Democratic Deficit And Reform

Question 1

How is legitimate elections being met

Answer 1

Free and fair elections frequently where a government usually gain a majority giving them a mandate such as labour 2024 63% seats

Question 2

Legitimate elections are not being met in Uk

Answer 2

Low turnout 59,8% , fptp disadvantages minor parties such as reform who won 14% vote but only 5 seats

Question 3

Engaged voters in Uk

Answer 3

Less traditional ways - national trust 2.63 million in 2024 with partisan dealignemnt and a focus on issues due to lack of interest in current systems and main parties

Question 4

Uk doesn’t have engaged voters

Answer 4

Hansard society in 2019 said 22% would not participate in any of the following , safe seats low turnout such as rusholme 40%

Question 5

Uk protect rights

Answer 5

Equality act 2010, representation on parliament - more women then ever 40% so policies can promote equality

Question 6

Uk doesn’t protect rights

Answer 6

Uncodified constitutoon , elections act 2022 needs voter id , public order act , burkean model as MPs can act in own best interest

Question 7

Uk has accountable politicians

Answer 7

Miller case on revoking a50,Benton recall of mos act , liz truss lost seat at 2024 general election after mini budget

Question 8

Uk does not have accounatvkle politicians

Answer 8

Lack of backbench rebellion in supermajrorites and role of whips e .g only 1 labour mp voted against winter fuel cuts

Question 9

Proportional electoral systems reform examples

Answer 9

STV in ni , ams scottis parliament and Greater London assembly

Question 10

Proportional electoral systems reform analysis

Answer 10

Absence of safe and marginal seats meaning lack of wasted votes.more Incentives to vote and individuals feel more represented . Minorities do better

Question 11

House of Lords act 1999 reform evidence

Answer 11

First stage of labours plans , weatherill amendment allowed 92 hereditary peers to remain , second stage still not been reached

Question 12

House of Lords act 1999 reform analysis

Answer 12

Stops seats from being inherited through nepotism meaning candidates have to prove themselves and will most likely be more active in their role as they earned them

Question 13

Recall of MPs act 2015 reform evidence

Answer 13

2024 benson was suspended for 35 days , petition closed ersrly due to resignation, 2023 bone recalled after sexual misconduct

Question 14

Recall of MPs act 2025 reform analysis

Answer 14

Holds MPs to account for wrong doing meaning a fairer gov and reduces corruption . Gives power to people

Question 15

E - democracy reform examples

Answer 15

Sugar tax 150,000 signatures , acted upon and citizen jury for assisted death now in process of becoming an act of parliament

Question 16

E democracy reform analysis

Answer 16

Can lead to direct change , gives public opportunitty to have a direct say , more practical way for political engagement to increase

Question 17

Further use of direct democracy evidence

Answer 17

55% think big political decisions should be decided through referenda(Hansard society) , citizens assemblies have been used in ni effectively on abortion

Question 18

Further use of direct democracy analysis

Answer 18

Increase use will involve electorate directly meaning more representation of views on particular issues , veto referendums would allow groups such as XR to have a larger impact of policy

Question 19

Further use of direct democracy will not help democracy evidence

Answer 19

Voter fatigue seen in Switzerland , populist policies with wealthy interests such as in Brexit , lack of informed electorate and ambiguous questions aswell as parties using opinion polls such as negative immigration before Brexit

Question 20

Further use of democracy will not help democracy analysis

Answer 20

Might discourage voting , lead to illegitimate decisions as public opinion is swayed such as eu isn’t working poster depicting uncontrolled immigration

Question 21

Recall elections needs further reform as MPs aren’t accountable enough evidence

Answer 21

Criteria is too narrow - 2015 recall of MPs act

Question 22

Recall elections need further reform analysis

Answer 22

So restrictive it can hardly be used so MPs cannot be fully held to account for representing them illegitimately etc

Question 23

Recall elections do not need further reform as it would be open to abuse evidence

Answer 23

Clegg said the act strikes a fair balance , petition already enhances accountably shown by its use 6 times out of

Question 24

Further reform of recall elections isn’t needed analysis

Answer 24

Protests against gov could happen with tyranny of minority and also MPs would fail to act in national interests and do what is truly right - MPs have a mandate to make decisions

Question 25

Electoral registration reform is neeeded as automatic registration could boost turnout evidence

Answer 25

2018 ethnic minorities are 10 % more likely to not register

Question 26

Electoral registration reform is neeeded as automatic registration could boost turnout analysis

Answer 26

It would encourage those disadvantaged groups to participate and make a difference on policy that would affect them

Question 27

Electoral registration reform is not needed as public may nit see this as an effective use of finances evidence

Answer 27

Cost time issues and concerns of voter fraud b highlighted by 2022 elections after requiring voter id

Question 28

Electoral registration reform is not needed as public may nit see this as an effective use of finances analysis

Answer 28

Fraudulent votes may increases whilst public purse decreases with no real benefit as voters who are automatically enrolled will still not want to vote , decrease in turnout

Question 29

House of Lords needs further reform as it is unelected and undemocratic evidence

Answer 29

Increase accountability as opinion has nit always been in line with the pubic 2004 delay fox hunting bill

Question 30

House of Lords needs further reform as it is unelected and undemocratic analysis

Answer 30

Increase accountability and legitimacy for their decisions for the second chamber

Question 31

House of Lords does not need further reform due to the fundamental change it would bring , undermining the commons evidence

Answer 31

Lords checks and balances power of commons - amending illegal migration bill 2023 , requiring safe a legal asylum routes

Question 32

House of Lords does not need further reform due to the fundamental change it would bring , undermining the commons analysis

Answer 32

May increase apathy as seen by increasing voter opportunities and lower turnout figures aswell as reducing lords scrutiny powers