Why are ethnic minorities less likely to vote and be politically engaged?

In the United Kingdom there is evidence to suggest that ethnic minorities are  less likely to vote than the general population. Political engagement among ethnic minorities can encompass a range of activities, including voting, contacting elected officials, attending political events, and engaging in community activism. According to data from the UK’s Electoral Commission, voter turnout among ethnic minority groups was lower than the national average in the 2019 General Election.

 But why is this?

As an ethnic minority myself it is disheartening for me to learn the demographics of voter turnout. The main factors that contribute to lower turnout among ethnic minorities in the UK may include language barriers, a lack of trust in the political process, and a sense of disempowerment or alienation from mainstream political parties

This figure shows the percentage of eligible voters who had voted. As we can see it is the ethnic minorities who are seen voting less.

A number of explanations have been put forward for non-voting
– non registration : specific reasons are likely to include lack of awareness, lack of interest, apathy and also concerns about the use of the electoral register
– Lack of impact or political efficacy. For example, can the individual affect the result of the election? Is the election locally/nationally a foregone conclusion?
– Alienation (the disenchantment with the political system among specific groups and hence an absence of feelings of civic duty). Variations on this include relative deprivation explanations. Deprived and socially marginalised groups are more likely to be alienated from the political system. This could stem from the lack of emphasis in schools on the importance of voting.
– Personal or convenience issues (too busy, illness, bad weather, other problems such as, for example, foot and mouth disease). (Electoral comission,2022)

There is also a factor of ethnic minority injustice regarding political engagement.

Ethnic minority injustice in politics can take many forms, including:

1. Lack of representation: Ethnic minorities may be underrepresented in elected positions, leading to a lack of diversity and minority perspectives in policymaking.
2. Discrimination: Ethnic minorities may face discrimination in the political process, such as discriminatory voter targeting or exclusion from political parties.
3. Racial profiling: Ethnic minorities may also face racial profiling or discrimination by law enforcement or security personnel when participating in political events or protests.
4. Misrepresentation: Ethnic minorities may also be misrepresented in political discourse, with negative stereotypes or misinformation perpetuating harmful narratives and limiting opportunities for political engagement and representation. For example, in 2016, former Conservative Party Chair Baroness Warsi criticized the party for being “institutionally racist” and failing to address issues of discrimination and underrepresentation within its ranks. A 2018 report by the Runnymede Trust also found that ethnic minorities were significantly underrepresented within the Conservative Party, with only 3% of Conservative MPs coming from minority backgrounds. Although the conservative party has taken steps to address issues of representation and inclusivity within its ranks. In 2020, the party launched a new leadership program for ethnic minority members and pledged to increase the number of minority candidates running for office. However, the party continues to face criticism for its record on diversity and for instances of misrepresentation or negative stereotyping of ethnic minorities.

So what can be done to change?
Efforts to address ethnic minority injustice in politics can include implementing policies to address voter suppression, promoting diversity and inclusivity in political representation, combatting discrimination and racial profiling, and promoting greater awareness and education about the experiences of ethnic minorities in politics. It is important to recognise and address these issues in order to ensure that all citizens are able to participate in the political process fairly and equitably.

Efforts to increase political engagement among ethnic minorities may include:

1. Outreach programs: Targeted outreach efforts that focus on specific communities can be effective in encouraging political engagement. These programs can include community events, voter registration drives, and door-to-door canvassing.
2. Language support: Providing materials and support in languages other than English can help to overcome language barriers and improve accessibility for non-native speakers.
3. Political education: Providing education about the political process, including how to vote and the importance of participating in elections, can help to increase engagement and build trust in the political system.
4. Community leaders: Engaging with community leaders and building relationships with them can help to promote political engagement and increase awareness of political issues within minority communities.
5. Diversity in political representation: Increasing the representation of ethnic minorities within political parties and in elected positions can help to increase trust and build a sense of connection between minority communities and the political process.
6. Addressing structural barriers: Addressing structural barriers to political engagement, such as access to polling stations, voter ID laws, and gerrymandering, can help to promote greater participation among ethnic minorities.

Overall, efforts to increase political engagement among ethnic minorities should be multi-faceted and focused on building trust, overcoming barriers to participation, and promoting greater representation and inclusivity within the political process.

The need for more representation in politics!

The need for more representation in politics is essential to ensure that diverse perspectives and experiences are reflected in the policy-making process. This is particularly important for ethnic minorities, who have historically been underrepresented in politics and may face unique challenges and perspectives.

Having greater representation of ethnic minorities in politics can help to ensure that policies and decisions take into account the needs and perspectives of these communities. It can also help to promote greater trust and engagement between ethnic minority communities and the political process, leading to greater participation and a more democratic and inclusive society.

Moreover, representation in politics can help to challenge and dismantle systemic barriers to participation and advancement that may exist for ethnic minorities in other areas of society. By having more minority voices in positions of power, there is the potential to create greater opportunities for social and economic mobility for these communities, and to reduce the impact of discrimination and marginalization.

In short, greater representation in politics is essential for promoting diversity, inclusivity, and democracy. It is a crucial step towards ensuring that all citizens have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, and towards building a more equitable and just society. Although figure 3 shows that we are taking steps in the right direction as representation of minority ethnic groups in the political field is seeing to be increasing (Lees,2020)

Figure 3 shows number of MP’s from minority ethnic groups

Bibliography

Electoral Commission (2002). Voter Engagement Among Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.

Lees, R. (2020). Who were the first MPs from ethnic minority backgrounds? commonslibrary.parliament.uk. [online] Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/who-were-the-first-mps-from-ethnic-minority-backgrounds/.

www.runnymedetrust.org. (n.d.). The Runnymede Trust. [online] Available at: https://www.runnymedetrust.org/#latest-pubs.

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