Political Evidence - Democracy Flashcards
An example of where electronic petitions have been used?
- petition against the introduction of charges for using roads received 1.8 million signatures and the plan was dropped
- petition for a second EU referendum received 3.8 million votes but no referendum was granted
An example of a referendum?
- Scottish independence referendum 2014
- Brexit referendum 2016
Scottish Independence referendum results?
Turnout = 85% Yes = 45% No = 55%
Brexit referendum results?
Turnout 72%
Remain = 48%
Leave = 51%
An example of where the Recall of MPs act has been used?
Christopher Davies, Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire was recalled for providing misleading expenses claims. The recall was successful and the seat was taken over by the Lib Dem’s
An example of where an MP was held to account by their constituency?
The recall of MPs act… Christopher Davies, Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire was recalled for providing misleading expenses claims. The recall was successful and the seat was taken over by the Lib Dem’s
An example of an MP representing the interests of their constituency?
Zac Goldsmith protested against the third runway at Heathrow airport, which was unsuccessful.
An example of a mayor representing a metropolitan authority?
Andy Burnham, in 2020, campaigned for greater economic support for Manchester that had recently been put into tier 3 of coronavirus restrictions. The government increased its spending for tier 3 restrictions.
An example of an MP representing the interests of individual constituents?
David Cameron, MP for Whitney, often held surgeries for the local people in which they could express any issues they had.
An example of when Camerons surgeries proved effective and changed legislation?
A U-turn on legal aids cuts was prompted by a conversation with their constituent that was a solicitor.
Evidence of participation decreasing?
1979 - 1997 = av. 74%
2001 - 68.7 = av. 64%
Low point of 59% in 2001
Evidence to suggest participation is getting better?
2001 = 59% 2019 = 67%
Evidence to suggest falling levels of participation is inline with western democracies?
UK 2017 election = 68%
USA 2016 election = 55%
Turnout of the 2011 AV referendum?
42%
Turnout of the choice of London having an elected mayor?
34%
SNP membership number as of 2019?
125,000
How much has Conservative membership fallen from 1970 to 2016?
28%
Average electoral turnout in London?
45%
Average electoral turnout in the West Midlands?
26.7%
SNP membership in 2013?
25,000
How much has SNP membership increases from 2013 to 2019?
95,000 more members
How many signatures did the e-petition for a second EU referendum receive?
3.8 million
How many signatures did the e-petition on a ban for the introduction of road charges receive?
1.8 million
In what shear was the expenses scandal?
2009
In 2010, what was the total number of members for the three main parties in the UK?
397,000
In 2016, what was the total number of members for the three main parties in the UK?
490,000
What was the MPs expenses scandal?
When MPs used tax payers money to buy things for themselves.
An example of where the British Medical Association used lobbing to exert influence?
The BMA extensively lobbied the government through the Covid19 pandemic to ensure a full range of PPE was supplied to those working on the front line
An example of where Plane Stupid used public campaigning to exert influence?
In July 2015, 13 protestors for Plane Stupid occupied the north runway at Heathrow airport in protest of the plans to build a 3rd runway. The protest resulted in 25 flight cancellations.
An example of where the Countryside Alliance used the courts to exert influence?
Following the decision to ban fox hunting in 2004 with the Fox Hunting Ban, Countryside Alliance took the case too the courts claiming it was a violation of civil liberties for rural communities.
