Is the UK in a democratic deficit?
Agree Disagree
- Some argue that the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system used in UK general - Citizens have the opportunity to engage in political processes through voting, joining
elections does not provide proportional representation and can result in a discrepancy political parties, and participating in civic activities. The existence of a multi-party system
between votes received and seats won by political parties. This can lead to an unequal allows for a range of political choices and ideological diversity.
and unrepresentative distribution of power. E.g. Between 2015-16, Corbyn increased the number of Lab party members by 500,000.
E.g. In 2019, Con won 365 seats, despite only 43.6% of the vote.
In 2015, UKIP won 12.6% of the vote but one seat. - The devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland has increased
regional decision-making and brought government closer to local communities,
potentially enhancing democratic representation.
- There are concerns about the underrepresentation of certain groups in politics, such as E.g. Scottish Independence Referendum – 85% turnout.
women, ethnic minorities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Critics 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections – 63% turnout.
argue that this lack of diversity undermines the democratic legitimacy and
responsiveness of the political system.
E.g. In 2021, only 34% of MPs were women and HoL remains unelected.
In 2019, 50% of elected MPs were over 50.
Do parties carry put their functions effectively?
Agree Disagree
- They formulate policy platforms and agendas that can reflect the concerns and - Critics argue that party discipline can stifle individual voices and limit the ability of MPs
aspirations of their constituents. Political parties in the UK contribute to the functioning to vote according to their constituents' wishes or personal beliefs. Centralized decision-
of the legislative process. They play a vital role in shaping legislation, proposing making processes within parties can undermine internal democracy and limit
amendments, and scrutinizing government actions through parliamentary debates and opportunities for broader citizen participation.
committee work. E.g. Liverpool Walton has voted Labour since 1964.
- Some argue that political parties can be influenced by powerful interest groups,
- Political parties play a crucial role in representing the interests and values of their corporations, or wealthy donors, which may compromise their ability to represent the
members and supporters. Parties serve as important vehicles for mobilizing citizens, broader public interest effectively.
raising awareness, and encouraging political participation. They often engage in E.g. In 2021, Lord Cruddas donated 500k to the Con days after receiving a honours.
grassroots organizing, campaigning, and fundraising, which can help facilitate democratic
processes and citizen engagement. - Critics contend that the selection of party candidates and party leadership positions can
E.g. Con reflected its voters hard stance on Brexit in the 2019 election. be undemocratic and controlled by a small group of party elites. This can limit diversity
and hinder the representation of marginalized groups within parties.
E.g. Only 1% of the public are political party members.
How may some parties be more successful than others?
Agree Disagree
- The First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system used in the UK can provide an equal - Parties with access to greater financial resources may have an advantage over smaller
opportunity for all parties to compete. Each party can field candidates in constituencies parties. Funding can be used for campaign activities, advertising, and organizing events,
and the party that receives the highest number of votes in each constituency wins, which can increase a party's visibility and appeal to voters. Parties with limited financial
regardless of their size or resources. In this sense, the system offers an equal chance to resources may struggle to compete effectively.
all parties to win seats. E.g. In 2022, Lab received over £7.2 mil in donations, whereas Lib Dems only received
E.g. In 2019, Con won 365 seats (Clear majority). £1.4 mil.
- The UK guarantees the freedom of political association, allowing individuals to form - Larger and more established parties often receive more media coverage, which can
and join political parties of their choice. This ensures that parties can emerge and influence public perception and voter preferences. Smaller parties or new entrants may
compete on a level playing field, and the success of a party depends on its ability to face challenges in gaining media attention, making it harder for them to reach a wider
attract supporters and engage with voters. audience and gain electoral support.
E.g. In 2019, 56% of 18-24 year olds voter Lab compared to 14% of 70+ (Free tuition fees E.g. In 2019, Con brought 2,500 facebook ads.
appeal)
- Some argue that the lack of proportional representation in the UK electoral system
creates barriers for smaller parties to gain representation. Without reaching a certain
threshold of votes or winning in specific constituencies, smaller parties may struggle to
secure seats in the legislature, limiting their chances of success.
E.g. In 2015, the Green Party won 1 million votes but only one seat.
Are pressure groups effective?
Agree Disagree
- Pressure groups can play a significant role in shaping public policy by influencing - Pressure groups with greater financial resources, well-established networks, and
decision-makers and policymakers. They bring attention to specific issues, provide professional lobbying capabilities may have an advantage in influencing policymakers.
expertise and research, and engage in advocacy campaigns to promote their agendas. Smaller or less resourced groups may struggle to compete effectively or gain the
Successful pressure groups can drive policy changes and influence legislation. attention of decision-makers. Many pressure groups, especially smaller or less-
, They often possess specialized knowledge and expertise in specific policy areas. They established ones, may face resource constraints. Lack of funding, staff, or organizational
conduct research, gather data, and provide evidence-based arguments to support their capacity can hinder their effectiveness and limit their ability to sustain long-term
causes. Their expertise can be influential in policy debates and decision-making campaigns or compete with well-funded opponents.
processes. E.g. In 2022, Lab received over £7.2 mil in donations compared to the Green Party who
E.g. Junior doctors in Scotland have been offered a 14.5% pay rise in May 2023 after a got £172,000.
series of strikes held by trade unions.
- Critics argue that pressure groups may not always represent the broader public interest
or adequately reflect the diversity of views within society. Some groups may have a
- Pressure groups often represent the interests of specific sections of society or narrow focus and represent the interests of a specific subset of society, potentially
marginalized groups that may not have strong representation in formal political leaving out other perspectives. Certain pressure groups may be influenced or dominated
institutions. They give a voice to these groups, raise awareness about their concerns, and by powerful interest groups, corporations, or wealthy donors. This can lead to a
advocate for their rights and needs. They have the ability to mobilize public support and concentration of influence and potentially undermine the democratic legitimacy of their
raise awareness about particular issues. Through grassroots organizing, public advocacy efforts.
demonstrations, media campaigns, and social media engagement, they can capture
public attention, generate public debate, and influence public opinion. - Pressure groups operate outside formal democratic structures, and their influence may
E.g. In 2017, Liberty supported John Walker in a SC case whereby a loophole was found in not always be subject to democratic accountability. Critics argue that their actions may
the Equality Act 2010 that excluded same sex spouses from spousal pension benefits – not reflect the broader public interest or be subject to the same level of scrutiny and
Was overturned. transparency as elected representatives.
E..g only 1% of the public are the political party members.
Are referendums good for the UK democracy?
Agree Disagree
- Referendums provide a way for citizens to directly participate in decision-making - Referendums often simplify complex policy questions into binary choices, which may
processes. They offer an opportunity for the electorate to express their views on not adequately capture the intricacies and nuances of the issues at hand. This can result
significant issues and directly influence policy outcomes, enhancing the democratic in voters making decisions based on incomplete or misleading information, potentially
legitimacy of the decision. They allow a broader segment of the population to be involved leading to unintended consequences.
in decision-making beyond elected representatives. They provide an avenue for the E.g. AV referendum – Didn’t give choice of preferential system.
voices of marginalized groups or those with limited representation in the political system
to be heard and taken into account. - Referendums can be susceptible to manipulation and the dissemination of misleading or
false information. Campaigns may employ tactics that distort facts, creating confusion
- Referendums can stimulate public debate and increase political engagement. They among voters and undermining the integrity of the process.
encourage citizens to educate themselves about the issues at stake, fostering informed E.g. Both Remain and Leave lead misleading campaigns on Brexit, with R saying
discussions and deliberation. This can contribute to a more informed electorate and a households were £4,300 worse off and L saying we give £350 mil to the EU each week.
more active and participatory democracy.
E.g. High turnout at both SI Referendum (85%) and Brexit Referendum (72.7%) - Referendums may give disproportionate power to the majority opinion, potentially
marginalizing minority groups or compromising the protection of individual rights and
- Referendums provide an opportunity for governments to seek the consent of the people liberties. The rights of minority populations could be disregarded or ignored if decisions
on significant policy matters. By allowing citizens to directly approve or reject specific are solely based on the will of the majority.
proposals, referendums ensure that decisions align with public sentiment and E.g. Brexit referendum – 52% Leave 42% Remain.
preferences, enhancing democratic accountability.
E.g. Scottish Independence Referendum – 55% Remain 45% Leave with 85% turnout.
Is proportional representation better for the UK?
Agree Disagree
- Proportional representation aims to ensure that the distribution of seats in the - Critics argue that PR can result in fragmented parliaments with multiple parties, making
legislature reflects the proportion of votes received by each political party. This can result it difficult to form stable and decisive governments. They suggest that the UK's first-past-
in a more accurate representation of the diverse political views within society, allowing the-post (FPTP) system, which tends to produce majority governments, provides clarity
for a broader range of voices to be heard. and a stronger mandate for governing.
E.g. In 2017, UKIP failed to win any seats in the S.P, W.A, or L.A, but managed to win 7 E.g. Con won 365 seats in 2019.
top-up seats in W.A and 2 in L.A.
- Some argue that PR systems dilute the direct accountability between constituents and
- PR systems often allow voters to choose from a wider range of political parties and their elected representatives, as MPs are often selected from party lists rather than
candidates, providing more options beyond the traditional two-party dominance. This can individual constituencies. This may diminish the personal connection and responsibility
promote greater voter satisfaction, as individuals have the opportunity to vote for parties between elected representatives and their constituents.
that closely align with their beliefs and values.
- PR systems can give smaller parties more influence and bargaining power, potentially
leading to policy concessions to smaller groups with more extreme or fringe views. Critics
- PR frequently leads to coalition governments or minority governments that require argue that this can result in policy instability and policy outcomes that do not reflect the
parties to negotiate and compromise to form stable governing alliances. This can preferences of the majority of voters.
encourage collaborative decision-making and a more inclusive approach to policymaking.
E.g. In 2016 NI Assembly election, the DUP and Sinn Fein won 38 and 28 seats, working - Proportional representation can lead to more complicated decision-making processes,
together as a coalition. as diverse parties may have competing priorities and difficulty finding common ground.
Critics contend that this could result in gridlock and slower policy implementation.
E.g. The NI Assembly has been suspended twice from 2002-07 and 2017-20.
Is the media or other factors such as age, class and gender more influential in determining voter behaviour?
Media Other factors
- The media has the power to influence the public agenda by highlighting certain issues Age - Different age groups often have distinct political attitudes and preferences
and shaping the importance and salience of different topics. Media coverage can shape influenced by generational experiences, societal values, and priorities. Younger and older
public perceptions and priorities, influencing voter behaviour accordingly. The way the voters may have varying levels of political engagement, issue priorities, and ideological
media frames political events, candidates, and policies can shape public attitudes and leanings, leading to differences in voter behaviour.
opinions. Media framing can influence how voters perceive and interpret political E.g. In 2019, 56% of 18-24 year olds voter Lab compared to 14% of 70+ (Free tuition fees
information, potentially affecting their voting choices. appeal)
E.g. In 2019, BJ refused to take part in a debate on climate change, so they replaced him In 2019, 57% of 60-69 yr olds voted Conservative.
with an ice sculpture.
