A wider franchise and debates over suffrage Flashcards
Evaluate the view that it is more important to reform the Westminster electoral system than to lower the voting age and make voting compulsory (30): VOTING AGE
- Lowering the voting age would empower many who do not have the vote to vote. This is more important because it sets up the foundation for active participation in democracy
- Research from Sheffield university found that those who were given the opportunity to vote at a young age were more likely to participate in later elections.
- 75% of 16-18 year olds voted in the Scottish independence referendum
- Making voting compulsory is more important at plugging the lack of participation.
Would mean that governments are no longer elected on meagre 35.2% of the vote, as Tony Blair was in 2005. - Compulsory voting and a lower voting age means that young people and minorities, who have historically been disengaged with politics get to vote.
Evaluate the view that it is more important to reform the Westminster electoral system than to lower the voting age and make voting compulsory (30): REFORM
1.More important to change FPTP because it is so majoritarian. Governments are elected through minority of a vote. Making voting compulsory won’t do anything to shatter the dominance of the two main parties.
2. Produces safe seats and electoral deserts, that are bad for democracy.
In many constituencies, national parties do not even bother fielding candidates because the chance of winning is so slim.
Might lead to donkey voting.
3. Keeps smaller parties out
UKIP - 3.8 million votes, one seat. 2015 - lib dems one 8 percent of the vote, but only 8 seats. Conservatives managed to win a majority of 12 on 35.9% of the vote - how is this fair?
Voting should be compulsory:
- Positive impact on turnout - in Australia before compulsory voting, turnout was around 60%. Now regularly at over 90%.
- This increases democratic legitimacy. Larger mandate.
- It encourages civic education -
They become more engaged if they are required by law to vote. - Underrepresented groups and those from low incomes can vote.
Forces government to consider the views of all. - Reduces the likelihood of an extremist party gaining ground.
They tend to flourish when turnout is low.
Voting should not be compulsory:
- Infringes on personal freedom.
Just as voting is a choice, deciding not to vote is. In Britain we have negative freedom and the government should not force people to do something unless there is a clear necessity. - Leads to uninformed voting.
Many of those forced to vote would cast an uninformed vote which does little to enhance the political process. - Might be more susceptible to soundbites and demagoguery
Might lead to ‘donkey voting’ - people listing their prefered candidates in the order they are presented to them at the ballot paper. - Difficult to administer and enforce. Often in countries where there is compulsory voting, very few fines are issued.
- Low turnout is a useful metric to determine engagement.
How did the suffragists and suffragettes work to extend the franchise?
- Suffragists under Millicent Fawcett believed in non-violent methods of persuasion, demonstrations and lobbying. Radical campaigners thought progress was too slow.
- Emmeline Pankhurst created the suffragettes, used militant tactics. Set fire to letterboxes. Attacked police officers.
- Went on hunger strike,
- In 1913, Emily Davison threw herself under the king’s horse at the Epsom Derby
How many were eligible, but incorrectly registered in 2019? (Electoral Commission)
Electoral commission found that 9 million people 17% of population, were eligible to vote but not correctly registered, limiting their ability to participate.
How was the Franchise extended in 1969?
Voting age reduced to 18.
What are the arguments for votes at 16?
- ▪ The age of 16 already allows personal autonomy – Being 16 is already an age where people are granted more autonomy. At 16 you can consent to sexual relationships, become a parent and join the military (with parental consent). Therefore, it may be considered voting is well within their capability. A 16 year old is liable for taxation if they earn about 12.5k a year.
- Voting helps with political education – helps people to engage with social issues. Recent governments have placed an emphasis on youth engagement, for instance through Cameron’s National Citizens Service.
- More young people might take part in politics. 3/4 of young people voted in the Scottish referendum. Was higher than the 18-24 age range.According to Sheffield University, those who voted in the 2014 independence referendum have continued voting in higher numbers of their peers, who only had the opportunity to vote when they turned 18.
- ▪ Allowing 16-year-olds to vote would force politicians to consider youth issues – One of the problems with not allowing 16-17 year olds to vote is that politicians do not need to actively appeal to them.
What did the 1918 representation of the people act do?
- All men over 21 and women over 30 were enfranchised.
- 75% of adult population can vote
What did the 1928 Representation of the people Act do?
Both men and women can vote at 21. Full adult suffrage.
What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 do?
- Gave the vote to middle class men
- Abolished ‘rotten boroughs’ which had either no electors or a few electors.
- Another 2% added to electoral roll. 6% of the population made eligible. Electorate increased to 650,000
- Created seats in industrial areas.
What percentage of 16-17 year olds voted in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?
75%
What was the franchise like before 1832?
- Only 4% of people were eligible. Only 400,000 men.
- Rotten boroughs with as few as ten electors.
- Property restrictions.
- Distribution of Parliamentary seats did not keep pace with population movement and economic growth.
- Industrial areas did not have proper representation.
- Plural voting allowed wealthy men, who owned property in more than one constituency.
Which groups of people are less likely to be registered to vote?
Renters, ethnic minorities, younger people, low income people
