Key features of the UK's Democratic System

Democratic Elections
1. Electoral Commission - 2000
  1. Ensure that all UK Elections are free and fair
2. 1872 - Secret Ballot
3. 1948 - One Person / One Vote
4. 1928 - Universal Sufferage
  1. Non-Voters
  2. Unfranchised
    1. Homeless
    2. Imprisoned
    3. Mentally Incapable
  3. Timeline to Universal Sufferhe
    1. 1832 - Middle Class Men
    2. 1867 - Skilled Manual Labourer
    3. 1884 - Male Householders
    4. 1918 - Men 21+ Women 30 +
    5. 1928 - Equal Voting Rights
    6. 1969 - Voting age - 18
5. Electoral Choice
  1. Must be completion
  2. Two Party System
Parliament
1. Heart of Democratic Process
2. Two Houses
  1. Lords (Red)
    1. Inherited or Given
      1. Not elected
      2. Weakens representative role
  2. Commons (Green)
    1. Elected
3. Main link between Politics and People
  1. Debating chamber for the nation
4. Party Discipline
  1. MPs not allowed to make judgement
    1. Must toe the line
      1. Chief Whip
5. Executive Control
  1. Weakens scrutiny because of Majority Control.
Pressure Groups
1. Political voice to Minorities
  1. Aren't satisfied with political norms
2. Vehicle for political participation
3. Method to exert political influence
  1. May concentrate power rather than distribute it
4. Undermine Parliament
5. Leaders are unaccountable
Referendums
1. Initially Un-Patriotic
2. Diminishes Parliament
3. Constitutional Reforms
4. Public take control of decisions
  1. Political Responsibility
    1. Burden?
5. One issue
  1. Yes/No vote
  2. Usually of severe national importance
6. EU Referendum
  1. Happened Previously
  2. Promised again
    1. 2017
EU Parliament
1. Exert popular influence on EU
2. Direct election to EU Parliament
3. Proportional Electoral System
  1. Better chance for minority Parties
4. Democratic Deficit
  1. Little democratic influence
5. 'Threat to UK Sovereignty'
6. Taking more interest in UK Politics
Devolution
1. Constituent nations of UK given a voice
2. Began in '98
3. Redefined Representative Democracy
  1. Allowed for the discussion of 'national issues'
4. Hasn't done much for England
5. Still only limited
  1. Some still made in Westminster and Whitehall
6. Widened Political Participation

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Key features of the UK's Democratic System

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	Created by Dan Easterbrook almost 11 years ago