County's voters 'most motivated'

Experts say prosperous areas tend to have higher voter turnout

Voters in the Gloucestershire area have remained among the most politically-active in the UK despite growing disengagement, a new survey suggests.

The Changing UK study, carried out by a team at Sheffield University for the BBC, looked at changes in UK society over the past 40 years.

The report said political apathy was higher than at any time since WWII.

In the last three elections, 31.4% of Gloucestershire voters abstained compared to 39.1% in the North West.

Researchers used data from general elections dating back to the 1960s to work out the areas with the highest and lowest numbers of active voters within BBC regional TV and radio station areas.

Political experts say there is a link between political apathy and social deprivation.

David Fidgeon, who has helped run the last four Liberal Democrat general election campaigns in Cheltenham, said: "It is unsurprising, therefore, that Gloucestershire, as a relatively prosperous and highly-educated county, should score highly in terms of voter turnout.

"The aggregate figure, however, does mask significant differences within the county.

While 34% of residents are considered wealthy versus 21% 'breadline poor' this is nothing to celebrate James Derounian, University of Gloucestershire

"In this year's local elections in Cheltenham, for example, turnout in leafy Leckhampton was 53%, yet just 24% in Hesters Way, where there is a large number of families and pensioners struggling to make ends meets.

"There will also tend to be a lower turnout in areas where a high proportion of the electorate does not have a long-term stake in their community, such as students or flat-dwellers with short-term leases.

"Although Gloucestershire does have areas dominated by these groups, such as St Paul's in Cheltenham where turnout was just 15% in May, they are not significant in the county as whole."

The prosperity of the county is also reflected in the figures.

Since 1970, about a third of the population has been considered "asset wealthy".

James Derounian, principal lecturer in community development and local governance at the University of Gloucestershire, said: "While 34% of residents are considered wealthy versus 21% 'breadline poor' this is nothing to celebrate.

"One in five county residents are at the margins of poverty.

"Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds are seen as attractive places to bring up family, to retire to and boast a smattering of celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson, Kate Moss, Joanna Trollope and others.

"This makes it a magnet for the 'haves', and tends to mask the plight of the 'have nots'."