Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Voting in a direct democracy

Answer 1

The citizens in a direct democracy vote themselves on the policies and laws which are made by the government as opposed to acting through others.

decisions are reached by a majority voting decision.

Most UK decisions are not made by direct democracy.

important decisions are made by referendums.

Question 2

Referendums

Answer 2

directly vote on issues and the government creates policy based on the response.

The United Kingdom European Union referendum 2016:

33 million Uk citizens voted on whether to remain a member of the EU or leave, 51.89% voted to leave.

The Alternative Vote referendum 2011:

Over 19 million citizens voted against adopting the Alternative Vote system and chose to keep the current FPTP system.

Question 3

Online petitions

Answer 3

Uk parliament has set up a platform for citizens to make and sign online petitions.

If a petition gains over 100,000 signatures then parliament may debate the topic.

a topic must be sponsored by the ‘Backbench Business committee’ so it is not an entirely direct democracy.

Question 4

Examples of online petitions

Answer 4

1.6 million people signed a petition to stop US President Donald Trump from making a state visit to the UK.

MPs then debated Trump’s visit to parliament and changed it from a ‘state visit’ to a ‘working visit’ in 2018.

Question 5

rallies and protests

Answer 5

Groups of people concerned about the government or political actions may gather to demonstrate their support or disapproval.

But governments don’t have to respond to protests.

Examples of rallies and protests:

In 2017 thousands of citizens gathered to protest in London against the government’s economic and political decisions. People disapproved of austerity measures.
In 2010 thousands of students marched in London to protest tuition fee rises.

Question 6

Pros of direct democracy

Answer 6

Cooperation

Purest form

Transparency

Wishes of the people

All votes count equally

Education

Citizens become educated in key political issues.
The Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011 educated the public on different kinds of voting

Question 7

Cons of direct democracy

Answer 7

Voters may not be experts

Can be manipulated

The way in which questions are phrased and the timing of them can manipulate results.
The wording of the 2016 EU Referendum was changed from “yes/no” to “remain/leave”.
This is because “yes/no” questions may benefit the “yes” side.

Impractical

A system of direct democracy is too time-consuming, expensive, and may not be practical to make frequent decisions.
For a big country with millions of citizens, direct democracy is especially difficult.
The Cabinet Office estimated that the total cost of the 2016 EU Referendum was £142.4m (including the cost of running polling stations and counting votes).

Question 8

How representation works

Answer 8

Elected representatives from organised parties make the decisions on the behalf of their voters.

Regular elections give representatives authority and make the system legitimate.

The UK is a representative democracy. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to Parliament by the electorate in the general election.

MPs in the UK are accountable to the citizens who have voted for them.

Political power in the UK is mainly held by representatives, not the public.

Question 9

Members of Parliament

Answer 9

General elections involve voters voting for a candidate to represent their local area, called a constituency

There are 650 constituencies in the UK, so 650 representatives are voted for by citizens.

The winning candidates gain a ‘seat’ in the House of Commons.

These representatives act on behalf of their constituency in parliament

Question 10

UK General Elections

Answer 10

General elections take place every five years in May (a result of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011).

Parliament can decide to hold an election earlier, by voting to support a motion of no confidence in the Government, or by voting by a two-thirds majority in favour of a general election.

Question 11

Question Time

Answer 11

MPs question members of the government about issues which they are responsible for, which will often be on matters of concern to their constituents.

Prime Minister’s Question Time: Takes place once a week, where the Leader of the Opposition and then MP’s question the Prime Minister on significant issues, often on behalf of the voters they represent.

Question 12

Debate

Answer 12

MPs can propose a debate, and debate themselves in Parliament, on various issues which will have importance for the voters they represent.

Question 13

Laws

Answer 13

The way in which MPs vote on laws in Parliament can be based on representing the views of their constituents

MPs Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry voted in favour of giving Parliament a vote on any Brexit deal which is reached, representing their constituents and going against the Conservative Party.

Question 14

Pros of Representative democracy

Answer 14

Representation

Expertise

Practicality

Accountability

Question 15

Cons of Representative Democracy

Answer 15

Low participation levels

UKIP won 26.6% of the UK popular vote in the European Parliament, but at the 2015 general election only won 12.6% of the vote.
Delegates vs trustees

Inna curate representation

29% of MPs are privately educated, but only 7% of the UK is.
A parliament may not have substantive representation (where the representatives advocate on behalf of certain groups).
David Cameron pushed through legislation to legalise gay marriage in the UK, despite not being gay.
It can be argued that a parliament needs to have both types to truly represent.
Self-interest
Representatives may choose to act in their own best interest, or in the best interest of a select few constituents, rather than all of them.

Question 16

Similarities between direct and representative

Answer 16

Both representative and direct democracies are forms of democracy that allow voters to make important decisions.
Both types of democracy use mandates from the public to make decisions.

Question 17

Differences between direct and representative

Answer 17

Each and every voter makes decisions on their own in direct democracies.
In representative democracies, a representative makes decisions on the behalf of lots of voters.
In representative democracies, each vote might be worth different amounts depending on constituency size.
Direct democracy uses mandates from public votes.
In representative democracies, the votes for a representative are taken as a mandate, or the votes of several representatives is taken as a mandate.

Question 18

Mandates

Answer 18

A mandate is when a political party or decision-maker has the authority to make decisions or put policies in place.
Winning a seat in an election gives the Member of Parliament a mandate from their voters.

Question 19

Democratic deficit

Answer 19

Democratic Deficit is the belief that democracy is not working as intended and is failing to ensure sufficient accountability and legitimacy.
In the case of the UK, this refers to problems with representative democracy in practice.

Question 20

Example case: low voter turn out

Answer 20

UK election turnout fell after 1997 (although has started rising again).
Election turnout is incredibly low in elections other than general elections, such as European Parliament elections and local elections- 35.6% in the 2014 EU parliament election.

Question 21

Example case: The voting system

Answer 21

FPTP creates a two-party system. Parties with no large, country-wide base find it hard to gain seats.
The two main parties can win less than 40% of the vote but win a majority of seats.
FPTP creates ‘safe’ seats, where one party is almost certain to win. Opposition voters may feel their interests are unrepresented.
In votes with many candidates, the popular vote may split, and a candidate with a low vote may win.
In Belfast South in 2015, the winning candidate had 24.5% of the vote.

Question 22

Example case: Institutions

Answer 22

The House of Lords has a mostly unelected membership. Some peers are hereditary peers, and inherited their title. The house doesn’t share many of the characteristics as the UK public, and costs taxpayers money.
The Supreme Court is another unelected institution with power to challenge laws.

Question 23

Example case: The EU

Answer 23

EU regulations are binding and member states don’t get to pick and choose the ones they want to obey
For example, free movement of labour means that governments can’t restrict immigration from the EU.
This means that parliament has lost some of its sovereignty.
There have been several movements across Europe to leave the European Union as a result.

Question 24

Compulsory voting

Answer 24

Having voting as a legal duty, and fining people for not voting is a way of increasing turnout, making election results more representative of the entire electorate.
In Australia, compulsory voting exists, and turnout is usually around 95% at elections

Question 25

Electoral reform

Answer 25

Some believe it is time to change the voting system, for example away from First Past the Post to the Alternative Vote system

Question 26

House of Lords Reform

Answer 26

Some people want to reform the House of Lords because it is not elected, and so not representative of the people, but has an important say in legislation passed. The Liberal Democrats have proposed introducing an elected second chamber (for example, a senate).

Question 27

Online voting

Answer 27

Currently, voting in UK elections involves the time and money of setting up polling stations and providing physical resources. Online voting from phones and computers could reduce these costs. As well as this, voters may find it difficult to turn up to polling stations, especially if they cannot take time off work. Online voting is more likely to engage with younger voters and people too busy to vote - so might increase election turnout.

Question 28

Lowering the voting age

Answer 28

Many argue that 16-18-year-olds are citizens that should have parliamentary representation. In Scotland, legislation was passed in 2015 to allow 16-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections. 16-year-olds were allowed to vote in the 2014 Independence Referendum.

Question 29

Election participation

Answer 29

In the UK electoral participation is at a similar level to other Western democracies.

Question 30

No demand for major reform

Answer 30

Changes to the voting system have been rejected - major House of Lords reform was rejected in 2012 by the coalition government, and in 2011 the public voted against AV.

Question 31

Media scrutiny

Answer 31

The media acts to scrutinise politics and holds politicians to account. This is an effective way of monitoring UK politics and informing voters.

Question 32

Importance of pressure groups

Answer 32

Pressure groups allow the representation of minority interests and scrutinise the government. Pressure groups inform the public of key issues, and engage the public in politics.

Question 33

Franchise/suffrage

Answer 33

Suffrage, or having the franchise, is the right and ability to engage in politics and vote in an election. “Extending” the franchise means increasing the number of people who can vote in elections.

Question 34

Problems with the UK franchise

Answer 34

By the early 1800s, only 400,000 people could vote. Constituencies were boroughs or counties. Rules meant that some wealthy individuals could vote multiple times, but others could not vote at all. Different boroughs had different rules on who could vote. Small “rotten” boroughs with few people living there had an MP, but growing industrial cities didn’t have enough representation. Constituency reform was needed. Women were excluded, as were many working class men.

Question 35

1832 Great Reform Act

Answer 35

Many rotten boroughs were abolished, and representation was given to urban areas like Manchester. In the counties, more people were given the franchise, like tenant farmers. The Act gave the vote to middle class people in the boroughs, such as small landowners and shopkeepers. Most working men could not vote still because the Act still required property.

Question 36

1918 Rep of the People Act

Answer 36

1918 Representation of the People Act The 1918 Act let women vote in general elections. Women who were married, owned property, or graduates, and aged over 30 were given the vote All men aged over 21 were given the vote The 1918 Act was passed by the wartime coalition government. The act passed partly because of pressure to give the vote to working class men without property who had served their country in the army.

Question 37

1928 Rep of the People Act

Answer 37

The 1928 Act extended suffrage to all women. | The 1928 Act was passed under a Conservative government.

Question 38

1969 Rep of the People Act

Answer 38

1969 Representation of the People Act The 1969 Act extended suffrage to people under 21, after attitudes towards adulthood changed in the UK. The 1969 Act was passed under a Labour government.

Question 39

1969 Rep of the People Act

Answer 39

1969 Representation of the People Act The 1969 Act extended suffrage to people under 21, after attitudes towards adulthood changed in the UK. The 1969 Act was passed under a Labour government.

Question 40

Suffragettes

Answer 40

Suffragettes such as the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) used direct action and militant methods to show the urgency of women’s suffrage. Militant methods included setting fire to buildings, attacking post boxes, and attempting to hurt politicians. Campaigners were imprisoned for their actions. Suffragettes in prison went on hunger strike and were force-fed. These actions made their struggle public, and many people criticised the Liberal government.

Question 41

Debates over suffrage

Answer 41

Some historians have argued that the Suffragettes were too militant in their actions and actually hindered their cause by alienating the government. Some historians argue that Suffragists were more effective because they used peaceful methods, and their contribution to suffrage has been underappreciated.

Question 42

Suffragists

Answer 42

Suffragists tried to achieve the vote using peaceful methods, trying to get a bill passed in the Houses of Parliament. Suffragists tried to organise cross-party support and convince and lobby politicians of the importance of female suffrage. Suffragists used peaceful demonstrations and gathered support with petitions. Suffragists were successful in getting bills to parliament, but none were made into law.

Question 43

Campaign group

Answer 43

The Votes at 16 Coalition is a group run by several different campaign groups, such as the National Union of Students (NUS) and The British Youth Council.

Question 44

Arguments for votes at 16

Answer 44

Supporters argue that 16-18-year-olds can pay income tax, choose to get married and join the army, but are not represented in parliament. Young people are taught about citizenship and politics in school, so are educated about politics. Opposers argue that under 18s are not mature enough to make political decisions. Few countries allow votes at 16. Youth turnout is usually low in elections, so under 18 turnout isn't expected to be different.

Question 45

Political support

Answer 45

The issue was brought to parliament in 2008 in a private member’s bill sponsored by Julie Morgan, but the bill ran out of time in parliament. The movement has had some success, 16-18s were able to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum. All major UK parties support votes at 16 apart from the Conservatives who hold power.

Question 46

How pressure groups work

Answer 46

Pressure groups aim to influence policies and political decisions or change public attitudes without looking to gain political office. Pressure groups have a narrowly focused aim or goal which is shared with all pressure group members.

Question 47

Insider groups

Answer 47

Insider pressure groups have regular contact with decision makers and so are able to work ‘inside’ the political system. Insider groups are often consulted on specific policy issues by government departments, MPs, political parties and committees.

Question 48

Privileged insider group access

Answer 48

Insider group privileged access may be based on the view that they are regarded as more moderate than other types of pressure group. Insider groups need to be careful to keep the government on their side, so tend not to make extreme demands.Insider group methods of influence involve working closely with those in the political system rather than more extreme methods such as direct action.

Question 49

Examples of insider groups

Answer 49

NICE (National Institute for Health Care and Excellence) work with the government to create policy around healthcare and the NHS. Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) are both regularly consulted by the government. The TaxPayers’ Alliance has close links to the Conservative party

Question 50

Outsider groups

Answer 50

Outsider pressure groups are not consulted by the government, do not have direct and regular contact with decision makers and do not operate through influencing those within the political system. Outsider pressure groups aim to gain the support of public opinion. Outsider pressure groups undertake methods of influencing policy which involve working ‘outside’ the political system. "Potential" insiders may aim to work inside the political system.

Question 51

Examples of outsider groups

Answer 51

Fathers4Justice campaign for fathers to have equal rights after separation. Occupy Movement campaign for a balance between executive and worker pay. Plane Stupid is a pressure group against the expansion of UK airports. Amnesty International is an example of a potential insider group

Question 52

Sectional groups

Answer 52

Sectional groups represent a specific section of society. Sectional groups do not campaign for broader issues. Sectional groups are concerned with protecting and advancing the interests of their members.

Question 53

Examples of sectional groups

Answer 53

House Builders Federation represents the voice of the house building industry British Medical Association represents 160,000 doctors

Question 54

Promotional groups

Answer 54

Promotional or Cause groups have a single issue which they are concerned with promoting. Promotional groups promote ideas that don’t directly benefit their members but which they believe will benefit the public in general. Promotional groups are more inclusive because they aim to create a large membership base.

Question 55

Examples of promotional groups

Answer 55

Stop HS2 want to stop the building of the second high-speed rail line in the UK. Greenpeace wish to end destruction of the environment. Mediawatch-UK want to promote "family values in the media".

Question 56

Political debate on pressure groups

Answer 56

Pressure groups enable debate on important issues to take place On certain issues there will be pressure groups making the case on both sides, so encouraging debate. In the debate over the building of a third runway at Heathrow airport, the British Chambers of Commerce have argued for a third runway whilst the No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) have argued against plans for the runway.

Question 57

Government scrutiny

Answer 57

Some pressure groups scrutinise (examine closely) government policies and legislation, offering suggestions for how it may be improved. Insider groups often carry out this scrutiny function.

Question 58

Political representation

Answer 58

Pressure groups represent their members, sections of society, or causes, in the political sphere. Pressure groups can speak for and defend minorities, so that they have a voice in society. Pressure groups can help prevent a ‘tyranny of the majority’ (when the majority of the electorate impose their interests and policies on society at the expense of the minority). The Police Federation aggregates concerns of policemen in the UK. The National Union of Teachers represents teachers

Question 59

Political education from pressure groups

Answer 59

Pressure groups look to promote the education of the public around the issues which they are concerned with. Migration Watch UK provides information on immigration numbers for the public. Muslim Council of Britain look to increase the education of the public around Islam.

Question 60

Influencing policy

Answer 60

Pressure groups can act as a vital source of expert information and advice to governments. Insider pressure groups are regularly consulted in formulating policy. For example: the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents works to change policy. Pressure groups also try to influence policy through public pressure with the aim of influencing the government through pressure from voters. Outsider pressure groups aim to influence in this way.

Question 61

Political participation

Answer 61

Joining a pressure group allows for increased political participation through alternative means to voting and in between elections. ‘We Demand a Referendum’ Group dropped off a petition at Downing Street with 100,000 signatures in 2012 calling for a referendum on EU membership. Pressure groups also enable participation in local level politics The pressure group Stop Somerset Cuts have protested against the Somerset County Council’s proposals for cuts in public services by 2020.

Question 62

Influencing parties

Answer 62

Pressure groups try to influence the policy of a party and have their issue represented in the party’s manifesto. If a party is elected, their issue may be in government policy. Influence can be exerted in the form of funding a party or voting at a party conference. Examples: Momentum and the Labour Party. Centre for Policy Studies and the Conservatives.

Question 63

Influencing MPs

Answer 63

Pressure groups try to influence MPs in the House of Commons and members of select committees to make sure group interests are represented in the bills debates and law-making. Groups may also try to influence members of the House of Lords when the chamber is debating and proposing bill revisions

Question 64

Direct access to decision-makers

Answer 64

Pressure groups with access to key political decision-makers, such as the prime minister and cabinet ministers, can directly argue for their cause and interest. Governments consult (ask advice of) certain pressure groups because of their policy expertise. The government can use pressure groups to assess the reaction of affected groups to potential government policies. The CBI in economic, industrial and trade policy and the BMA in health policy have direct influence.

Question 65

Lobbying

Answer 65

Pressure groups can try to influence through hiring lobbyists who are individuals that work to put pressure on the government and influence them.

Question 66

protest

Answer 66

Pressure groups use legal forms of protest with the aim of gaining publicity and support to win over public opinion. Public opinion can be used to put pressure on political decision makers. Protest is often used by outsider groups. One example of protest is an open protest, in which pressure groups take part in marches and demonstrations with the purpose of increasing the public awareness of their issue.

Question 67

Examples of protest

Answer 67

Fathers4Justice marched outside former PM David Cameron’s home in Oxfordshire in 2011 to demonstrate their anger at his article which labelled men who abandon their families as “Feckless Fathers” who “should be looked at like drink drivers”. The pressure group Hacked Off had a petition signed by 175,000 people in 2013 for the recommendations from the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking to be implemented.

Question 68

Direct action

Answer 68

Direct action is a form of political protest that can involve civil disobedience, illegal methods or violence. The aim of direct action is to raise the profile of the pressure group’s cause through attraction local or national media coverage.

Question 69

Examples of direct action

Answer 69

Fathers4Justice carried out a publicity stunt in which a member of the group scaled Buckingham Palace balcony dressed as Batman. The Animal Liberation Front has carried out attacks on homes of people with connections to pharmaceutical research laboratories using animals as part of their research.

Question 70

Legal challenges

Answer 70

Pressure groups have tried to use the court to enforce policy changes or contest (challenge) current policy. The Countryside Alliance pressure group contested a ban on fox hunting in the High Court. Child Poverty Action Group brought a case against the Government to the High Court challenging the two child limit introduced by the 2016 Welfare Reform and Work Act.

Question 71

Resources

Answer 71

Larger groups have more members to campaign for them (human capital). More members paying fees means that a campaign can become more organised - by having an office and paying for adverts.

Question 72

Membership size

Answer 72

Large groups can demonstrate that the issue affects a significant population.

Question 73

Access to decision-makers

Answer 73

Insider access to decision-makers will increase the likelihood of changing political opinions.

Question 74

Public support

Answer 74

Popular campaigns that play on public desires, fears or contemporary issues are more likely to gather attention. Media coverage can change how the public sees a pressure group.

Question 75

Occupy London Campaign

Answer 75

The Occupy London movement protested against corporate greed and social inequality. This was part of a global set of protests for the same cause. The group camped outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, and occupied squares and abandoned buildings throughout London. The group campaigned for a variety of causes - against climate change, against tax cuts and bank bail-outs.

Question 76

Outcome

Answer 76

The group had many vague aims when campaigning. The group was able to bring attention to their cause, but they were unable to achieve a long-term impact. Many argue that this is because they didn't have a clear goal. The group didn't have insider access to decision-makers, and so could only influence by doing public demonstrations to raise awareness and put pressure on decision-makers. The City of London Corporation only complied with one demand.

Question 77

The Legatum Institute

Answer 77

The Legatum Institute has gained an influence on parliament and government ministers who support Britain leaving the EU. The Legatum Institute proposed that Britain leaves the EU and removes tariffs. The Legatum Institute helped draw up a letter with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to PM Theresa May which outlined certain Brexit demands. Legatum members held private meetings with civil servants and were referred to as having an influence by Michael Gove in the House of Commons.

Question 78

The influence of think tanks

Answer 78

Think tanks try to influence public policy and policy debate through having direct access to political decision-makers, through use of the media and using other policy organisations to distribute their work more widely. Think tanks aim to generate and publish policy ideas based on their research which politicians have not thought about or considered.

Question 79

Centre for Policy Studies

Answer 79

Centre for Policy Studies has strong links to influencing Conservative party policy, regularly attends party conferences and has influence over Conservative MPs. The Centre for Policy Studies holds events with Conservative MPs as speakers, including Sam Gyimah MP.

Question 80

How lobbyists influence politics

Answer 80

Influence can be achieved through political donations, gifts and meals. Lobbyists work on behalf of organisations, and allow organisations to have influence over decisions that impact or affect them. Lobbyist influence can be most significant when lobbyists have significant access to, and personal contacts who are, politicians and decisions makers. E.g. Hanbury Strategy Hanbury Strategy was set up by Ameet Gill, a former special adviser to former PM David Cameron, and Paul Stephenson, a director for the campaign group Vote Leave. Both founders have personal connections to senior decision makers within the Conservatives. Hanbury Strategy lobby primarily around Brexit issues that affect their clients.

Question 81

Corporate political influence

Answer 81

Certain corporations are consulted by the government on policies to gain their insight into the practicality of proposals. Corporations try to influence political decision-makers by controlling of sectors of the economy so they can put pressure on decision-makers and gain more favourable policies and laws. Corporations can influence political decisions by funding political parties, which gives access to political decision-makers. Corporations often hire lobbyists to gain access.

Question 82

Examples of corporate influence

Answer 82

BMW and Airbus are two of several companies threatening to reduce investment and cut thousands of UK jobs in the event that there is a ‘hard’ Brexit. Bernie Ecclestone donated £1 million to Labour before the 1997 general election and led to the Labour government seeking an exemption for the company he headed, Formula One, from an EU ban on advertising tobacco.

Question 83

Magna Carta and Bill of Rights

Answer 83

Magna Carta, 1215: Restrictions were imposed on the monarchy to stop the monarch from abusing power. Bill of Rights, 1689: The Bill of Rights introduced more limits on the power of the monarchy. The Bill of Rights also introduced rights of parliament such as free elections and, parliamentary free speech

Question 84

Advances in Europe

Answer 84

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 1953: The ECHR was signed by the UK in 1951, and came into force in 1953. Signing this meant that all UK government actions needed to be in compliance with the ECHR Includes articles such as the right to life, and the right to freedom from torture. European Court of Justice, 1973: After the UK joined the European Economic Community, the European Court of Justice protected the rights of UK workers.

Question 85

Data Protection Act, 1984

Answer 85

The Data Protection Act protected the personal information that public organisations held people’s personal information which public organisations held.

Question 86

Human Rights Act, 1998

Answer 86

The Human Rights Act meant that the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) became codified into British law.

Question 87

Freedom of Information Act

Answer 87

The FOIA allowed UK citizens to access some information held by UK public institutions. However, some information, for example relating to national security cannot be accessed.

Question 88

Equality Act, 2010

Answer 88

The Act brought together all UK anti-discriminatory measures into a single document. Protects workers and the general public from discrimination. The act includes different types of discrimination, including age discrimination and disability discrimination.

Question 89

Examples of Use of the Act

Answer 89

There have been a number of cases of the Human Rights Act serving to defend the rights of individuals within the UK. Abu Qatada, a Jordanian national who was deemed to have connections to terrorist groups, was not able to be deported in 2012 because evidence used against him was gained through torture. After the Hillsborough disaster, families of victims used the Human Rights Act to force an in-depth inquiry into the deaths.

Question 90

Effective at protecting rights

Answer 90

The Human rights Act meant that rights became enshrined in a clear way in statute. The Human Rights Act must be complied with by legislation. The Human Rights Act has meant that citizens can ensure the protection of their rights through courts in the UK.

Question 91

Ineffective at protecting rights

Answer 91

As the Human Rights Act has not been entrenched it can be replaced and so does not offer sufficient protection of rights and liberties. The Conservative Party has planned to replace the Human Rights Act with a ‘British Bill of Rights’. The Human Rights Act is limited in its protection as it cannot overturn legislation which has been made in parliament. The government can ‘set aside’ the Human Rights Act. The rights of terror suspects were set aside after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Question 92

Liberty

Answer 92

AKA the National Council for Civil Liberties. The biggest pressure group protecting civil liberties. Aim to make sure freedom and rights of individuals and communities are protected. Work by public campaigning, working with parliament, giving out free advice and analyse policy. Not affiliated with any political party, and doesn’t receive government funding. Currently campaigning to end indefinite detention and take the government to court over the Snooper’s Charter.

Question 93

Unlock Democracy

Answer 93

Formed as Charter88. Campaign for democratic reform and a participatory democracy. Campaign for a written constitution in the UK to protect the rights of citizens, empower local communities and institute proportional representation. Grassroots campaign, so work in local communities at the ground-level. Not affiliated with any political party.

Question 94

Rights-based culture

Answer 94

All laws passed must comply with the Human Rights Act, which has led to some arguing that the UK has a ‘rights-based culture’. Judges can use the Human Rights Act to declare existing laws unfit, which promotes human rights in UK society and lawmaking.

Question 95

Individual v collective rights

Answer 95

The Human Rights Act protects individuals rather than UK citizenship collectively. Protecting individual rights is seen as a good thing because it enables a free and fair society, and protects individuals who may face oppression. But, if individual rights are protected at the expense of collective rights, there can be restrictions on actions that can be taken to protect the public.

Question 96

Examples of rights conflicts

Answer 96

For example, some criminals in the UK have not been extradited (handed over to law enforcement where the crimes were committed) because of the Human Rights Act. Some may consider this a threat to the collective rights of liberty and security. After 9/11, the government wished to detain terror suspects without trial, but this was ruled against by the Law Lords, because it was seen as discrimination.