EVALUATE THE VIEW THAT THE UK IS IN URGENT NEED OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM

Electoral systems - disagree

FPTP is reliable and consistently produces strong majorities with a clear mandate to govern - only one post-war coalition in 2010

FPTP also keeps extremism at bay - in 2010 GE the BP got 500,000 votes nationwide but didn't get a seat in HoC due to a lack of concentrated support

Electoral systems - agree

Replacing FPTP with a system of PR more faithfully reflects how people vote. E.g. AMS in Wales has 40 FPT seats and 20 party list seats. This ensures the benefits of FPTP by maintaining a link with a local MP, whilst also making the results more proportional.

HoL reform - disagree

The HoL currently has experts from a wide range of industries who are able to effectively scrutinise legislature, for example the current government's Rwanda bill was subject to in depth scrutiny by the HoL before being passed.

HoL reform - agree

The unelected second chamber arguably undermines democracy as the HoL doesn't have a mandate from the people. On account of this, the HoL is relatively lacking in power e.g. the parliament act ensures that Lords can't veto bills (last used in 2004 Hunting Act) and also the Salisbury Convention ensures that Lords don't vote down legislation promised in the govt's manifesto. To combat this the reforms proposed by Lord Burns should be implemented e.g. 15 year non-renewable terms to increase legitimacy of chamber

Participation - disagree

Participation in politics is demonstrably high, for example the Labour party is the largest party in Europe with a membership of around 500,000 in 2019.

Participation - agree

Turnout is consistently low and many voters feel apathetic and disillusioned with the political class.

• Turnout in 2019 was 67% compared to 76% in 1979, demonstrating that the system is no longer fit for purpose and urgent reforms are needed. For example, the requirement for Voter ID is a barrier, particularly to marginalised groups who are less likely to have photo ID.