The case for reform of the UK democratic system 1.1 Flashcards
Positive democratic features
-Free Media
-Independent judiciary
-devolved governments
-fair free elections
-wide range of political parties and pressure groups
what is a democratic deficit
lack in democracy, responsibility and accountability
what is argued in the case that ‘the UK political system is
not demographic’
-minority viewpoints over-ridden
-House of Lords lacks democracy
-lack protection of human rights (governments ‘derogate from’ the article)
-control sections of media by wealthy individuals
voter turnout for three elections
before 1997 = 76%
1997 = 72%
2010 = 65%
what is the average turnout for local elections
(2016 may) = 33.8%
CUMBRIA - 63.8 -> 51.3 in by-election
what percentage of electorate are party members
1983 - 3.8 %
now - 1.6 %
how many conservative party members are/were there
mid 1990’s - 400,000
2016 - 150,000
how many labour party members are/were there
1997 - 190,000
2016 - 515,000
how many lib dems party members are/were there(2000 & 2017)
early 2000’s - 49,000
2017 - 82,000
why do we have a participation crisis
- government out of touch
-‘hapathy’ (happy with the status quo)
what was the Scottish Independence referendum turnout
84.6%
what was the 2016 EU referendum turnout
72.2%
2009 parliamentary expenses scandals
living expenses were way over budget, and allllllllllll the taxpayers moneywere used for unneccessary things ( DUCK POND)
what should be done to reform the system
-change voting day from Thursday to weekend
-different polling stations
-voting over several days
-(allow 16 year old to vote)
why should voting be compulsory
-voting affects everyone’s life
-more representative
-more inclusive manifestos
-‘none of the above’ box could happen
