Matthew Hull, Unlock Democracy

Unlock Democracy is pooling all our perspectives and experiences to make sure that our campaigns adapt to our rapidly changing social and political circumstances. That’s why we asked you our supporters to tell us a bit about your experiences of Covid-19 and how it has affected your perspectives on politics and society.

Over a thousand of you responded in just five days, and we shared our initial conclusions with you in this brief blog. Below is a special report showing our findings in more detail.

We’ll also be discussing what we learned on the next episode of Democracy in Lockdown, our new weekly podcast. Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing to get it straight to your inbox.

Covid-19 in our personal lives

The personal effects of Covid-19 - on our daily lives and routines, our family, and our friends - have been enormous.

Social isolation has emerged as a feature of the lockdown for many, especially those who live without family or face other difficulties such as disabilities or inaccessible local services. One supporter described the “increased stress and loneliness” of living life under restricted circumstances; others reflected on the inability to see family and friends, a theme that cut through for our supporters.

Others still reflected on the difficulty of getting by with their income interrupted. One respondent highlighted that as a self-employed worker their income had dried up, and that increased living costs had them relying on savings. Increased caring responsibilities emerged again and again as a feature of lockdown living, falling most heavily on those whose friends and relatives are living with disabilities.

Uniting these disparate experiences was a strong sense that those who without direct support from family are suffering more.

A recurring theme was access to public spaces and facilities. Many expressed their good fortune at having access to green spaces: “I am self-isolating, so every day is the same - but I count myself fortunate to have lots to do and plenty of space.” While lockdown has been difficult for everyone, it is clear that our experiences are hugely affected by the different environments we live in.

Covid-19 and the government response

We found that many of us feel a lack of control during lockdown. While an overwhelming majority agreed that government action had affected them directly[1], another enormous majority expressed their sense of powerlessness over their future[2].

People clearly see this powerlessness over the future - whether through lack of representation or direct input to government decision-making - as affecting different groups differently. It is felt that groups with less power or representation are being sidelined in media coverage: “little attention is given to the social care system,” said one respondent, while others highlighted the plight of domestic abuse survivors. While a majority see the overall government response in a negative light[3], it is also clearer than ever that some groups shoulder a far greater burden than others[4].

An interesting insight emerges from questions of age. It is clear that supporters see Covid-19 and a poor government response as affecting people of all ages. And yet, it is also clear government policy is felt to hurt older people more acutely[5].

Where is leadership coming from?

In the face of an unacceptable government response, people identified the most dynamic support and leadership as coming from other sectors of society. Charities, campaigners, and local communities are seen as both drivers and leaders of action in response to the social emergency[6].

While local and devolved governments are seen as outperforming national government, neither get glowing commendations from our supporters. It is clear that, so far, the strongest action in people’s eyes is coming from outside the formal political sphere.

Nevertheless, society overall is seen as an important site of leadership and support[7]. This shows that despite governmental failure, there is hope and faith in our collective ability to respond well to crisis.

Hopes and fears for the future

Our survey sought to discover your biggest hopes and fears for our democracy, and you did not disappoint.

People are worried about our democracy emerging from Covid-19 in a weaker position - demonstrating that there is widespread awareness of the dangers we face together[8]. Most of all, respondents reflected uncertainty and concern about the future: “the risk of authoritarianism and a further shift to the right”, as one summarised it. The threat of heavy and discriminatory policing and a crackdown on civil liberties loomed large in the minds of many.

Supporters were inconclusive about the results of Covid-19 for social security and workers’ institutions like trade unions[9]. And yet, once again respondents identified local communities as repositories of strength, through which we may emerge stronger[10]. Hopes for more accountable and transparent government are still very much alive, though it is clear that we cannot just expect these things to arise. What results is a hopeful view of the future, though undoubtedly complicated by serious concerns for our democracy.

Conclusions

So what conclusions can we draw as a community? These results are many and varied, and will inform what we do for months to come. For now, here are just a few suggestions based on what you’ve told me, both in this survey and online:

Leadership will come from us and our communities

People don’t see real moral and political leadership coming from Westminster, but from their community. The faith that we place in our communities, charities, and campaigns is a sign that people want more direct control over their lives, not less. As local governments and frontline services face ever more budgetary pressure, it’s time for politicians to empower these bodies and do more to assist communities directly.

There are real concerns about the ability of charities and campaigns to make this leadership count

Despite the relatively high levels of trust people place in them, people aren’t optimistic about charities’ and campaigns’ abilities to emerge from this in a strong position and defend the communities they serve. They need to recognise this, and do more together to defend the social progress we have made - and ensure that we all hold the government accountable.

There are clear dangers for democracy - but reasons to hope too

People are concerned about the state of our democracy, and emerging threats to our civil liberties. Speaking to us, people connect these emerging threats with longstanding features of our undemocratic political system. But crucially, people also see this as a time when we can unite around our shared values and demand a system that truly serves us, the people. The growing movement of mutual aid groups, from fully fledged community initiatives to neighbourhood support groups, show that communities are rallying where government is coming up short. People are recognising this. We must fight for a political system that harnesses and empowers their democratic energies, rather than stifling them.

No-one is healthy and safe until everyone is healthy and safe

People we speak to are aware of the dangers we all face, and aware that these dangers are greatest for the least fortunate. As a community we’ve seen that we all value justice and equality, and that these values are more important to us than ever before. 

We’re listening to people all across the UK, sharing experiences and building a unique perspective on the future of democracy after the Covid-19 crisis. We’re only able to do this because those of you can, contribute small amounts. Can you chip in to support our work?

Footnotes

1. When asked “Have government actions or policy affected you and your loved ones directly during the crisis?”, 83% of respondents answered “yes”.

2. When asked “Has the Covid-19 crisis made you feel more or less in control of your future?”, 72% of responded with “less”. Only 4% responded “more”.

3. When asked “Which of these words do you think best describes government policy on Covid-19 overall?”, 76% answered that it was inadequate, very bad or terrible.

4. The greatest disparity is felt to be by wealth. Government policy on Covid-19 towards people with more wealth was felt to be good (83% answered adequate, very good, or excellent). Towards people with less wealth, it was felt to be much worse (88% answered inadequate, very bad, or terrible.

5. Similar proportions of respondents saw policy towards older and younger people in a negative light (71% and 68% respectively). But 25% identified the effects towards older people as “terrible”, while only 15% did so for younger people.

6. The responses of Local Communities, Charities, and Campaigners to Covid-19 were seen positively (either Very Good or Excellent) by 68%, 53%, and 47% of respondents respectively.

7. Society’s overall response to Covid-19 was seen positively (either Very Good or Excellent) by 73% of respondents.

8. 55% of respondents said that they believed our democracy would emerge from the Covid-19 crisis “weaker” or “much weaker” than before.

9. 55% of respondents suggested that trade unions would emerge from the crisis in “the same” position as before. 20% apiece suggested that they would emerge stronger or weaker.

10. 63% of respondents suggested local communities would emerge from the crisis “stronger” or “much stronger”. Only 13% said that they would be “weaker”.