Democracy in the UK is in need of reform Flashcards

1
Q

ETVT democracy in the UK is in need of reform

A

It is

  1. Representation
  2. Participation
  3. Pressure groups and think tanks
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Representation IS NOT in need of reform

A

Descriptive representation In the commons is improving and a indirect democratic system is very capable of achieving descriptive representation. The current UK parliament for example is the most diverse in the UK history. In 2019 a record 220 female MPs were elected to the commons. In 2019 1 in 10 MPs were of ethnic background, ten years prior the number was 1 in 40. Around 13% of the UK population is of ethnic background.

Previous reforms such as All women shortlists in indirect democratic systems to achieve this, in 2019 labour returned more women than men (51%), Labour has used AWS to select its parliamentary candidates for 2 decades prior and this has led a much more representative parliament.

In the current system there is still a great amount of effective representation from MPs towards their constituents. There are 533 constituencies in England and the average population size, the average constituent size for the UK is 73,181. This means that MPs have a relatively small number of people that they can focus on, meaning they can undergo local representation and effectively represent the views.

Parliamentary sovereignty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Representation IS in need of reform

A

The current UK democratic system has resulted in lower representation of minorities, if this is the case how can we expect that the elected members will effectively protect the rights of minority groups and legislate in their best interests.

In the UK women make up only 29% of Parliament, compared to 51% of the general population. Ethnic minority groups make up only 6% of Parliament, versus 13% of the UK population. Similarly, 1/3 of MPs attended feepaying schools (compared with 7% of the population) and 90% attended university, much higher than the national average. 26% of Parliament attended Oxford or Cambridge, versus just 1% of the general population.

There is not just a issue with descriptive representation, but politicians in indirect democratic systems also fail to effectively represent the views.

In 2017 MPs voted 498 in favour of a bill that would allow ministers to begin formal negotiations to leave the EU, 120 of the MPs that backed the Bill represented constituencies that voted to remain and a further 9 who voted against the bill represented constituents who wanted to leave the EU. Indirect democracy does not work If MPs chosen to represent the beliefs and views of the electorate don’t do so effectively.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Participation is LOW

A

Participation in general elections and referendums is low and signifies a participation crisis in the UK, we can see this through the low turnout. The reasons for this may be due to a decline in interest, distrust in the political system or maybe they feel that the FPTP system means their vote wont count or make a difference.

Turnout was at an all-time high in the 1951 general election but has subsequently reached an all-time low in the 2001 election and has not significantly recovered since. 82.6% to 59.4%. Between 1922 and 1997 voter turnout never fell below 70%.

Since 2001 general election turnout has not recovered above the 70% margin, most recently in the 2019 election turnout was 67.3%

Furthermore referendums are a form of direct representation, UK EC membership referendum in 1975 was 64.5% and the AV referendum In 2011 was as low was 42.2%.

In the 2021 England and Wales Police and crime commissioner elections had a average turnout of 33.2%.

Decline in political participation is evident.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

There is NO participation crisis

A

Turnout was as high as 65% in 2010 and 67.3% in 2019, a clear rise from the 2001 numbers and showing that maybe turnout is not falling too much. Between 2001 and 2018 average turnout was 64%, reaching 69%.

Although there has been a decline since the 20th century numbers, its clear that the issue is not to significant and not enough to constitute a crisis.

BREXIT referendum turnout was as high as 72.2%, this shows that in the major events such as important constitutional change, people remain very interested in UK politics and they are very inclined to make their vote count. Turnout for the Scottish independence referendum 2014 was 84.6%.

The National Trust has 350 000 members, more than the conservative members and close to the number of members of the Labour party. Green peace also has 2.9 million members, far more than members of the Conservative party. Engagement in politics remains very high.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly