Democracy in the UK Flashcards
Advantages of FPTP:
Simple and straightforward system to understand
Usually produces a majority government
Prevents extremist parties from getting into power
Simple and straightforward system to understand example:
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.
Usually produces a majority government example:
For example, 18 of the 21 post-war UK general elections produced a one-party majority government.
Prevents extremist parties from getting into power example:
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.
Disadvantages of FPTP:
Can result in tactical voting
Creates disproportionate representation for political parties
Leads to wasted votes
Can result in tactical voting example:
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.
Creates disproportionate representation for political parties example:
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.
Leads to wasted votes example:
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.
Reasons for joining a pressure group:
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
They feel that collective action is more effective than individual action example:
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).
They are seen as the best way to express a view and influence the government in between elections example:
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.
They may have been personally affected by an issue example:
For example, many black people participated in the Black Lives Matter demonstrations as they had been personally affected by racism and racial inequalities.
Pressure group methods:
Demonstrations
Celebrity support
Demonstrations example:
For example, in 2019, a million people attended a demonstration organised by the People’s Vote Campaign calling for a second referendum on Brexit.
Celebrity support example:
For example, the actress Emma Thompson has supported Extinction Rebellion demonstrations.
Influencers of the effectiveness of an election campaign:
Popularity of policies
Popularity of leaders
Use of media
Popularity of policies example:
For example, in the 2019 general election, Conservatives’ main policy to “get Brexit done” was popular with most voters across the UK.
Popularity of leaders example:
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.
Use of media example:
For example, in the 2019 general election, the Conservatives were supported by most of the national newspapers.
Campaign methods:
Canvassing voters
Making use of various forms of media
Canvassing voters example:
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.
Making use of various forms of media example:
For example, in the 2019 general election, the Conservatives posted dozens of photos and articles on Facebook criticising Labour’s leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Powers of the Prime Minister:
Power of Appointment
Cabinet Chairsperson
(bound by collective responsibility)
Prerogative Powers
Power of Appointment example:
For example, when Liz Truss became PM, she appointed her close ally James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary.
Cabinet Chairsperson example:
For example, when Boris Johnston was PM, he led cabinet discussions on policies to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prerogative Powers example:
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)
Reserved Powers of the UK Parliament:
Foreign Policy
Defence
Economic Policy
Defence example:
For example, in 2021, the UK Parliament voted to increase the UK’s nuclear warhead stockpile.
Foreign Policy example:
For example, the UK Parliament had the final say in the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Rights of UK citizens:
Right to vote
Right to a fair trial
Right to join a political party
Right to vote example:
For example, people over 18 years old were able to vote in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Right to a fair trial example:
For example, in the UK, you can only be held by the police for 24 hours.
Right to join a political party example:
For example, ex- St. Mungo’s pupil James Bundy put himself forward for the Conservative Party and won a seal within the Falkirk election.
Roles of the media:
Public watchdog
Inform the public
Represent the public
Public watchdog example:
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.
Inform the public example:
For example, left-wing newspapers like the Daily Mirror are likely to report Conservative policies negatively.
Represent the public example:
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.
Responsibilities of UK citizens:
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.
To accept the final decision of a vote example:
For example, many did not accept the 2016 EU referendum decision and protested against leaving the EU.
Reasons why political parties use the media:
(Influence of the media)
To reach a larger audience
It can engage young people
To reach a larger audience example:
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.
It can engage young people example:
For example, during the 2019 General Election the Conservative party spent £1 million on campaign materials on social media platforms.
