How has political participation declined in the UK recent years?

There are several ways in which political participation has declined in the UK in recent years:

Voter turnout: Voter turnout in the UK has been declining in general elections since the 1990s. In the 2015 general election, turnout was 66.4%, the lowest since the February 1918 election. This decline has been particularly marked among young people, with only 43% of 18-24 year olds voting in 2015.

Party membership: Party membership in the UK has also declined in recent years. The Labour Party, which was once the largest political party in Europe, has seen its membership fall from over 1 million in the 1950s to around 500,000 today. The Conservative Party has also seen a decline in membership, although not as sharp as Labour.

Political engagement: Political engagement, as measured by the number of people who follow politics in the media or discuss it with friends and family, has also declined in recent years. This is particularly the case among younger people, who are less likely to be interested in politics than older generations.

Trust in politicians: Trust in politicians has also declined in recent years. A 2018 poll found that only 15% of people in the UK trust politicians to tell the truth. This decline in trust has been attributed to a number of factors, including the expenses scandal of 2009, the Iraq War, and the 2008 financial crisis.

These are just some of the ways in which political participation has declined in the UK in recent years. This decline is a worrying trend, as it suggests that people are becoming less engaged with the political process. This could lead to a number of problems, including a less representative democracy and a more polarized society.