Positive aspects of UK democracy

Question 1

Define ‘purdah’

Answer 1

The period before a vote or election where local councils or government are not allowed to make any statements or proposals that could affect the way in which people vote

Question 2

How long is the typical purdah?

Answer 2

4-6 weeks

Question 3

Why is it beneficial that the UK has a wide variety of elections?

Answer 3

• It allows citizens to choose representatives for a range of local and national bodies
• Provides many opportunities for the public to participate in democracy
• Allows people to be educated by political campaigns

Question 4

Why are UK elections free from governement manipulation?

Answer 4

Because they are carried out by the Electoral Comission, which is independent of any political party.

Question 5

List some of the measures in place to make sure that elections are fair

Answer 5

• There are laws in place about campiagning in and around ballot stations on the day of an election
• There are campaign spending limits
• There is a ban on campaigning during the purdah
• Broadcast campaigning is restricted for each party by ensuring that party broadcasts are proportionate to previous electoral support

Question 6

How was the Electoral Comission created?

Answer 6

It was created in 2000 by the political parties, elections and referendums act

Question 7

List 5 of the resonsibilities of the Electoral Comission

Answer 7

• Registering political parties
• Ensuring political parties comply with legal requirements
• Reviewing and reporting on how well elections are run
• Advising parliament and being consulted on changes to election laws and regulations
• Educating the public on how to register to vote and on the importance of registering

Question 8

What was the historic low turnout in 2001?

Answer 8

59% - this has been increasing steadily ever since

Question 9

What was the turnout at the Scottish independence referendum?

Answer 9

84.4%

Question 10

What was the turnout for the Brexit referendum?

Answer 10

72%

Question 11

What is the benefit of the increasing participation rates in referendums and elections?

Answer 11

It means more people are taking part in the political process, which increases democratic legitimacy

Question 12

Who has the franchise in the UK?

Answer 12

Everyone over the age of 18 who is not a prisoner, mentally incapable or a peer, on the basis of ‘one person, one vote’

Question 13

Where are over 16s now able to vote in the UK?

Answer 13

• Scotland (since 2015)
• Wales (since 2019)

Question 14

How many parties were in the commons following the 2019 general election?

Answer 14

10 (not counting Sinn Fein because they refuse to take up their seats)

Question 14

How many parties were in the commons following the 2019 general election?

Answer 14

10 (not counting Sinn Fein because they refuse to take up their seats)

Question 15

What is the benefit of a wide variety of parties participating in elections?

Answer 15

It provides a wide range of options for voters with different visions for the country, as well as a greater degree of representation. Also, with so many parties contesting elections and scrutinising each other, the profile of political issues are raised, creating a better informed and educated public

Question 16

What is a pressure group?

Answer 16

A group of like-minded individuals or come together on the basis of shared interests or a commonly held cause in order to put pressure on policy makers

Question 17

How can pressure groups provide an alternative means of representation?

Answer 17

They can pick up small or minority issues that might not concern a majority of the electorate or the parties seeking majority support

Question 18

What is the benefit to pressure groups being legally equal to one another?

Answer 18

It enables the government/public to make a balanced and informed decision about who to support

Question 19

What do pressure groups do?

Answer 19

• Investigate issues
• Raise public awareness
• Seek to influence the public
• Try to persuade the government to take their views into consideration

Question 20

Parliament holds legal sovereignty. What does this mean?

Answer 20

This means that MPs hold the ultimate power in making, repealing and amending laws

Question 21

What is the benefit of the government needing the consent of the commons on issues like spending and taxation?

Answer 21

It means they must gain the indirect consent of the people

Question 22

What has devolution done?

Answer 22

Allowed constituent parts of the UK to make decisions on a local basis `

Question 23

What is the benefit to devolution?

Answer 23

• Representatives are closer to the community they serve, which ensures better quality representation
• Ensures that policies are appropriate to the area, rather than being imposed by a remote and disconnected central government

Question 24

Why do many see the UK as achieving a peaceful transition of power?

Answer 24

The UK is remarkably conflict free

Question 25

Why do many see the UK as providing free elections?

Answer 25

• Nearly everyone over 18 can vote
• There is little electoral fraud
• There are strong legal safeguards in place

Question 26

Why do many see the UK as providing fair results?

Answer 26

There are proportional representation systems in devolved and local bodies

Question 27

Why can the UK be seen as providing widespread participation?

Answer 27

• There is extensive membership of free and active pressure groups
• There is a growing level of participation in e-democracy

Question 28

Why do many see the UK as providing freedom of expression?

Answer 28

• The press and broadcast media are free from government intervention
• Broadcast media maintains political neutrality
• There is free access to the internet

Question 29

Why do many see the UK as providing freedom of association?

Answer 29

• There are no restrictions on legal organisations
• People can organise and instigate public protests

Question 30

How does the UK protect civil rights and liberties?

Answer 30

• The UK signed the ECHR and signed up to the ECHR to enforce it
• The house of lords and judiciary both protect rights

Question 31

How does the UK uphold the rule of law?

Answer 31

Strictly upheld by the independent judiciary

Question 32

What are the strengths of the UK constitution?

Answer 32

Parliament and the courts ensure the government acts within the law

Question 33

What is the point in having a purdah?

Answer 33

Purdah, which is derived from the Persian word for “veil” or “curtain,” refers to a period of time before an election during which certain restrictions are placed on the government and civil servants. It aims to maintain impartiality and prevent the misuse of public resources for political gain during the electoral process. The primary purposes of purdah include:

Ensuring Fairness: Purdah aims to create a level playing field for all political parties contesting an election by preventing the ruling party from making policy announcements or using government resources to gain an advantage.

Maintaining Neutrality: It helps ensure that civil servants and government officials do not engage in activities that could be seen as biased towards any particular political party. This neutrality helps maintain public confidence in the fairness of the electoral process.

Avoiding Controversies: Purdah helps prevent controversies or accusations of using public resources or taxpayer funds for political purposes. It aims to uphold the integrity of the democratic process by ensuring that public institutions remain neutral and impartial during elections.

Overall, purdah seeks to uphold democratic principles of fairness, transparency, and neutrality by imposing restrictions on government activities in the run-up to elections, thereby allowing for a free and fair electoral process.