Inequalities and political engagement:
Inequalities, yes they do exist in politics too. Although considering the fact that political engagement requires a fair representation of the British population, why would these inequalities exists? Aren’t we all asking the same question. First lets label the inequalities that are recognised between politics and the engagement from British citizens. Inequalities can be identified in age, race, gender and social class. Nonetheless, it is a necessity for change to be implemented, in the way politics handles the representation of these inequalities. Otherwise the future environment can possibly be more hostile and less influenced by political engagement. Especially when individuals who do face the repercussions of their inequalities (when trying to engage politics) grow tired of the constant stigma, misrepresentation, under reporting and unfair treatment. These factors of effect from inequalities is exactly what will be explored down below, in this blog.
So let’s begin.
In the growing years, youth and political engagement has allowed the opportunity, for the younger generation to be more aware and inclusive about politics. Thus providing more avenues for change and progress, in our society and the environment we grow up in. This can be identified through the recent 2017 general election, especially through the labour party and Jeremy Corbyn in particularly targeting the youth. At the same time, young people below the age of 18, are not provided with an option to actually vote. This has resulted in two main outcomes. One being that young people are less inclined to be engaging in politics, which affects how they can perceive politics as they their reach adult years (18 and above). Then the second outcome is the results of voting, when there is a larger majority of the older generations who do not and can not fully represent younger people. Considering the fact that over 1.5million of 16 and 17 are denied voting (2016), they deserve the opportunity to be be heard.How is this fair? It’s not and there are numerous discussions and debates, in regards to lowering the voting age.
Social class also falls under the category of inequalities, due to the increase in polarisation between the class division groups. This polarisation can influence the voting decisions for the individuals from depending on the social class backgrounds, that has an effect on how they perceive politics and how much of their perception on society is heard. The Conservative party gain voters from a majority of a higher class/ middle class background. Compared to Labour party voters who gain their majority from the working class. However this has been recently challenged, due to the 2017 general elections.
Appendix a
This table indicates the results from the 2017 general election, based from an individual’s social class background. Although political parties have policies that favour more social class backgrounds, compared to others, this table highlights the general public’s perceptions. In regards to politics and participation, the social inequalities in class highlights the polarisation between higher and lower class political participation and engagement; “higher income groups and the better educated participate more actively in democratic politics” (Armingeon.K,2015). Is there a stigma behind politics favouring the upper class, since politics is dominated by upper class employers anyway? Members of parliament have a responsibility to represent each constituency in England. At the same time, how are all members of society represented fairly, if the social class background is also a factor that contributes to MPs representation.
Another factor of inequality can be highlighted in race. Yes it is 2018 and we are still discussing racial inequalities, that can be resolved simply through the lack of ignorance and more understanding of ethnic minorities, living in the Uk. Instead there are ignorant mindsets that are actively engaging in politics, who ignore the inequalities that ethnic minorities that have occured. An example of this can be identified through the recent scandal created by our very own Prime minister Theresa May. May ignorantly created the windrush scandal, threatening those who were apart of the windrush generation with deportation from the uk. Not only was this disturbing to acknowledge, it opened up an avenue where racial discrimination can still be explored in politics. This scandal must of been incredibly disappointing for the ethnic minorities who make up 8% of the house of commons and 6% of member of the house of Lords (Audickas.L; Apostolova.V, 2017)
Appendix B
In fact Labour MP shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, expresses that Conservative Home Secretary MP Amber Rudd should resign. Diane Abbott ethnic background is Jamaican descent and relates to the frustration towards Theresa May on the Windrush scandal (Abbot.D, 2018)
How is this equality or equity? Well as indicated above, there is still a reason to fight for justice for class representation, Ethnic minorities and youth votes. Despite positive change happening political engagement has proven, that there is still more room for exploring avenues that have already gained progress.
Bibliography :
Abbot.D (2018) ‘Diane Abbott: the national scandal of the Windrush generation shows the sort of Home Secretary Theresa May was’, i news the essential daily briefing , 18th April, p. .
Armingeon.K (2015) ‘Social Inequality in Political Participation: The Dark Sides of Individualisation’, West european politics, 38(1), pp. 1-27 [Online]. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01402382.2014.929341 (Accessed: 23/03/18 ).
Audickas.L; Apostolova.V (2017) Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Public life, Available at: https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament/ (Accessed: 01/04/18 ).
Curtis.C (2017) ‘The demographics dividing Britain’, You Gov uk, 25th April, appendix a
Votes at 16 (2016) We want our political system to recognise the abilities of 16 year olds, Available at: http://www.votesat16.org/about/ (Accessed:01/04/18 ).