Democracy and participation evidence Flashcards
What are the two recent referendums in the UK?
United kingdom European union 2016 > 33 million voted to remain or leave the EU. 51.89% voted to leave.
The alternative vote referendum 2011 > over 19 million voted against the alternative vote and chose to keep first past the post system
What Is an example of an online petition ?
1.6 million people signed a petition to stop Us president donald trump from making a state visit to the uk ( changed to working visit at 2018)
What are examples of rallies and protests ?
In 2010 students marched in London about the rise of student fees.
In 2017 thousands of citizens gathered against the government’s economic decisions
What was the last general election and who won?
A recent one took place in December 2019 with conservatives winning 43.6% of the vote.
What is an example of when representative put their constituents before their party?
Ken Clarke and Anna Sourby voted in favor of the parliament vote on many Brexit deals representing their constituents , going against the conservatives.
When did the devolved bodies come in place?
Elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the devolved governments since the frst elections in 1998.
What was the turnout in the 2014 EU election ?
35.6%
An example of a safe seat
In belfast south in 2015, the winning candidate won with 24.5% of the vote.
Example of 16 year old voting in the UK
In Scotland there was a legislation passed in 2015 that allowed the 16 year olds to vote in Scottish elections. The 16 year olds were also allowed to vote in the 2014 independence referendum
An example of compulsory voting
In Australia , compulsory voting existed and turnout is usually around 95% at elections.
Example that there is no demand for major reforms
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.
How do we know that trade unions are in decline ?
By 2016 trade union membership had a dropped to an all time low of 6.23 million
Example of single issue groups on a rise
In 2013 the passionate collaboration study found that 139 environmental groups they analysed had a total membership of 4.5 million which is one in ten of the uk.
Why was there a need for more voting rights in the UK?
There was pressure to give working class men the right to vote because non property owner men fought in the war.
What is NICE?
an insider pressure group -NICE ( national institute of healthcare and excellence) works with the government to create policy around healthcare and the NHS.
Give me three other examples apart from NICE that are Inside pressure groups in the uk
CBI ( confederation of british industry ) and the NFU ( national farmers union) also work with the governments.
The taxpayers alliance also has close links with the conservative party.
Give me four examples of outsider groups in the UK
Fathers4justiice works for equal rights for fathers after separation.
Occupy movement campaign for balance between the executive and worker pay
Plane stupid is a pressure group against the expansion of uk airports
There is also Amnesty International which works for human rights.
Give me three examples of cause groups AKA promotional groups
Stop HS2 wanted to the building of the second fastest railway in the uk
Greenpeace wanted to end the destruction of the environment.
Mediawatch UK wanted to promote “ family values in the media”.
Give me two examples of sectional groups
Houses building federation represent the voice of the housing building industry.
The British medical association represents 160.000 doctors.
Give me an example of pressure groups being part of a political debate
In the debate over building the third runway in Heathrow airport, british chambers of commerce have argued for it and no third runway action group has argued against it.
Give me two examples of popular pressure groups that give voices to minorities
The national union of teachers represents the teachers.
The police federation aggregates concerns of police officers in the uk.
Example of pressure groups creating political participation on a National level
we demand a referendum “ group dropped off a petition at Downing street with over 100.00 signatures in 2012 calling for a referendum on EU membership.
Example of pressure groups creating political participation on a local level
Stop Somerset protest against their council who wants to cut public services by 2020.
example of pressure groups influencing policies
The royal society for the prevention of accidents works to change policies.
