Features of the UK democracy Positives of UK Democracy Negatives of UK Democracy
Referenda – public vote on single issue but challenges rep. Demo. Gov derives legitimacy from consent of London-based media, lobbyists, pressure
o Scottish Independence 2014, EU 2016, AV 2011 ppl groups (Westminster bubble)
E-petitions – if >100k signatures, will be considered for debate but not always acted upon (public not always informed) Free media – uphold law and protect MPs have conflicts of interest
o Meningitis B vaccine for all kids and 2nd EU referendum freedoms
Consultative exercises – gov assesses likely reaction to policies by engaging with public (not always binding) Devolved govs – closer to locals FPTP doesn’t represent minorities
o Communities affected by HS2 and Heathrow Free and fair elections Social makeup of Parliament is mainly
Open primaries – parties select candidates thru public’s decisions, direct influence over candidates, divided opinion white, middle-class and male
o MP Sarah Wollaston as Tory MP Independent judiciary for law and order Lords is unelected and unaccountable
Party leadership elections – all main parties vote on leader accountable to whole party (too much influence to activists) and protect freedoms
o 2016 – Corbyn lost confidence vote amongst LAB MPs but re-elected in party-wide OMOV ballot w/ 62% Wide range of parties and pressure Elections Act 2022 means voter ID
support groups required in elections (3.5m don’t have
o LAB candidates need support from 20% of MPs to enter leadership contest BUT CON need just 15% of MPs photo ID- 76% white people have driving
Recall of MPs Act 2015 – constituents can force by-election if MP imprisoned or suspended and 10% sign a petition license but just 53% black ppl)
Election Turnouts
Direct Democracy
1945-1997 – average turnout was 76% (much lower now)
Individuals make own opinions (no reps) --> active in decision- 2001 – low due to hapathy BUT risen since (except 2019)
making UK Democracy & Lower in 2nd order elections: devolution and councils
o Local elections in Eng 2016 – 33.8% as less important
No distinction between gov and citizens
A – equal weighted votes, popular participation, no need for Participation
o Lower by-election turnouts as not gov
High turnouts in 1964, 1974, 1982 and 1992
reps Higher than US but lower than De and Netherlands
D – impractical in large modern states, some don’t feel qualified 2022 Tiverton and Honiton by-election – after Neil Parish MP’s
to vote, manipulation by demagogues, minority viewpoints resignation – 52% turnout
ignored
Party Membership
Representative Democracy Only 1.6% belongs to major Other reasons for a healthy UK democracy
party (3.8% in 1983)
Citizens elect reps in free and fair elections where all have the Smaller party memberships Pressure group membership on the rise
right to vote make up 24.8% o Direct action and consumerist society w/
Politicians made accountable in regular elections (voters =
Party membership: 430k LAB, individual options
sovereign and renew mandate)
200k CON, 119k SNP, 98k LD, 53k E-democracy growing due to social media
MPs weigh up constituency, party manifesto and best judgement
A – practical in large modern states, politicians (parties), pressure Green o E-petitions, debates and online campaigns
groups, pluralism, reduces ‘tyranny of the majority’, held to Events such as referenda
account
o Indyref 2014 (84.6% turnout), EU 2016
D – less participation, parties have own agenda, politicians likely
to follow views of majority, 5 years between elections, corruption, (72.2%), 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal
incompetence, betray promises, not loyal
