Engagement and participation: What the public want and how our politicians need to respond

Abstract

Following the parliamentary expenses scandal, an array of parliamentary and constitutional reforms has been proposed as a means to re-establish public trust and confidence in MPs and Parliament. Populist measures designed to enhance public engagement and participation through more direct and participatory decision-making mechanisms have particularly gained traction in this debate. But many of these proposals fail to take account of what the public really wants in terms of engagement and participation. A more nuanced policy approach, which takes account of the complexity of public views, is required. Utilising the Hansard Society's annual Audit of Political Engagement this article analyses these complexities and suggests that two reforms in particular - enhanced political literacy education and a new House of Commons Petitions (Public Engagement) Committee - would make a difference in developing and sustaining public engagement and participation in the long-term.