Liverpool people ‘among the least empowered’ in UK

Dec 18 2009 by Marc Waddington, Liverpool Daily Post

NASEBY STREET in Walton

MERSEYSIDERS are among the least likely people in the UK to have control over their own lives, a major study by a leading think-tank claims.

The Power Gap report states people living in areas like Liverpool Walton and Riverside are the least likely to be able to shape their own destinies.

Reliance on state support, low education and employment opportunities, and risk of being a victim of crime were among the factors considered.

A league table of people’s power ratings in constituencies shows a major divide across Merseyside. Walton ranks 624 out of 628, while Riverside stands at 622.

But Wirral South, held by MP Ben Chapman, is the highest-ranking Merseyside seat at 88, while MP Steven Hesford’s Wirral West constituency sits at 101.

And the study, compiled by think-tank Demos, also suggests that people living in safe constituency seats are more likely to suffer “double damnation”, where citizens lack personal control as well as genuine choice at the ballot box.”

The report’s author, Daniel Leighton, said: “Instead of looking at lack of income, education, or work on their own we need to tackle them together, otherwise devolving more power to some places will fail.”

He added: “Power corrupts, but powerlessness also corrupts; it breeds alienation, apathy and depression. The next government must attack the power gap.”

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford said he was pleased that, according to the study, those living in his constituency felt more empowered than most on Merseyside.

He pointed to recent triumphs of democracy like the successful fight against library closures.