Democracy (UK)

Question 1

Why do some people think first past the post is fair?

Answer 1

• Most votes wins

* e.g Alistair Jack got the most votes out of all the candidates and so won Dumfries and Galloway 2017.

Question 2

Why do some people think first past the post is easy to use?

Answer 2

It is easy because you just cross the box next to the candidates name that you want and the ease of this encourages people to vote.

Question 3

Why do some people think first past the post creates a strong government?

Answer 3

• It is easier and quicker to pass laws.
• One party.
• e.g Conservatives have a majority of 12 since 2015 which will make it easier to pass laws.

Question 4

Who you gonna call due to first past the post?

Answer 4

Your one candidate for your constituency. It’s important that constituents know who represents them they can call their candidate if they have problems with fracking near their home.

Question 5

Why do some people think first past the lost is unfair?

Answer 5

Some candidates win with less than a majority of 50% of votes. For example Alistair Jack only won with 43% of votes. Which means more people didn’t want him than want him.

Question 6

Why do some people believe some votes count for nothing when using first past the post?

Answer 6

Voting for the loosing candidates means those votes count for nothing. This discourages voters as they believe there is no point in voting.

Question 7

What are safe seats?

Answer 7

Safe seats are unfair. There are places where one party ALWAYS wins. Voters for others parties think there is no point in voting.

Question 8

Why do some people believe that first past the post is out of proportion?

Answer 8

The number of votes a party gets does not reflect the proportion of the votes they won. For example in 2015 the SNP got 4% of votes but got 56 seats. Whereas Lib Dems got 8% of votes but only 8 seats in parliament.

Question 9

Describe a Petition

Answer 9

A petition can be used in parliament. It is when signatures are collected from people who feel strongly about an issue. It is then ant to an MP or MSP.

Question 10

Give an example of a petition

Answer 10

Stop the war coalition-petition against intervention in Syria.

Question 11

Why are petitions successful.

Answer 11

Petition show MPs the strength of public feeling towards an issue and that they may benefit if they do what the petition says.

Question 12

Why might pressure groups lobby MPs

Answer 12

To encourage MPs to meet with them and listen to the arguments being put forward.

Question 13

Give an example of lobbying MPs

Answer 13

• Private Members Bill

* Vote During Debate

Question 14

What is the aim of lobbying MPs?

Answer 14

To introduce a law that supports the aim of the pressure group.

Question 15

Why do pressure groups use protests and/or demonstrations?

Answer 15

It allows pressure groups to attract lots of attention through the media and it can influence the government.

Question 16

Give a description of a protest/demonstration

Answer 16

A large group of people come together to march to an important building or place to show their support or opposition to an issue.

Question 17

Give examples of protests/demonstrations

Answer 17

• George Square-potential military action in Syria.

* Bedroom Tax and changes to Universal Credits.

Question 18

Name two pressure groups

Answer 18

• GreenPeace

* Plane Stupid

Question 19

Give an example of Illegal direct action used by pressure groups

Answer 19

GreenPeace shut down 74 Shell petrol stations in London and Edinburgh to protest about the impact of activities on polar bears and artic.

Question 20

Why might a pressure group use illegal action?

Answer 20

To gain publicity however, the government fails to take them as seriously

Question 21

Give an example of how Westminster has reserved powers in Scotland (Immigration)

Answer 21

The UK parliament was to make landlords check that tenants are legally allowed to be in the UK.

Question 22

Give an example of how Westminster has reserved powers in Scotland (Decisions about social security and welfare)

Answer 22

The UK parliament passed changes to welfare such as Universal Credits and the bedroom tax.

Question 23

Give an example of how Westminster has reserved powers in Scotland (The UK monetary system)

Answer 23

The UK uses the £ sterling and not the Euro, despite being a member of the European Union.

Question 24

Give an example of how Westminster has reserved powers in Scotland (UK foreign policy and defence)

Answer 24

The UK parliament decided to send troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2015 a cross party debate took place about military intervention in Syria and it was decided to take part.