Press Release

Politicians and academics will meet in London later this month to discuss how identity influences political participation and the ramifications this has on the future of politics in the UK.

The event – Identity, Political Engagement and Civic Activism in 21^st Century UK – has been organised by the ESRC Identities Programme (which is being co-ordinated by The Open University) and the Hansard Society and will take place on 23 June.

“On the day we will explore which types of identity have a particularly strong effect on political ties, interest and participation, and consider how this has changed in the UK since the Second World War,” says Event Chair Margaret Wetherell of The Open University.

The discussion will consider whether political participation has declined or whether it has merely taken on different forms in response to changing senses of identity brought on by declining class-consciousness and a more multicultural society.

Once the past and the present have been discussed, delegates will look towards the future.

“We will concentrate on issues such as whether the decline in party identification is something that should be combated or something that should be seen as the inevitable consequence of a changing society. Moreover, should the different forms of political participation generated by different and more recent types of identities be considered the future for political participation in the UK, and be welcomed? Or should these forms of participation be studied for clues as to how more traditional institutions might engage with the public,” says Prof Wetherell.

These issues will come to light in the form of three seminars.

·         Changing Identities - addresses what the significant types of identity are in the UK and how they have changed over time. The theory that there has been a decline in class based identity will be addressed as will the rise of issue-based identity.

Seminar speakers are Prof Anthony Heath (University of Oxford), Dr Tim Strangleman (London Metropolitan University), Prof Diane Reay (London Metropolitan University) and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (The Independent).

·          What motivates civic and political participation - looks first at classic theory which suggests that in the past social class was a strong determinant of political interest, party identification and hence political participation. Comparatively, recent studies suggest this is no longer the case and that ‘valence issues’ are the strongest influence on political participation. Other recent research suggests that new forms of identity rooted in religion, the environment and locality are the greatest motivators of participation.

The changing nature of political and civic participation will be addressed, including the decline in party membership and voter turnout.

Speakers are Prof Paul Whiteley (Essex University), Dr Jane Wills (Queen Mary, University of London), Pam Giddy (POWER Inquiry) and Prof Russell Spears (Cardiff University).

·         A more inclusive citizenship: the road ahead - will look to the future and examine how civic and political society must respond to the challenge of changing identity. Participants will consider how new forms of identity can be harnessed to increase public participation in communal and civic activities, and in political life, in order to create more active British citizens. They will also consider whether the existing structures, such as political parties, need to modify the way they operate in the face of these new identities and whether new organisations need to be introduced.

Speakers are: David Goodhart (Prospect Magazine) &  Prof Richard Jenkins (University of Sheffield)