Britain Damns Itself on Voter Competence

Britain spent Tuesday quietly savaging its own political literacy. By a margin approaching three to one the country decided that the normal voter actually understands the realities of politics? No. The public’s verdict on the public was damning, and it only hardened with age.

The verdicts

Younger voters were the lone sceptics on Will Farage win the Clacton by-election?, yet the chamber still backed him by a comfortable margin. On After Nigel Farage’s press conference would you say he’s gone from his job or has he stayed? the country split almost down the middle, deciding by the narrowest of margins that the Clacton resignation was theatre, not departure.

Britain wants teeth. Should politicians be held legally accountable for failing to fulfill specific, costed campaign promises? produced a two-to-one yes, though women backed criminalising broken pledges almost unanimously while men were closer to a coin toss. The country also gave strong support to a Hillsborough Law via the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, with the 55-64s voting as a single bloc.

Cars remain king: Are cars practical for most journeys in the UK? passed with the forties and fifties almost unanimous, offsetting younger doubters. On transport Britain also told HS2 to copy Japan’s Shinkansen and hit 320 km/h, with enthusiasm falling neatly in step with age.

Should free childcare be extended to parents on benefits? went down two to one, the youngest in favour, the middle-aged dead against. Should the government launch its 10-year NHS reform plan to integrate health and social care passed almost three in four, generations unusually united. English devolution and two rival planning reforms produced knife-edge results that masked sharp generational fractures beneath.

Voting continues tomorrow.

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