Strengthening Democracy in the UK

Strengthening Democracy in the UK

1. Compulsory Voting

   • It would increase participation in all levels of elections
   • It has been introduced in other countries: Australia and Belgium
   • Create greater legitimacy
   • Extend citizens understanding of politics
   • Restriction of individual freedom and the right to not chose to vote to express their contempt with the political system
   • People may become even more alienated with politics if they are acting against their will
   • Could be seen as a diversion from the real issues in the political system
   • Impractical and costly to prosecute large numbers of people for a small offence

2. Reducing Voting Age

   • Capture the younger generation in politics. Long-term may rise as a consequence
   • Makes youth issues more relevant in elections: education.
   • Increase the voter turnout
   • 16 is the age of consent, right to marry, entering employment and to join the armed forces. Why is voting therefore 18
   • Lowest voting rates are the younger generation so it seems unlikely participation will increase
   • Knowledge and maturity are generally lower at 16 than 18
   • A line always has to be drawn somewhere
   • Under 18s issues are already considered at elections through the concerns of parents

3. Change in the Voting System

   • Revitalise politics if PR was used introduced at Westminster. Make citizens votes equal, increasing voter turnout and enhancing overall democracy and governmental legitimacy
   • There is no agreed electoral system that has universal approval. Also where PR has been introduced it did not deliver massive participation levels

4. Constitutional Reform

   • Reforming the government structure may improve participation and democracy. An elected House of Lords would create legitimacy and greater governmental scrutiny
   • Could undermine Parliament with a lack of decisions being made due to a 'stale-mate'
   • No real evidence vast numbers of people want a reform

5. Initiatives and Recall

   • The use of initiatives and the process of recall could invigorate life into politics and add democratic power to the public
   • Could create political instability where the media could create a puppet out of the electorate

6. Digital Democracy

   • The internet is used to gauge public opinion: e-petitions which parliament consider for discussion if it gains more than 100,000 signitures
   • E-petitions have led to the release of information on the Hillsborough disaster and the debate which led to the EU referendum
   • Involvement of mobile phones could constantly involve the public in decision making at various levels.
   • It could alienate the public further and set the political world into a TV reality show
   • Parliament does not always discuss e-petitions with more than 100,000 signatures
   • This could disenfranchise those without access or understanding of technology
   • Lack of security and unknown threats to digital technology