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Describe the main features of the representative democracy in the UK today. [ 10 marks]

In the UK today Member of Parliament (M.Ps) are elected every 5 years under the Fixed-Term Act (2011) by the people to represent them in Parliament. This means that people do not have to make political decisions themselves, but choose an individual they trust to make the decisions on their behalf. For example, most people would decide to vote for The Conservative Party then The Labour Party because a lot of people have said that Jeremy Corbyn has proved that he is dishonest through his change in statistical strategy a few weeks prior to the General Election 2019.

The representatives usually belong to an organised political party. For instance, The Labour Party. These parties publish their aims and intentions in manifestos, so people know who to choose based on the political agenda that is very similar to their own ideals and views.

The representatives are chosen through free and fair elections. This shows that the representative is seen to hold legitimate authority. To give an example, The election of the Conservative Party in 2015, with a clear majority, resulted in the party holding authority to their decision to hold a referendum on leaving the E.U.in 2016. Therefore, the ruling party seen as having authority from the people.

In the UK today power is concentrated in office holders. This seen through the role delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is in charge of the economy.

The representative are held to account in three main ways. The M.Ps know that they will not be re-elected in future elections if they do not carry out the will of the people who chose them. For example,

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