Power to the people through 'real power and true elections'? The power report and revitalising British democracy

In common with many western democracies, the UK seems to face a crisis in public political participation. Turnout has fallen dramatically, particularly in recent general elections, faith in the political system is stretched and citizens feel they are not consulted nor their views taken seriously by the government. The search is on for a way out of the potential crisis. A recent major report by the Rowntree-funded Power Commission offers a diagnosis of the problem of political participation in modern Britain and suggests a strategy to remedy it. In this paper, we critically assess some of the Commission's major analyses and recommendations.