Democracy in the UK

Question 1

Advantages of FPTP:

Answer 1

Simple and straightforward system to understand

Usually produces a majority government

Prevents extremist parties from getting into power

Question 2

Simple and straightforward system to understand example:

Answer 2

For example, 67.3% of the electorate turned out to vote in the 2019 general election compared to 63% of the electorate in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

Question 3

Usually produces a majority government example:

Answer 3

For example, 18 of the 21 post-war UK general elections produced a one-party majority government.

Question 4

Prevents extremist parties from getting into power example:

Answer 4

For example, in the 2010 general election, BNP- who have racist policies- won over 500,000 votes but no seats, whereas if a proportional electoral system had been used they would’ve won 12.

Question 5

Disadvantages of FPTP:

Answer 5

Can result in tactical voting

Creates disproportionate representation for political parties

Leads to wasted votes

Question 6

Can result in tactical voting example:

Answer 6

For example, during the 2019 general election, people who didn’t want a Conservative government may have voted for Labour to try and stop the Conservatives from getting into power.

Question 7

Creates disproportionate representation for political parties example:

Answer 7

For example, in the 2019 general election, the Liberal Democrats won 11.5% of votes but only won 11 seats (1.7%)- they were second place in 91 constituencies.

Question 8

Leads to wasted votes example:

Answer 8

For example, the people who voted for parties other than the Conservative party are unfairly represented as they didn’t vote for a Conservative government.

Question 9

Reasons for joining a pressure group:

Answer 9

They feel that collective action is more effective than individual action

They are seen as the best way to express a view and influence the government in between elections

They may have been personally affected by an issue

Question 10

They feel that collective action is more effective than individual action example:

Answer 10

For example, thousands of people have joined together to participate in Extinction Rebellion protests. (collection voice has raised awareness and pushed the issue of climate change up the agenda).

Question 11

They are seen as the best way to express a view and influence the government in between elections example:

Answer 11

For example, thousands of people attended a Stop the War Coalition demonstration against the UK Government’s plans to take military action in Syria, an issue that was not being discussed at the previous general election.

Question 12

They may have been personally affected by an issue example:

Answer 12

For example, many black people participated in the Black Lives Matter demonstrations as they had been personally affected by racism and racial inequalities.

Question 13

Pressure group methods:

Answer 13

Demonstrations

Celebrity support

Question 14

Demonstrations example:

Answer 14

For example, in 2019, a million people attended a demonstration organised by the People’s Vote Campaign calling for a second referendum on Brexit.

Question 15

Celebrity support example:

Answer 15

For example, the actress Emma Thompson has supported Extinction Rebellion demonstrations.

Question 16

Influencers of the effectiveness of an election campaign:

Answer 16

Popularity of policies

Popularity of leaders

Use of media

Question 17

Popularity of policies example:

Answer 17

For example, in the 2019 general election, Conservatives’ main policy to “get Brexit done” was popular with most voters across the UK.

Question 18

Popularity of leaders example:

Answer 18

For example, in the 2019 general election, Boris Johnson was a much more popular leader than Jeremy Corbyn- 45% of non-Labour voters said the main reason they didn’t vote for Labour was because of Corbyn.

Question 19

Use of media example:

Answer 19

For example, in the 2019 general election, the Conservatives were supported by most of the national newspapers.

Question 20

Campaign methods:

Answer 20

Canvassing voters

Making use of various forms of media

Question 21

Canvassing voters example:

Answer 21

For example, SNP activists in the Falkirk area visited households across the constituency in communities like Denny and Larbert to encourage them to re-elect Johnny McNally, and promote the party’s main policy of another independence referendum.

Question 22

Making use of various forms of media example:

Answer 22

For example, in the 2019 general election, the Conservatives posted dozens of photos and articles on Facebook criticising Labour’s leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Question 23

Powers of the Prime Minister:

Answer 23

Power of Appointment

Cabinet Chairsperson
(bound by collective responsibility)

Prerogative Powers

Question 24

Power of Appointment example:

Answer 24

For example, when Liz Truss became PM, she appointed her close ally James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary.

Question 25

Cabinet Chairsperson example:

Answer 25

For example, when Boris Johnston was PM, he led cabinet discussions on policies to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Question 26

Prerogative Powers example:

Answer 26

For example, in 2018 Theresa May decided that the UK should take military action in Syria.

(She did this without having to discuss her plans with the cabinet)

Question 27

Reserved Powers of the UK Parliament:

Answer 27

Foreign Policy

Defence

Economic Policy

Question 28

Defence example:

Answer 28

For example, in 2021, the UK Parliament voted to increase the UK’s nuclear warhead stockpile.

Question 29

Foreign Policy example:

Answer 29

For example, the UK Parliament had the final say in the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Question 30

Rights of UK citizens:

Answer 30

Right to vote

Right to a fair trial

Right to join a political party

Question 31

Right to vote example:

Answer 31

For example, people over 18 years old were able to vote in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Question 32

Right to a fair trial example:

Answer 32

For example, in the UK, you can only be held by the police for 24 hours.

Question 33

Right to join a political party example:

Answer 33

For example, ex- St. Mungo’s pupil James Bundy put himself forward for the Conservative Party and won a seal within the Falkirk election.

Question 34

Roles of the media:

Answer 34

Public watchdog

Inform the public

Represent the public

Question 35

Public watchdog example:

Answer 35

For example, BBC panorama has highlighted problems in the benefits system, and the Daily Mirror has published details or parties in Downing Street during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Question 36

Inform the public example:

Answer 36

For example, left-wing newspapers like the Daily Mirror are likely to report Conservative policies negatively.

Question 37

Represent the public example:

Answer 37

For example, the Daily Mail and the Daily express have represented the public’s concerns about the level of immigration which has put pressure on the government to reduce immigration levels.

Question 38

Responsibilities of UK citizens:

Answer 38

To accept the final decision of a vote.

To support the police and courts by telling them the truth and attending jury duty when summoned.

To tell the truth when campaigning for an election.

Question 39

To accept the final decision of a vote example:

Answer 39

For example, many did not accept the 2016 EU referendum decision and protested against leaving the EU.

Question 40

Reasons why political parties use the media:

(Influence of the media)

Answer 40

To reach a larger audience

It can engage young people

Question 41

To reach a larger audience example:

Answer 41

For example, during the 2019 General Election party leaders, Boris Johnson (Conservative) and Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) hosted a TV debate which had 6 million viewers. Boris Johnson was able to influence voters on key policies such as their Brexit policy.

Question 42

It can engage young people example:

Answer 42

For example, during the 2019 General Election the Conservative party spent £1 million on campaign materials on social media platforms.