participation Flashcards
Describe in two ways that individuals can participate in politics
P- Canvassing for a candidate/political party.
E-This involves going door to door to speak with the public in an attempt to increase voter awareness of the party. This may secure more votes for the party as the canvassers will outline and explain the party’s policies to be implemented once elected.
E- Neale Hanvey supporters visited households in the run up to the 2019 General Election resulting in him winning the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat from the Labour party.
P- Voting.
E- UK citizens have the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them in the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and local council.
E- People in Kirkcaldy voted for David Torrance of the SNP to represent them in the Scottish Parliament and Neale Hanvey to represent them in the UK Parliament
Explain in detail why many people chose to vote in elections
P- They want to have a say in who forms the Government. E- People vote for their constituency MP and the party with the most MPs forms the Government.
E-The Conservatives formed the Government after the 2019 General Election as they gained 365 MPs out of 650.
p- many people around the world are denied the right to vote.
E- People around the world are not able to vote at all or are not able to vote in fair elections with a choice of parties.
E- In China people can only vote at village and local level and not for the National People’s Congress and the President.
Explain why some people in the uk choose not to vote in elections
P- They think the voting system is unfair.
E-Using the First Past the Post voting system the person with the most votes in a constituency becomes the MP, even if it is only by one vote.
E- In the 2017 General Election the MP for North East Fife won by only 2 votes (32.9%) so more people didn’t want him as the MP and will see this as unfair.
P-No interest in politics.
E- They may think that all the parties are the same therefore there is no point in voting.
E- They may have voted in the past for different parties, but they didn’t deliver on their promises made before the election.
Explain in detail why woman and minority groups are underrepresented in the uk political system
P- The hours of the UK parliament are not family friendly.
E- Debates in the UK parliament go on until late in the evening such as 11pm.
E- This may put women who have children off standing for election as they will be unable to see their children during the week as they may have to live in London.
P- Male culture at Westminster.
E- The UK Parliament is still seen by many as a club for middle-aged, middle-class white men.
E- There have been many stories of sexual harassment by male MPs therefore this may put women off standing for election as they may not want to work in this male dominated environment.
Explain why minority groups are underrepresented in the uk political system
P- Racist views of voters.
E- There are still some people in this country that would rather vote for a white candidate over a candidate from an ethnic minority background.
E- Therefore, if ethnic minorities put themselves forward for election they may not succeed, especially in constituencies where there is a high percentage of whites, because people may want to vote for someone who is like them.
P -Few role models.
E- The UK Parliament is still dominated by whites and this may put ethnic minorities off standing.
E- Only 65 MPs out of 650 are from an ethnic minority background so minorities may think this isn’t a job for them.
Describe in detail two roles that the house of lords has in the uk government
P -Help make laws.
E- Many Peers are considered experts in their field and therefore bring expertise to debates and committees when assessing Bills. They are also able to spend more time looking at Bills compared to the House of Commons and introduce Bills if they feel there is a need for new legislation.
E- Lord Sugar is a successful businessman and therefore will be an expert in what is useful for businesses.
P -Scrutinise the government. E- Bills have to be debated and passed by both chambers and the Lords can try to force the government to amend their Bills to make them better for people in society.
E- The House of Lord’s defeated the UK Government’s Trade Union Bill.
