Types of participation

Traditional forms of political participation include the following:

•  Voting in a range of elections including national, local, regional and referendums

•  Membership of a political party, attending meetings and actively campaigning

•  Standing as a candidate in elections

•  Joining a pressure group

•  Writing letters to MPs and councillors

•  Going on a march

•  Going on strike

Recent developments in political participation include the following:

• Signing e-petitions 

•  Following, retweeting and liking political posts on social media such as Twitter (X) and Facebook

•  Organising and participating in protests such as those associated with Black Lives Matter via social media

•  Boycotting certain goods and businesses out of political and moral principle