Democracy and participation my beloved

Do britons support a change to pr?

YES

72% Green

67& Reform

39% Tory

61% lib dem

53% Labour

No- FPTP

42% Conservative voters

Signifcances

73% of reform voters believeing a change to pr would have a better election result

FPTP saw the 4 million votes for them result in 5 seats

participation in scotland - significance

16 to 17yr old voters higher turnout than 18-24.

16-17 - 84%

18-24 -54%

direct v representative democracy

direct democracy - referendums, higher turnout scotland 84.4% EU 72.2% \

So yay bc promote stuff

but depends on the question

AV referendum - 42.25 turnout

if people don’t understaand the question disengage entirely or make emotionally charged decisions not based on open information

2016 eu referendum highest search was what is the eu the day post the vote

Lack of clear info means people either not show up or they do show up and make uninformed votes

Rep

Good qualified candidates so people don’t need to be as personally invested in the politcal system

Accountability measures - open media, pmqs select committees

But

Ministerial responsibility may fail - pritti patel

back benchers don’t get to ask questions its a vote

whips

candidates may not personally have dedicated expertise in the area elected - matt hancock as health minister

Pressure groups? effective in Uk democracy

Y- Get changes to key legislation - BMA getting the legislation on smoking changed in 2007

Y- Can raise awareness to key political issues - Just stop oil

But depends on their work and position- insider status and if they’re promotional or sectional

Political party member levels 2022

Labour 432,000

Conservative party- 122000

Lib dem 74,000

Snp 72,000

Green Party- 54,000

Levels 2024

Labour 309,000

Conservatives 131 680

Reform +220000

Lib dems 90,000

Green 60,000+

Snp 58,940