UK Politics Essay Plans, Democracy and
Participation
KEY POINTS
Evaluate how effectively rights are protected in the UK/ Evaluate the view that human rights are well
protected in the United Kingdom (word what writing differently) - ANS Judicial Review, Civil Liberties,
Awareness of civil liberties
EXAMPLES
Evaluate how effectively rights are protected in the UK/ Evaluate the view that human rights are well
protected in the United Kingdom (word what writing differently) - ANS P1: Judicial Review, yes effective
- citizens challenge decisions made by public body, if public body contravenes, courts can award
declaration of incompatibility, parliament can change law in response to courts decision, UK, 47
signatories to ECHR, compliance with issues of ECHR
However
- JR under attack in media, judges treading on parliaments toes, courts have too much power, 31st July
2020, panel to see if need to reform judicial review, Tory pledges in 2019, update HRA, proper balance
between rights, national security, effective government, ECHR binds hands of parliament, can put
country in danger
P2: Civil Liberties yes
- joint committee on human rights, peers + MPs scrutinize gov. bills for HR compatibility, March 2020,
inquiry into Covid response, Mersey care NHS, Equality and human right commission, equality and
human rights ideals and laws in england e.g. 2020 Labour antisemitism
However
- culture of respect, more lip service, patchy records at upholding rights, 2016, Investigatory powers act,
liberty challenged act, gov unlawfully obtained data from comms companies, operational safeguards
weren't in place, coronavirus act 2020, criticism from Liberty, British institute of of HR, didn't think of
diabled people, carerers, those in mental hospitals
, P3: Awareness of civil liberties, yes
- Howard league, liberty, campaign against weaking of HRA, devolved govs. don't want changes in HRA,
Hilsborough, Article 2, Coroners original inquest didn't meet requirement for an effective investigation,
2016, 16 people ruled to have been unlawfully killed
However
- criticisms increase from from media, politicians, Abu Qatada decision, undermining trust in legal
system, individual rights elevated to same level as absolute, difficult to keep people safe, can't deport
criminals, EC+HR judges don't understand UK H.R. tra
KEY POINTS
Evaluate the view that the largest pressure groups in the UK are the most powerful. - ANS Yes size ->
More access to public opinion
However
No Size -> still need public support
Yes Size -> More membership = more money
However
No size-> wealth less important nowadays
Yes Size -> Large membership, organize political campaigns and protests
However
No Size -> Lack of insider status, small highly specialised have more influence
EXAMPLES
Evaluate the view that the largest pressure groups in the UK are the most powerful. - ANS P1: Size
powerful, public support
NSPCC, 'flaw in law' 2014, gov made sending sexual messages to children and young people criminal
offence, BMA, large 80% of members doctors, have access to opinion with public support
