01 0.26
Prospect of -0.48* 0.20 -0.46* 0.20 decent job (no)
Volunteered (no) -0.20 0.26 -0.46* 0.26
Citizenship 0.48* 0.23 education (yes)
Conclusions
Votes at 16 issue tended to dominate the Commission – clear case in favour not truly made
Youth voter non-registration even bigger issue than V16?
Structures of youth participation in politics tend to be weak (UKYP-excepted) and need bolstering
Retention of citizenship education welcome – clear case that has had beneficial effect
Audit of responses to various Commission reports is needed