Unit 1 Democracy Flashcards
Reserved Powers Of the Uk parliament
Immigration,Defence,Foreign Policy
Prime Ministers Powers
Appointing the Cabinet, international role , cabinet chairperson
Pressure Group Methods used
Peaceful demonstrations (marches and protest rally’s)
Setting up petitions
Direct action
Reasons for people joining pressure groups
Many people feel strongly about a cause and wish for change in government policy.
Many people feel collective action is more effective than individual action.
People may have been personally effected by by the issue therefore want to join pressure groups regarding it.
Uk General Election Campaign methods
Parties produce election leaflets.
Parties canvass voters.
Parties use the media.
Reasons why some UK general election campaigns are more successful than others
A party’s election campaign is more likely to be successful if they have popular policies.
A party’s election campaign is more likely to be successful if they have a popular leader.
A party’s election campaign is more likely to be successful if they have more members and money.
A party’s election campaign is more likely to be successful if they positive media coverage.
Advantages of first past the post
Fptp is a very simple and straightforward system
FPTP makes it more difficult for smaller parties with extreme views to win seats.
FPT is usually results in a one-party majority govt.
Disadvantages of first past the post
Under FTP the % of seats is not proportional to the % of votes.
FPTP limits voter choice as in many constituencies it is either a foregone conclusion which party will win or at
best a ‘two-horse race’.
FPTP usually results in one party governing with a majority of seats despite winning a minority of votes.
Role of the media in UK democracy
The can media try to influence political attitudes.
The media helps to inform the public on political issues.
The media acts as a ‘public watchdog’.
Immigration example
E.g. the Illegal Migration Bill 2023 is in the process of being passed by the UK Parliament which will
aims to make it easier to detain and remove illegal immigrants, including asylum seekers.
Defence example
Eg. in 2021 the UK Parliament
voted to increase the UK’s nuclear warhead stockpile.
Foreign Policy Example
E.g. the UK Parliament had the final say on the UK’s withdrawal from
the EU, and has voted to give strategic and financial support to Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine War.
Power of appointment example
E.g. in 2022 Rishi Sunak appointed his close ally Dominic Raab as Justice Secretary
who had been a vocal supporter of Sunak during the Conservative Party leadership contest.
International role example
E.g. in 2022 Rishi Sunak met with other
world leaders to reach international agreements on climate change at COP-27.
Cabinet Chairperson example
E.g. in 2022 Rishi Sunak has held Cabinet discussions to make decision on how to deal with the cost of living crisis.
Marches and protests example
E.g. in 2019, a million people
attended a demonstration organised by the People’s Vote Campaign calling for a second referendum on Brexit.
Petition example
Eg. in 2019, the
largest petition ever in the UK was signed by 6 million people calling on the govt. to stop Brexit.
Direct action example
E.g.
in 2019, Extinction Rebellion held several non-violent direct action demonstrations such as blocking the runway
at Heathrow Airport.
People feel strong about a cause example
E.g. someone who strongly believes that Britain should give up its oil use may wish
join JUST STOP OIL
Collective action believer example
Eg. thousands
of people have joined together to participate in the Extinction Rebellion protests - and their collective voice
has placed the issue climate change up the political agenda.
People personally effected example
Eg many black people participated in the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations as they had been personally effected by racism and racial inequality’s
Election leaflets examples
E.g. in the 2019 GE, the Conservatives distributed leaflets to every household in Britain
promoting their main policy of “getting Brexit done”.
Parties canvass voters example
Eg. SNP activists in the Falkirk area went door-to-door canvassing in communities like
Denny and Larbert to persuade voters to re-elect Johnny McNally, and promote the SNP’s main policy of holding another independence referendum.
Parties using the media Example
Eg. in the 2019 GE, the Conservatives made dozens Facebook posts criticising Labour’s
leader, Jeremy Corbyn
Popular Policies example
E.g. in the 2019 GE,
Conservatives’ main policy to “get Brexit done” was popular with most voters across the UK.
Popular leader example
E.g. in
the 2019 GE, Boris Johnson was a more popular leader than Jeremy Corbyn.
A parties success depends More members and money example
E.g, in the 2019 GE, the Conservatives spent over €1 million on its Facebook campaign alone.
A party’s election campaign is more likely to be successful if they positive media coverage. Example
E.g. in the 2019 GE, the Conservatives were supported by most of the national
newspapers, including The Sun, Britain’s most read newspaper.
FPTP keeps parties with extremist views out Example
E.g. in the 2010
GE. BNP won over 500,000 votes but no seats, whereas if a proportional electoral system had been used they would’ve won 12 seats
FPTP is usually resulting in a one party majority government
E.g. 18 of the 21
post-war UK GEs produced a one-party majority govt. including in the 2019 GE when the Conservatives won an 80 seat majority despite only having 44% votes which allowed the govt to get their brexit deal passed
FPTP Seats aren’t proportional to the number of votes they get .
Eg in the 2019 GE the Lib Dems won 11.5% of the votes despite only winning 11 seats which is <2% of the seats in parliament
FPTP Limiting voter choice example
Eg in the 2019 GE many voters in north fife who normally vote conservative voted Lib Dems to help defeat the SNP MP
Ftpt ends up with a party governing disadvantage example
Eg the conservatives won 80 seats despite only having 44% of the votes
Media can try influence political attitudes example
E.g. young voters may have been influenced by Stormy’s support for Labour on social media in the 2019 GE.
Media helps inform public on political issues example
E.g. an average of 6 million people watched
the leaders’ debates before the 2019 GE.
Media acts a “public watchdog” example
E.g. several newspapers published details of parties in Downing St. during lockdown.
Roles of MPs in a constituency
• Replying to letters/emails from their constituents.
• Holding surgeries, where constituents can come and meet the MP to discuss a particular concern.
• Attend meetings with community groups, local pressure groups and local businesses.
• Attend events such as the opening of a new hospital or visiting a local school.
• Using the media to highlight issues of concern or to interact with constituents.
• E.g. John McNally writes a weekly column in the Falkirk Herald, and regularly updates his Twitter account.
