[foreverwar]

Originally Posted by freezin

The link shows the sharp fall started before Blair. All parties are responsible for not inspiring enough voters to turnout.

Originally Posted by foreverwar

If you don't count the inconvenient fact that the number of voters in the 87 and 92 election were greater than in the 83 election.

From 51 - 97 the highs/lows were 81% - 71%, going up or down 4 or 5 percent each time - after 97 it plummeted from 71% to 59%, then up to 61%; still way below the previous low of 71%.

Originally Posted by freezin

How does that mean that Blair is responsible for the huge drop in voter turnout?

I didn't say that - I was responding to your post re "the sharp fall started before Blair"; the stats show that the rise/fall was fairly steady (within a 10% margin) for just under 50 years, and in fact the percentage had risen in the previous two general elections to 97.

Now, some people might state as an opinion that the figures plummeted to an all time low after Blair was elected, but I try not simplify cause and effect in complex situations.