A new YouGov poll has revealed that a significant lack of trust in politics is the primary reason many Britons will abstain from voting in the upcoming General Election on July 4th.
According to the poll, 78% of British adults do not trust MPs to tell the truth, with over half (52%) of those who won’t vote citing this distrust as their main reason.
The poll, conducted for the Trust and Citizens report by the Sortition Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation delivering citizens assemblies globally, has been published today to coincide with the launch of the 858 campaign to replace the House of Lords with a rolling citizens’ assembly, dubbed the House of Citizens.
Key findings from the poll include:
- Low Trust in MPs: A staggering 78% of respondents expressed a lack of trust in MPs.
- Support for Citizens’ Assemblies: Nearly 60% of British adults would trust members of a citizens’ assembly to make policy decisions in their best interests, compared to just 12% who trust MPs.
- Reforming the House of Lords: 24% of those polled prefer replacing the House of Lords with a citizens’ assembly, surpassing other options such as an elected chamber (18%), complete abolition (14%), removing hereditary peers (11%), and replacing it with regional representatives (5%).
James Robertson, Director of the Sortition Foundation, commented on the findings: “Rock-bottom trust levels will deter people from voting in the next election. The good news is that British people trust each other nearly five times more than their MPs to make decisions in their best interests. Citizens’ assemblies are a key way we can restore trust in our political system.”
Robertson highlighted the disconnect between politicians’ promises and their actions once in office. He argued that a House of Citizens, selected through a process akin to jury duty, would hold politicians accountable and ensure they deliver on their promises to the electorate.
The Trust and Citizens report reveals a growing appetite for significant reform within the British political system, particularly in how the House of Lords operates. The poll’s findings suggest that many Britons are looking for alternative structures that better represent their interests and restore their faith in governance.
As the debate over political reform continues, the Sortition Foundation’s proposal for a House of Citizens presents a compelling case for a more trustworthy and accountable political system.
