Other forms of Political Participation

There are many ways to participate in in the democratic political system other than voting in elections

Becoming a member of a political party

Wearing a badge at election time or putting up a poster

Seeking election to the Westminster Parliament/Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish devolved bodies or to a local council

Membership of a pressure group

Attending a meeting, distributing leaflets, canvassing on doorsteps, writing to your elected representatives (or ministers, or councillors or a newspaper)

Participating in an opinion poll or focus group

Taking direct action (sit in protest, anti war march, scribbiling or graffiti-ing political slogans, going on strike, chaining yourself to railings, damaging property or rioting against the government)

Political violence, ranging from kidnapping a individual, detonating bombs or hijacking a plane

Orthodox forms of participation have declined in recent years. Figures for electoral turnout, party membership and doorstep canvassing are all down These are signs of public disengagement from the traditional democratic process