Citizens Influence Essay Flashcards
Introduction
Some would argue that the most effective way for citizens to influence the government’s decisions is by voting. However it can be argued that consultations and petitions are also effective methods but with some limitations. Ultimately this response will show why voting is the most influential method available to all UK citizens.
Consultations
Describe
A consultation is when the government will seek out the opinions of the public as well as organisations on changes they are proposing. The responses that the government receives from their consultations allow their decision for the government’s next actions in regards to the purpose of the consultation, which can be a popular or controversial topic, to be altered depending on the majority vote in the consultation in hopes of pleasing their audience.
Consultations
Example
For example, the Scottish Government recently consulted on raising the age of retirement for judges in Scotland. 75% said that the age should be raised to 75 and in 2021 the Scottish government announced it would raise the retirement age to 75.
Consultations
Analysis
This shows us that the government will take action depending on what the public thinks of an issue that is being reviewed as they are potential voters which causes the government to be mindful to pay attention to their opinions and views on different situations.
Consultations - aren’t influential
Describe
This means that the government doesn’t have to take into account the public’s views on the topic in discussion as the consultation is only for the Government to look at to see if people agree that action should be taken. The results of the consultation are solely based on the Government’s decision, the public do not have a final say in regards to its outcome.
Consultations - aren’t influential
Example
For example, the Scottish government consulted in early 2020 about introducing tougher rules for non-surgical cosmetic surgery, like lip fillers yet 12 months later had not even published the responses nor any decisions.
Consultations - aren’t influential
Analysis
This shows us that if the Government has decided to take action on the consultation, the action taken can take years to take into effect and may not affect those who were involved in the consultation and were who the consultation was aimed at previously.
Consultations
Link back
Therefore, it is partially accurate to say that consultations can be an effective way to influence the government as those involved in the consultations are the ones who will be involved in voting within the elections, however it is more accurate to say that consultations aren’t an effective way for citizens to influence the government because although the government has seeked out the opinions of the public, they do not have to listen to their views as it solely up to the Government in regards to if a Bill will be passed or not, and when this Bill will be in affect.
Petitions
Describe
Petitions are a popular method used to demand action or change to be made. They can become very influential when a large number of people give their signatures as this puts pressure on the government to comply. This is because they fear that those who backed the petition would never become future supporters and instead future competition.
Petitions
Example
For example, in 2023 a petition was created to ensure that all GCSE students are issued equation sheets. The petition received 14,136 signatures. In September 2023, the Government responded stating that the Department for Education and Ofqual will confirm arrangements for 2024 exams early in the autumn term for issued equation sheets.
Petitions
Analysis
This shows us that it is in the best interests of the government to respond to popular petitions on issues that have a high following as this will be what citizens use to determine their voting behaviours, if the government decides to take action on a particular petition.
Petitions - aren’t influential
Describe
Anyone can create a petition about anything they choose, so the government may deem some petitions weak and decide that they are not worthy of their party’s expertise as they may see some petitions as a waste of their time and not feel that it would positively benefit them.
Petitions - aren’t influential
Example
For example, in recent years the two biggest petitions in UK history have been to cancel Brexit and ban Donald Trump from the UK earning over 7 million signatures between them, in which neither petitions have had positive results or any results.
Petitions - aren’t influential
Analysis
This shows us that although a petition can receive enough signatures, the Government or Parliament doesn’t have to take action in favour of the petition as they may deem the petition as unnecessary and therefore the petition is ignored and is not continued further such as made into a law or a bill.
Petitions
Link back
Therefore, it is accurate to say that petitions partially influence the government to some extent. However, petitions are ineffective in influencing the government because even if the petition receives the 10,000 signatures for the Government response, the Government can ignore the petition if they think that the petition doesn’t align with their views and won’t bring in potential voters to the party.
Voting
Describe
Voting is when every 4 - 5 years Scotland and the UK will hold an election to choose the next FM/PM. Those who receive the majority of votes are elected to lead the country and are only elected if the public decide that they will be the best political party for the country as they align with the public’s needs or opinions.
Voting
Example
For example, in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election the SNP and the Scottish Greens, the two parties in support of independence, won a combined 72 seats which is a majority.
Voting
Analysis
This shows us that based on the public’s voting influences what actions that the government takes in the future as the government is focusing on those who responded with the votes to try and please them in order to gain their support or keep them supporting their party.
Voting - aren’t influential
Describe
Many people do not exercise their right to vote, for example young people, which causes voting to be uninfluential as there is no variety in the voters which means that the impact of the votes may not appeal to all groups as only a minority of people voted in the election. In recent elections, the only political parties that are being voted into power are the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.
Voting- aren’t influential
Example
For example, non-voters in the general election made up 15.5m people which is more than the votes for any political party.
Voting - isn’t influential
Analysis
This shows us that the results of the voting is only based on the opinions of a small minority and won’t show a true representation on the opinions of the public as there is majority who do not exercise their right to vote, which means that the statistics from voting cannot be relied upon to give a portionally representative view of the desires of UK citizens.
Voting
Link back
Therefore, it is accurate to say that voting partially influences the government to some extent. However, voting is ineffective in influencing the government because only a minority of the public vote for those in power, which means that the results are only the opinion of a small group of the public that can influence the government, not showing an accurate representation of the public’s opinion.
Conclusion
