Audit of Political Engagement

The Audit series provides a statistical context to everyday speculation about the state of political engagement. In doing so, the Audits indicate the degree to which attitudes and behaviour change year-on-year and allows a fuller picture of participation and interest in politics. The Audits present the findings from public opinion polling on a range of political engagement indicators, updating trends published annually since 2004.

The Audit considers six core indicators of political engagement:

• Knowledge and interest: (1) the percentage of people who feel that they know about politics; and (2) the percentage who report an interest in politics.
• Action and participation: (3) the percentage of people who report they are absolutely certain to vote at an immediate general election; and (4) the percentage who are politically active.
• Efficacy and satisfaction: (5) the percentage of people who believe that getting involved works; and (6) the percentage who think that the present system of governing works well.

It also examines the public's reported levels of discussion of politics, charitable and political donation, and contacting of elected representatives.

Download past Audits here:

Audit of Political Engagement 7 (2010) with a focus on MPs and Parliament

Audit of Political Engagement 6 (2009) with a focus on Political Participation and Citizenship

Audit of Political Engagement 5 (2008) with a special focus on the Constitution

Audit of Political Engagement 4 (2007)

Audit of Political Engagement 3 (2006)

Audit of Political Engagement 2 (2005)

Audit of Political Engagement (2004)

The next Audit of Political Engagement will be published by the Hansard Society in early 2010. The first four Audits were published jointly by the Hansard Society and the Electoral Commission. Subsequent Audits are published solely by the Hansard Society, and funded by the Ministry of Justice and the House of Commons.

The raw data for the Audits is available in SPSS format from the UK Data Archive.

For more information about the Audit of Political Engagement series, email Matt Korris.