Somerset bucks political apathy

People living in part of Somerset are the most likely to vote in elections the UK, a BBC report has found.

A survey commissioned by the BBC, called Changing UK, also found political apathy was at its highest level since World War II.

In the last general election 39.1% of voters did not participate in the North West, compared with 31.4% who did not in the West.

The Somerton and Frome constituency had the highest voter turnout.

It does show people are political beings but that they don't always do this via the ballot box Virginia Gibbons, Hansard

The seat is held by David Heath for the Liberal Democrats.

In the 2005 general election he held on to his seat with 23,759 votes, a majority of 812, ahead of Conservative Clive Allen who polled 22,947.

The Hansard Society is an independent, non-partisan political research and education charity in the UK which campaigns to encourage greater public involvement in politics.

'Internet blog'

Its spokeswoman Virginia Gibbons agreed political apathy was on the increase.

"We've never been a really politically active country. Back in the 50s people felt there was a 'they know best' attitude and that decisions were best made by 'more educated people' .

"Now there are plenty of other things for people to do to influence others - for example blogging their opinions on the internet.

"But people will turn out and protest in their hundreds when there is an issue close to their hearts, for example plans for a lap dancing club close to their homes.

"It does show people are political beings but that they don't always do this via the ballot box."

The University of Sheffield survey, commissioned by the BBC, looked the number of active voters within BBC regional TV and local radio station transmission areas.

Researchers looked at statistics from general elections dating back to 1945.