Chapter 1 Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Burke’s thoughts on representative democracy

Answer 1

‘your representative owes you, not in his industry only, but his judgement.’ - Representative democracy carried out by professional politicians who are likely to be well informed by political issues

Question 2

Example for MP-public schism

Answer 2

In 2016, 74% of MPs in favour of remaining, 52% of public voted to leave.

2020 IPSOS Mori poll saw only 5% of Conservatives believe that there is a different rule set for the rich while 73% agreed.

2020 Only 21% of Conservative MPs support the death penalty while 50% of public do

Question 3

Example for lack of representation in 2019 parliament

Answer 3

1. 34% MPs women despite 51% of population.
2. 29% privately educated despite 7% of population.
3. 10% ethnic minority with it being 15% in the UK
4. only 14% with no higher education despite 66% of population

Question 4

Referenda examples

Answer 4

1. 1975 EC referendum first of its kind 67.23% yes 32.77% no 64.64% turnout.
2. 1997 Scottish referendum - For Scottish Parliament 74.3% yes 25.7% no, Tax powers 63.5% yes 36.5% no 60.18% turnout
3. 1997 Welsh referendum - For Welsh parliament 50.3% yes 49.7% no turnout 50.22%
4. 1998 GLA referendum - 72% yes 28% no 35.63% turnout
5. 2004 North East Assembly 22% yes 78% no 48% turnout
6. 2011 Wales referendum - for the assembly to make acts rather than provisions 63.5% yes 36.5% no 35.6% turnout
7. 2011 AV referendum 32% yes 68% no 42.2% turnout
8. 2014 Scottish ref 45% yes 55% no 84 turnout
9. 2016 EU ref 48% remain 52% leave 72.2% turnout

Question 5

Referenda advantages

Answer 5

1. Direct choice settles controversial issues

e.g. devolution to Wales 1998 + 2011 ref, 2004 North East Assembly, 2011 AV ref

2. Greater legitimacy than MP decision

e.g. referendum with high turnout

3. Simple yes/no

Question 6

Referenda disadvantages

Answer 6

1. Ongoing debate over Scottish independence suggests does not resolve contention. - June 2022 Sturgeon announced new referendum on Oct 2023 SC ruled against on Nov 2023
2. Require detailed understanding of an MP question of a soft or hard northern Ireland border. Jun 2022 Johnson’s Northern Ireland Protocol was denounced by the Irish government
3. Subject to misinformation - Turkey will join the EU and millions will flock to the UK’, IPSOS Mori published a poll in June 2016 50% of people thought that £350mn would go to the NHS

Question 7

E-petition examples

Answer 7

2021 legal requirement to search guests on entry to night club.

In 2020, Marcus Rashford’s #EndChildFoodPoverty gained 1.1mn signatures and persuaded a commitment by the government.

51,966 in total since inception

199 have been debated since its inception

e petitions last 6 months

petition to revoke Sir Tony Blair’s knighthood was rejected because they are bestowed by the monarch.

For example, e petition to legalise marijuana 2015 reached 235,000 but Home Office said no

For example, demanding Article 50 should be revoked reached 6.1 mn signatures in 2019.

Question 8

E-petition advantages

Answer 8

Alternate form of democracy - 51,966 in total

Allows new ideas and legislation - 199 have been debated since its inception

Low cost and time expense - e petitions last 6 months

Question 9

E-petition disadvantages

Answer 9

E-petitions raise false expectations and consume parliamentary time.

Undemocratic

Possibly unsafe

Question 10

Recall of MPs Act 2015 examples

Answer 10

1. 2019, Fiona Onasanya sentenced to three-month jail term for perverting justice. 25% of registered voters demanded recall.
2. 2019, Chris Davies was convicted of making fraudulent expenses claims. 19% of registered voters signed recall.
3. Margret Ferrier 2023 30 day suspension 15% SNP
4. 2023, Peter Bone sexual misconduct. 13% of registered voters signed a recall.

Question 11

Recall of MPs 2015 advantages

Answer 11

Power of recall makes MPs more accountable to constituents.

Question 12

Recall of MPs Act 2015 disadvantages

Answer 12

The circumstances in which it can be activated (criminal offence) is so extreme that its’ impact has been negligible.

Question 13

Advantages of Direct Democracy

Answer 13

1. Yes no is simple to understand
2. A greater use of direct democracy ensures representative are informed of public attitudes.
3. Allows them to become more politically educated.
4. Represents the majority and settles debate

Question 14

Disadvantages of Direct Democracy

Answer 14

1. Yes/no is too simple for the often much more complex issues that are raised. Jun 2022 Johnson’s Northern Ireland Protocol was denounced by the Irish government
2. Direct democracy challenges Burkean principle that representatives should act according to their conscience. For example, Theresa May who supported Remain in 2016 led a government committed to withdrawing.
3. Encourages people to vote on issues that the public are not informed on. ‘Turkey will join the EU and millions will flock to the UK’, IPSOS Mori published a poll in June 2016 50% of people thought that £350mn would go to the NHS
4. Direct democracy does not balance conflicting interests or protect the rights of minorities.

Question 15

Public trust in MPs examples

Answer 15

1. 2021, Owen Patterson resigned after Standards committee suspended him for 30 days due to ‘egregious case of pay advocacy’.
2. 2021, YouGov poll saw 1% of people say there was no corruption in UK politics.
3. IPSOS veracity index 2023 saw 9% trust for MPs
4. Nadim Zahawi 2023 £4.8mn tax penalty

Question 16

Voter turnout examples

Answer 16

1. Turnout from 1964 to 1997 was 74.5%
2. Turnout was 59.4% in 2001
3. 68.7% in 2017
4. Average from 2005 to 2019 was 65.7% which is 8.8% less than previous average.

2019 turnout 67.3%

Question 17

Voter turnout demographic examples

Answer 17

1. 68% A/B voters voted in 2019 but only 53% of D/E voters
2. 3/5 lowest turnout constituencies were in Kingston upon Hull, where 45% of neighbourhoods are within the most deprived 10%
3. 2024 local election constituencies such as Tilbury saw a decreased turnout from 21% to 19%

Question 18

Voter turnout devolved parliaments examples

Answer 18

1. Scottish Parliament 2021 - 63.5%
2. Welsh Parliament 2021 - 46.5%
3. Mayoral London - 42.2% in 2024 it reduced to 41%
4. 2024 Liverpool city region 24%
5. 2024 local election constituencies such as Tilbury saw a decreased turnout from 21% to 19%

Question 19

Memberships of political parties examples

Answer 19

Decline in membership due to partisan dealignment

1. Conservative party 2.8mn to 200,000
2. Labour Party 1mn to 430,000
3. Lib dem - 98,000
4. SNP - 119,000
5. Despite no official member structure Reform UK over 100,000
6. 53,000 Green Party

Question 20

Democratic reform - People’s referenda

Answer 20

Currently referenda are called by the government. This means public are only asked to vote when government wants them to.

In Ireland, any constitutional change has to be endorsed by the public in a referendum. Same-sex marriage (2015) and abortion (2018)

However, can provide democratic overload. 2000 to 2022 Ireland has had 19 referenda the average turnout has been 48.4%.

Question 21

Democratic reform - Epetitions

Answer 21

E-petitions are a form of direct democracy. This keeps public engaged with representatives and debate is more squarely focused on issues important to the public.

Question 22

Democratic reform - House of Lords

Answer 22

HoL is unelected and unaccountable - Johnson 2019-2022 appointed 86 new life peers, 51% Conservative.

Appointments included Peter Cruddas a major Tory donor, Harry Mount author of The Wit and Wisdom of Boris Johnson. Charlotte Owen

However, could create rivalry to the House of Commons and create a constitutional gridlock. Furthermore, turnout is already low so this would not necessarily improve democracy

Question 22

Democratic reform - digital democracy

Answer 22

Helps facilitate voting and encourages use of electronic political discussion which would lead to greater political engagement and higher turnout.

However, possibility for voter manipulation as it is no longer carried out in secret.

Interference by other powers.

Can encourage short populist sloganeering rather than informed political discussion.

Question 23

Democratic reform - voting systems

Answer 23

FPTP discourages voting because it limits voter choice by over-rewarding Labour and Conservatives as it is unlikely that a party has a concentrated voter base.

Replacement of FPTP with a proportional form of election would create a fairer connection. Caroline Lucas claims 2015 under PR would have had 25 Green MPs

However, 2011 AV ref was rejected by 67.9% of voters.

Welsh and Scottish parliaments have AMS however voter turnouts are equally low

Question 23

Compulsory voting pros

Answer 23

1. Voting is a civic responsibility. If citizens are not required to fulfil the duties of citizenship, then the engagement democracy relies upon may be lost.
2. Political apathy is an issue 67.3% in 2019. Limited number of voting undermines legitimacy especially if turnout falls beneath 50%
3. Those not voting are often from the poorest groups in society. D/E turnout was 53% in 2019. Compulsory voting allows a larger spectrum of political opinion.

Question 24

Compulsory voting cons

Answer 24

1. Public has the right to choose as they are afforded freedom of expression. It is up to the politicians to mobilise the electorate.
2. The votes of disengaged citizens will carry less weight than those who take their responsibility seriously. Random voting undermines election legitimacy.
3. Not voting can be a positive decision to register dissatisfaction with the candidates or the process.

Question 25

Votes at 16 pros

Answer 25

1. At age 16, young people can exercise significant responsibility. Therefore it is not coherent of their civil rights to be unable to vote.
2. Allowing young people to vote earlier will encourage them to take their duties as citizens earlier, especially as these habits can be developed while they are at school. Conservative MP John Lamont argued there is no better way to demonstrate responsibility ‘than by making a mark on the ballot paper’.
3. Most youth groups such as Votes at 16 have been praised for a positive political effect through campaigning and political activism. Labour MP Jim McMahon argued that the UK ‘must have democratic
   equality’

Question 26

Votes at 16 cons

Answer 26

1. Responsibility not as significant - still require parental permission for Army and marriage
2. This has not worked - turnout for this age group has been below 46% in 2021 Isle of Man . Only 77,600 registered 16-17 year olds in Scotland
3. Radicalisation is easier with the youth

Question 27

Prisoner voting

Answer 27

John Hirst 2001 claimed despite being in prison, he should be allowed to vote. His case was dismissed by courts in 2001. In 2003 the European Court of Human Rights declared a blanket ban on prisoner voting as it was contrary to Article 3. British government is in defiance of ECHR. nearly 100,000 individuals

However, Scottish concessions to prisoners allowing them to vote with an under 12 month sentence has garnered little voter enthusiasm.

Moreover, 2011 debate saw only 22 MPs vote in favour of prisoner voting.

Question 28

Pressure group categorisation

Answer 28

1. Sectional/interest - Sectional interest groups represent the interests of a particular group within society. For example the Muslim Council of Britain represents British muslims and the National Union of Students represents the interest of students.
2. Insider - An insider pressure group has privileged access to government decision making. The BMA represent doctors and soo possesses specialist information that governments need.The Howard League for Penal Reform can supply the Home Office with important information concerning prison reform.
3. Cause/promotional - pressure groups that promote a particular issue. Such as Friends of the Earth and Liberty. Unlock democracy which asks for a codified constitution
4. Outsider - outsider pressure groups do not possess access too political decision making and may be unprepared to work within current political structure. For example, Extinction Rebellion which has caused several disruptive high-profile protests.

Question 29

Pressure groups factors for success

Answer 29

1. Insider status - is important as insider groups such as the CBI can be called upon to provide information for judgements. The TUC holds power under a Labour, while TPA holds influence under Conservative governments.
2. Wealth - gives the ability to employ researchers, arrange meetings. CBI employs over 100 policy researchers. Institute of Directors operates offices in 12 regions in the UK.
3. Celebrity leadership - connection to a famous name will help achieve popular recognition. Stephen Fry is the public face for Mind mental health. Marcus Rashford 120mn food fund from govt
4. Social Media - allows a pressure group to gain more support. Oxfam or Amnesty International have large followings which gives their voice within public discourse greater weight.
5. Direct action - this can create immediate publicity and cause the government to back down or negotiate. 1990 poll tax riots, 2022 Christmas period strikes as well as 2023 railway strikes.

Question 30

Pressure groups examples

Answer 30

1. AA and RAC against Johnson’s Smart Motorways - 2021 presented specialist evidence to Transport Select Committee. 2021 RAC showed 54% of drivers thought it would be less safe.
2. Stop HS2 - Organised several high-profile demonstrations with support from some MPs. 2020 E-petition saw 155,253 signatures. However, there was large parliamentary support.
3. Stop the War coalition founded in 2001. 1 million marched through London, Blair had a 179 seat majority and was able to ignore.
4. China Research Group founded by Tom Tugenhadt 2020

Question 31

Lobbyists and think-tank

Answer 31

TPA had great influence with Cameron-Osborne austerity measures and its Euroscepticism has given it significant influence within the Conservative Party. However, Johnson and Sunak have raised taxes suggesting influence is exaggerated.

CBI during covid had significant influence over Johnson to pursue a late lock down, not close airlines, and the eat out to help out scheme

2022 Meta appointed Nick Clegg as president of global affairs.

2021 David Cameron Greensill Capital.

Question 32

Human rights developments since 1997

Answer 32

1. 1998 Human Rights Act - fully incorporated the ECHR into British law. As a result, UK civil liberties were established within a singular place.
2. Freedom of Information Act 2000 - right to access the information held by public bodies so long as it does not compromise national security. MPs’ expenses scandals in 2009 were revealed because journalists were able to access the information
3. Equality Act 2010 - gives everyone equality under the law and made discrimination illegal.

Question 33

Restrictions on civil liberties

Answer 33

1. 2016 Investigatory Powers Act - gave retention of personal electronic data and its access for law enforcement
2. 2020 Ed Bridges and Liberty brought case against police for automatic facial recognition technology
3. Police,Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 - anti protest bill
4. 2022 Johnson introduction of Rwanda plan
5. Voter Identification Regulations 2022 - Unlock Democracy campaign