SATISFACTION with the British political system among Scots has reached a record low, with just one in seven content with the current arrangements, according to a new study.

In its 15th annual Audit of Political Engagement, the Hansard Society reported only 14 per cent of Scots were broadly satisfied – less than half the national average of 29 per cent.

The survey reported the satisfaction level north of the border was three points down in a year, but a “massive” 22 points down compared to when the study began in 2004.

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It also found the upsurge in political engagement after the Scottish independence referendum of 2014 had “not been sustained”.

In the aftermath of the No vote, it said there was a clear “referendum effect”, as certainty to vote among Scots climbed 11 points to 72 per cent – 23 points above the UK average.

Three surveys later, certainty to vote among Scots fell 10 points to 59 per cent last year – three points below the national average.

However, interest in and knowledge of politics both continued to rise slightly last year, reported by 62 and 56 per cent of people, compared to 46 and 31 per cent in 2004.

The findings were based on a survey of 1,230 people in December, 182 of them Scots.

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SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “While it's welcome news that political engagement has increased, it's not surprising public satisfaction with the British political system is low, with satisfaction among Scots at a record low.

“From the unelected House of Lords to the current power grab on devolution from Westminster as we legislate to leave the EU, the British political system is quite simply not working for Scotland.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats added: “This survey makes the case for change. People across the UK are clear that things can't stay the same.

“The case is growing stronger for a more federal system where political power is shared more widely across the UK, closer to people."

The report by the non-party education charity identified the long-term deterioration across Britain with the system of government as its most worrying finding.

It said: “Across Britain the indicator has been on a slow, generally downward trajectory, with rarely more than one-third of respondents ever saying they are satisfied with how the system of governing Britain works.

“It has been a feature of this indicator that it is subject to few of the usual demographic disparities of age, gender and social class: all groups tend to have a broadly similar view.

“In Scotland the deterioration in satisfaction across the Audit series is particularly marked.”

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It found citizens in London (41 per cent) and the South of England (37 per cent) were the most satisfied with the governing system, with Remain voters in the EU referendum now less satisfied than their Leave counterparts (32 to 28 per cent).

Perceptions were “overwhelmingly negative”, with barely more than two in 10 people feeling the system encouraged governments to take long-term decisions, let ordinary people get involved in politics, or provided Britain with a stable government.

However, the Audit also found high levels of political engagement in the wake of the Scottish and EU referendums and two general elections, with record figures on certainty to vote (62 per cent), having an interest in politics (57), and having a knowledge of politics (52).

People’s sense of being able to bring about political change if they got involved was two points up on last year to 34 per cent, but three points lower than 2004.

Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society, said: “Two referendums and two general elections in four years have acted like ‘electric shock therapy’ for the public’s engagement with politics.

“When we started the Audit in 2004 it was because we were concerned about voter turnout.

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“Certainty to vote and interest in and knowledge of politics have all improved considerably, but people remain dissatisfied with the system of governing Britain and think their own involvement in politics nationally is not likely to make much difference.

“These indicators were worryingly low in 2004 and are getting worse, not better.

“As for political parties, the public think they are just ineffective. Only a major change in the culture and practice of politics is going to turn these numbers around.”