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with associated risks. Approaches to heritage are often more celebratory than investigative, and national sites may act as a focal point for an aggrandizing patriotism. Public funding can come attached to a ‘particular vision of social harmony’, or an idealized image of the past, excluding those aspects that were violent or repressive. 6 Heritage may be part of urban redevelopment with the goal of attracting tourism rather than historical fidelity, and is a form of consumption and entertainment in the present. 7 As David Lowenthal pointed out, ‘the past is a
more isolated and detached from the social fabric than in the past (Putnam, 2000 ). Changes in the character of party organisation may also have played a part. In the past, neighbourhood party organisers encouraged turnout. However, urban redevelopment swept away the cohesive and relatively homogeneous neighbourhoods in the inner-city areas, and there are far fewer party activists at precinct and county level. Others argue that the very large number of elections discourages turnout. Voters, they say, become bored