UK Politics

REF ~ More democratic (PRO)

Referendums are direct democracy, its purest form, enhancing public participation in the political process

They also often increase participation, with some of the highest levels of political participation being witnessed in referendums.

E.g. 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum 85% of electorate

Often people see politicians as out of touch, many voters took the 2016 EU Referendum as a vote against political elites - all major political parties except UKIP campaigned for remain - showed that representatives often disagreed with voters

REF ~ Undermine parliamentary sovereignty and representative democracy (CON)

Suggests that elected representatives not suitable to fulfil their role, arguably leading to a question around the importance of elections

E.g. Switzerland - Several referendums a year and low turnout in general elections as a result

When referendums need amending in parliament, MPs enacting their role are accused of stifling the will of the people and breeds distrust amongst the electorate. E.g. Brexit

REF ~ Entrench change and prevent unwanted change (PRO)

People’s vote gives a policy more legitimacy, and prevents a successive government from simply passing legislation to reverse it - politically difficult - limits government’s ability to act as an elective dictatorship, fostering a more stable political environment

E.g. 1997 Devolution Referendums - Labour government wanted to entrench the change of devolution which was opposed by Conservatives

REF ~ Held for political party self-interest (CON)

Often referendums are only done as a vote would struggle to pass in parliament due to party divisions and potential rebels, therefore warranting a people’s mandate to unite the party

E.g. 1975 EEC Referendum - Was held to unite the divided opinions on the EEC amongst Labour

REF ~ Heal divisions in society (PRO)

Change enforced through direct government legislation is almost guaranteed to upset one group in a conflict - a vote of both groups can help to unite them or at least quell the violence

E.g. 1998 Good Friday Agreement - led to a power-sharing executive between Unionists and Nationalists

REF ~ Outcomes lack clarity and increase divisions (CON)

Binary nature of referendums may not reflect the complexity of public opinion - and most political debates warrant more than a simple yes or no answer

Typically very small margins between votes arguably leading to increased conflict over a controversial result

E.g. 1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum - 50.3% vs 49.7%

PG ~ Government sympathy:

Most crucial factor affecting a group’s influence on policy, as if the two bodies share an ideology, the government can more easily adapt their policy to appease the pressure group. This often leads to increased collaboration and support for the group's causes.

PG ~ Examples of government sympathy benefitting different groups:

Think Tanks ~ Tax-Payer Alliance - ideologies align with Conservative policies and often granted unofficial opportunities to meet officials. - Influenced Osbourne to introduce the 2-year freeze on public sector pay in 2010 Budget

Pressure Group ~ Trade Unions - Generally make up a majority of Labour party funding and align with their values of solidarity with the working class. Current Labour govt introduced pay rises for teachers, doctors, train drivers + ‘Employment Rights Act’, includes 6.7% minimum wage increase

PG ~ Resources:

Economic resources; group’s importance to the economy; public appearance; expertise.

Economic power most crucial factor - wealth demands high-level of success and large membership giving group a high public profile - Also gives power to hire more qualified individuals who bring in experience and networks

“Revolving door” - Government/Parliament officials leave jobs and are shortly hired by an organisation requiring lobbyists of government

PG ~ Examples of resources benefitting different groups:

Corporations ~ Nissan - Produce 1/3 of cars in the UK and 80% of those pre Brexit were shipped to the EU - Vital economic importance and high profile in manufacturing gave them meetings with top govt officials inc. PM, promising compensation should Brexit damage their profits

Pressure Groups ~ CBI - Represents over 200,000 UK businesses and generates £25mil per year - Benefit from high membership and importance to the economy, PMs and Chancellors attend annually. 2023 Budget - CBI campaigned on reforming childcare, after govt announced working parents could access 30 hours free childcare a week

PG ~ Membership:

Larger memberships typically = greater funding for the group, plus a more well-grounded claim in representing public opinion, as well as more power behind them in the case of direct action

PG ~ Examples of groups benefitting from membership:

Lobbyists ~ The Portman Group - A collection of roughly 20 alcohol-based producers in the UK, great impact on the British economy, as they dominate the market and pay out large amounts of tax. 2007 Labour government went against professional advice of 17 experts to pull their support from an increase in alcohol prices.

Pressure groups ~ Mumsnet - Largest membership of over 8mil, makes it a key target for governments and parties. Successfully persuaded the NHS to reduce the number of free samples offered of formula to encourage breastfeeding.

Party Systems ~ UK as a predominant party system

A system in which there are several parties but only one gets most of the votes, seats, winning election after election

E.g. Japan - Liberal party largest party since 1945

UK:

2/3 20th Century was spent with Conservatives in Government

1979-1990 ~ With good majorities

2010-2024

However

No single party has reached a majority of the popular vote

Labour and Conservatives have both spent similar amounts of time in govt since 1945 (31 vs 49)

Party Systems ~ UK as a two-party system

A system in which there are several parties but two get most of the votes, seats, and alternate between who is in power.

E.g. USA - Power has been between just Democrats and Republicans for decades

UK:

Labour and Conservatives normally hold 50+% of the votes

Have most of the seats - 2024 82%

2017-2024 return of the two-party system

But could argue 2024 suggests a switch to a multi-party system

Party Systems ~ UK as a multi-party system

A system with several parties that have a roughly equal share of the votes and seats - coalition govts

E.g. Italy - roughly 20 parties at a time in parliament

UK:

Increasing amount of smaller parties gaining relevance - especially in regional elections

LibDems in govt 2010-2015

2017-2019 Confidence and Supply agreement with DUP

LibDems in govt with Labour in both Scotland (1999-2007) and Wales (2001-2003)

SNP in Scottish govt since 2007

Plaid Cymru in govt with Labour in Wales (2007-2011)

2025 Council elections swept by Reform

Opinion polls showing growing support for the Green Party

Party Funding ~ Equality of Opportunities (Reform System)

Reforming the system could provide equality of resources among parties and give greater choice to the electorate - strengthening democracy

Under current system, donors disproportionately donate to the larger parties - LAB + CON

30th May - 4th July 2024 ~ Labour received over £9mil in donations, millions more than other parties combined - Same with CON in 2017 & 2019

Could argue that donations don’t equal success (Reform got equal 1.5mil to LDs) but reformed system would allow for purely popularity based voting

Party Funding ~ State system would favour governing party (Currenty System)

If a state-funded system were introduced, it would be catered to favour the governing party that introduces it.

Evidence - Lack of reform under previous govts apart from Blair govt - Limit on undeclared donations and ban on foreign citizens donating

Reforms could render party memberships useless, or encourage parties to pander to the state funding them rather than the electorate

Party Funding ~ Corruption (Reform System)

Evidence has shown that large donations to parties can lead to great deals of influence in the govt, albeit unclear as most deals and lobbying is made under the table in off-the-record meetings

Consistent spike in donations to party at top of the polls in run-up to election - becomes a bidding war for influence in govt

E.g. Cash for peerages scandal - 25 Labour donors received peerages - £1mil per peerage

E.g. Zia Yusuf £200k to RefUK became party chairperson

Party Funding ~ Cash for Peerages improves HOL (Current System)

Many would say that prolific donors gaining peerages improves the HOL

Many donors are incredibly successful individuals specialised in their field - arguably exactly what is looked for in peers

E.g. Lord Sainsbury - Donated £2mil+ to LAB in run up to 2024 GE and gained a peerage - Immensely successful in supermarket business

Party Funding ~ Current systems undermines “one person one vote” (Reform System)

Some would argue that the large sums donated by wealthy individuals gives them so much influence that it undermines a key part of democracy - “one person one vote”

Potentially can swing the hand of an election

E.g. Study from Warwick Uni showed 104 donors donated over £45mil in 2019 alone

Party Funding ~ Donations don’t swing the election (Current System)

Many would say that donations cannot sway the election to such a degree that it undermines democracy

Party donations almost always reflect popularity, one could argue that parties don’t win because they receive donations but rather receive donations because they are winning.

E.g. 9mil surge in donations for Labour in two months before election only reflected opinion polls

Only serve to emphasise the popularity of parties amongst the public

Rights ~ Types of Rights defined

Natural Rights - Rights derived from human nature, universal as they apply to all people, and don’t derive from the laws of a specific society. Often simply referred to as Human Rights

Civil Rights - Based on a society’s customs, laws, and parliamentary statutes. Conferred upon citizens of a particular state

Individual Rights - Belong to an individual person, regardless of what societal group you belong to

Collective Rights - Belong to a group in society or society as a whole. Collective rights in UK are protected through Equality Act 2010

Rights ~