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<\/p>\nResearch by the Poverty Alliance has found an 11 per cent gap in voter turnout between the richest and poorest constituencies.<\/p>\n
A voter placing a ballot paper in the ballot box.<\/p>\n
Campaigners say tens of thousands of low-income Scots risk being \u201cdisenfranchised by deprivation\u201d in May\u2019s Holyrood election<\/a>. Research by the Poverty<\/a> Alliance has found an 11 per cent gap in voter turnout between the richest and poorest constituencies in Scotland in an alarming \u201cdemocratic deficit\u201d.<\/p>\n The charity<\/a> is urging \u00adpoliticians to close the gap by supporting community get-out-the-vote campaigns \u2013 and delivering on policies that lift people out of poverty. One woman from a low income<\/a> background told the Sunday Mail she was \u201creally struggling to pick the best of a bad bunch\u201d in the vote on May 7.<\/p>\n Linda Craik, 60, a member of the grassroots End Poverty \u00adEdinburgh<\/a> group, said: \u201cI\u2019m one of those folk who always votes, firstly because people fought damn hard to make sure I got the vote. Secondly, because I believe if you can\u2019t be bothered to vote then you have no right to complain when the politicians mess it all up.<\/p>\n Linda Craik from Edinburgh who is scunnered with politicians<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am very disillusioned by all the \u00adpolitical parties at the mom\u00adent, and not just from the perspective of what they\u2019re doing about poverty<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The research found that in 2021 the average turnout in the 10 least deprived seats was 68 per cent. In the 10 most deprived<\/a> constituencies it was just 57 per cent \u2013 a gap of more than 60,300 voters.<\/p>\n The biggest democratic deficit found was between Glasgow<\/a> Maryhill and Springburn with a turnout of 52 per cent compared with a 76 per cent turnout in Eastwood in nearby East Renfrewshire.<\/p>\n Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: \u201cOur democracy can only work when politicians<\/a> listen and act on people\u2019s priorities. When that doesn\u2019t happen, people lose trust in the system and simply stop participating.<\/p>\n \u201cFor years people in Scotland have put issues around the cost of living<\/a> and the economy near the top of their political priorities. But lack of fundamental change has led to a democratic deficit, with people in areas of higher deprivation losing faith in the process more quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter Kelly, chief executive of the Poverty Alliance, said many Scots did not feel listened to by politicians (Image: Tony Nicoletti\/Daily Record)<\/p>\n Kelly, whose charity<\/a> boasts 450 member groups across Scotland, added: \u201cWe regularly work with people struggling on low incomes. They are often highly political, with strong views about what is needed in their communities, in our society, and in our unjust economy.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they increasingly feel disenfranchised from a political process that is failing to address deprivation, poverty, and inequality. That has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n![\"woman\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Linda-Craik-JPG.jpg\")
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