Does Participatory Budgeting have an Effect on the Quality of Public Services? The Case of Peru’s Water and Sanitation Sector

Abstract

Chapter 3 employs data from monthly Essex Continuous Monitoring Surveys to examine voters’ reactions to major issues, such as the economy, immigration, health and EU membership. The chapter also examines assessments of party leaders and evaluations of party performance. Analyses indicate that Prime Minister Cameron and the Conservatives did well on the economy but judgments on the NHS and immigration were less favourable. There is also evidence of widespread dissatisfaction about economic inequality, social justice and corporate greed. Labour was unable to profit from voters’ discontents because its ‘brand’ was badly tarnished, and many people did not believe that the party or its leader, Ed Miliband, could deliver on key issues