The Parties and Television: Some Antidotes to Apathy

After the 1997 campaign I drew attention to the fact that a dramatic and significant election result coincided with a turnout of just 71 per cent, the lowest turnout for 60 years. ¹ I argued that some of the reason for the apparent decline in public interest could be found in the relationship between the parties and television. Not everyone I spoke to at that time appeared to share those concerns. Yet, now that turnout has reached 59 per cent, I hope that there is general agreement that this should worry anyone with an interest in the health of democracy in the United Kingdom.