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Public Accountability. Robert Evans December 2013. National. European. Local. Very interested 9% Fairly interested 27% Not very interested 36% Not at all 28%. Level of Political Interest in the United Kingdom. May 2013. 25%. 35%. 5%. Turn Out 25%. 24%. 11%.
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Public Accountability • Robert Evans • December 2013
National European Local
Very interested 9% Fairly interested 27% Not very interested 36% Not at all 28% Level of Political Interest in the United Kingdom
May 2013 25% 35% 5% Turn Out 25% 24% 11%
SurreyCounty Council 1.1 million people 340 schools Libraries Police Fire and Rescue Social Services Total Budget £1.7 B = $ 2.8 B
House of Commons • 650 MPs • 5 year term • £700 B spending
Accountability "The Opposition aren't really the opposition. They are only the Government in exile. The Civil Service are the opposition in residence. " 22% can name their own MP Jim Hacker MP - “yes, Prime Minister”
European Parliament 28 Countries 550 million 766 MEPs Annual Budget €120 B
91% can’t name their MEP In Dublin. Survey highlighted a dangerous disconnect between electorate as more than 90% of people could’t name a single MEP in the Dublin region. Out of 301 people only 9% could name an MEP. 1% could name all three MEPs for the Dublin region. Republic of Ireland
"Democracy is the worst form of government … … except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Winston Churchill
More frequent elections ? • Diferent electoral system ? • Recall vote ? • Compulsory voting ? • More power ? • Confidence vote ? • Better use of modern media ? • Fairer representation … more women ? • Lower pay ? • Higher pay ? How can we make politics and politiciansmore accountable ?
Public Accountability • Robert Evans • December 2013