ABSTRACT
Most people join political parties of their own accord rather than in response to obvious attempts to recruit them - and they tend to join at the national rather than the local level. They are attracted by their party’s principles and very often by its leader and because they are keen to see its policy platform implemented and to stop rival parties bringing in or continuing with policies they dislike and think are damaging. They also join because they believe it’s important that people get involved in democratic politics and because they believe they can make a difference. Friends and family and a desire to engage with like-minded people also matter, but they matter less than often thought. Nor is joining to advance one’s career (either in or outside of politics) anywhere near as common as people who aren’t members (who also, incidentally, overestimate the time-commitment involved) think it is. The fact that members tend to be male, middle class and better educated suggests that ‘resources’ make a difference too. Recent rises in membership can only be explained by a mix of intra- and inter-party dynamics that are subtly different for each of the parties affected and involve a fair degree of contingency.
