UNIT 1 The Franchise + Suffrage Flashcards
What was the most relevant part of the Magna Carta for UK democracy?
- No official shall place a man on trial without producing credibly witnesses to the truth of it.
- No freeman shall be seized or imprisoned… except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.
- To no one delay or any right of justice.
Why did the English Civil War result in changes in the UK democracy?
Throughout the war, parliament asserted itself to be the primary lawmaker against the divine right, which was autocratic.
Violence from the civil war bore democratic movements e.g. levellers when all men had the same right to elect their government.
The Glorious revolution 1688 - where James II and Parliament invited William of Orang to become the king. Orange’s cooperation with the 1689 Bill of Rights is a significant development of our constitutional monarchy.
What does Franchise mean?
extending suffrage to the point of universality. Women were granted suffrage in 1918. Those who are mentally incapable, imprisoner or a member of the Lords cannot vote.
Reform Acts that widened the franchise and extended the vote:
Reform Acts were founded on the principle that the right to vote depended on the ownership of property.
Property owners had a share in society and so they had earned the right to vote by the beginning of the 20th century. only 40% could vote because of this.
1832 - Enfranchised some members of the middle class.
1867 + 1884 - opened the vote for working classes in the boroughs and then eventually the counties.
What’s the difference between the suffragettes and suffragists?
Suffragists? National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, established by Millicent Fawcett to lobby parliament to encourage extension of the franchise. Efforts were calm and inefficient.
Suffragettes? 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst established the Women’s Social and Political Union, ‘Deeds not words’. These women engaged in militant, violent, disruptive action so they were more likely to be imprisoned.
When did women get the vote?
1918 Representation of the People - recognised women war effort (1 million British lives lost) whilst men were away, women over 30 and men over 21.
Such hard work - The Cat and Mouse Act passed (early release of prisoners bc they didn’t eat to the point of death) only to be arrested when they were physically stronger again.
1928 Representation of the People - extended the vote to men and women aged 21 and over - UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
What did the 1969 Representation of the People Act do?
Lowered voting age from 21 to 18.
Younger people had responsibilities - this was not a controversial thing.
16 SHOULD BE THE AGE
YES because we should enfranchise them when they’re still party of the community
NO because the cohort is susceptible to manipulation
It would encourage them to participate in their duties as a citizen earlier which would benefit society.
Social media pressure and family influence can easily prevent accurate voting - objectification of Tories since the 2016 election.
16 SHOULD BE THE AGE
YES because they can use this as an opportunity to positively campaign.
NO because voter turnout among the 18-24 cohort is lower than other cohorts.
UK Youth Parliament has been praised by John Bercow. In 2017, 955,000 young people aged 11-18 decided what the Youth Parliament would debate. Make your Mark campaign.
Isle of Man = turnout has declined from 55% in 2006, to 46% in 2016.
16 SHOULD BE THE AGE
YES because 16/17 year olds can pay taxes, work, join the army and can get married.
NO because the age of responsibility is not 18
Their Scottish peers can vote, but they cannot, what does that say about English democracy?
Contradictory to other responsibilities, many are reserved for 18 year olds. Smoking, sex, drinking, driving, etc.
PRISONERS SHOULD VOTE
YES barring prisoner suffrage = harms rehabilitation.
NO because rehabilitation does not require suffrage
Taking their vote away would discourage them from being law abiding prisoners - Prison Reform Trust.
Suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst = vote with a capital V - voting is about having a well acknowledged position in society, prisoners should not have the same position.
PRISONERS SHOULD VOTE
YES because it contradicts the EUCHR.
NO because it undermines the consequences of the prisoner’s crimes.
John Hirst Case 2001-2004, European Court of Human Rights declared that suspending prisoner voting contradicts article 3 of the first protocol of the EUCHR which states that everybody has a right to vote by secret ballot in free elections held in regular intervals.
UK 75% inmates reoffend in 9 years of release
PRISONERS SHOULD VOTE
YES because UK is out of line with most of the other EU countries.
NO because the public are reluctant and don’t feel safe.
Joint Committee on Human Rights - the UK is one out of 12 countries where prisoner’s voting rights are removed.
The public are reluctant and feel unsafe that prisoners may be able to participate politically. 2019 Scottish Government completed a consultation on prisoner voting - 1/3 voted against it.
COMPULSORY VOTING
NO because it would reduce the enthusiasm significantly
YES because compulsory voting encourages higher turnout
politicians engage the public through their manifestos and election campaigns. Politicians would have the incentive to neglect their relationship with the voters.
Australia compulsory voting = since 1924 and 2016, federal elections, 91% of the electorate votes, legitimacy falls if it’s below 70%.
COMPULSORY VOTING
NO because those who neglect their vote won’t educate themselves properly.
YES because legal requirements offer an educational role.
Undermines the legitimacy of the result because people will not make educated decisions. Compulsory voting encourages coercion and media manipulation of individuals.
If people are forced to make a decision, then they would attempt to engage themselves e.g. 40,000 members are part of the Campaign to Preserve Rural England
