Should There Be Greater Use Of Direct Democracy Within The UK

Question 1

What are advantages of direct democracy?

Answer 1

-improves accountability — elected representatives cannot ignore public wishes + it can provide useful corrective when MPs views are out of step with country at large like brexit
-enhances legitimacy — decisions have direct authority + mandate of the people + when the people vote they may not agree with all policies in party manifesto
-it works — popular with voters + engages them e.g. turnout 2014 Scottish independence referendum was 84.6% + also functions well in other countries like switz
-purer form — allows + trusts whole adult population to have say + decide on issues directly

Question 2

What are disadvantages of direct democracy?

Answer 2

-lack of political education — public not fuller understand what voting on + representatives better placed to analysis + evaluate issues
-populist outcomes prevail — people may vote for populist or emotional short term reasons + not a more long term view + many sources of info are on sided in approach
-it’s impractical — greater use of referendums costly in large + diverse country + time consuming - if public propose legislation could make some aspects of effective gov’t impossible e.g. voters choose lower taxes