Interest in politics in the North Sea Region has dwindled to such an extent over recent decades that the legitimacy of our elected leaders is being brought into question. Figures show that:
- fewer people are using their right to vote;
- membership of political parties has plummeted, and
- the choice of political representatives is narrowing as fewer people put themselves forward for election.
Just remember: not so long ago, our grandfathers and grandmothers fought for their their universal suffrage for men and women.
A good example are the actions of the suffragettes outside the Houses of Parliament in London in the late 1890s and the beginning of the 20th century.
Secondly, also external threats from anti-democratic movements, such as ultra right wing organisations, might jeopardise the representative democratic system.
In the third place, the fact that many, if not all, new members of the European Union have still young, vulnerable democracies should be a theme of constant concern and attention on European level.
politicians at work at Uddevalla (S)
