Lonely Citizens

Article

This report points to the deep structural and cultural changes needed if we are to engage more citizens in government and the public realm. These citizens play an indispensable role in holding power to account and ensuring that public services and government are responsive to the views and values of citizens.

This report focuses on active citizenship as civic participation in politics and governance rather than volunteering or acting as a good neighbour. Its argument starts with the claim that while the UK and democracies like ours rely on expert representatives and professional civil institutions to defend the public interest, they also require active citizens.

These citizens play an indispensable role in holding power to account and ensuring that public services and government are responsive to the views and values of citizens.

Related items

  1. Young male delivery cyclist working part-time, riding through city streets with food backpack on.

    Raising the bar: Strengthening living standards while banning exploitative zero-hours contracts

    Labour’s manifesto committed to banning exploitative zero-hours contracts as part of sweeping upgrades to workers’ rights.
  2. The Bank of England is watched over by a statue of the Duke of Wellington seated on his horse

    Beyond headroom: Why we need a better fiscal framework to fix the UK’s long term problems

    There has been long-standing debate about the UK’s fiscal rules and fiscal framework.  
  3. Drax coal fired power plant in North Yorkshire, UK with coal stack and Biomass storage tanks at sunset

    Financing carbon capture, usage and storage: The case for extended producer responsibility

    The government has run out of road on funding infrastructure through energy bills.