(Democracy) Evaluate the view that reforms to the political system have improved the UK’s
system of representative democracy - Parliamentary, Constitutional, Electoral A01
For Against
Parliamentary - House of Lords reform Act 1999, incomplete
- House of Lords reform Act 1999, only 92 - Human rights reform - HRA uncodi ed therefore
hereditary peers remain , make the Lords more does not provide permanent protection -
democratic Shamima Begum
- Parliamentary Act 1911 and 1949
Doesn’t allow for the HOL to propose legislation
Allows HOC to pass through any legislation - have
power to pass/win through PING PONG phase
Constitutional - Brexit - seeking Indepence from EU but has
- Constitutional Reform Act 2005, established the caused far more internal divisions betweeen
independent judiciary and the SC in 2009 parties and between citizens
- Devolution to Scotland NI Wales and England - Devolution - failed to keep peace in NI
- Scotland want more independence
Electoral - Failed AV System referendum
- Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 , GE every 5 - Vote at 16 - only in Scotland, still awaiting for
years further reforms to the voting age across England
- Transparency of Lobbying , Non party - Political instability lack for the opp for gov to
campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act place 5 year plans - Fixed Term Parliament ,
2014 - reduced amount of pressure groups can hasn’t been affective , elections in 15 16 19 - snap
spend in uencing elections by 60% elections - 17 lose gov majority , required DUP
Support
(PG) Evaluate the view that think tanks lobbyists and pressure groups have a little impact on
government decisions / pressure group activity supports democracy and participation
For Against
Pressure group OUTSIDER Pressure Groups INSIDER
- Extinction rebellion , Outsider, Glued to - CBI , BMA, core insider PGs, BMA - increase spending
Speakers Chair in HOC 2022 on the NHS under a plan that would increase spending
- BLM UK, recent murder of unarmed Chris by 3.4% per annum from 2019 to 2024. Introduction of
Kaba 2022, Lack of activity - Outsider PGs the Sugar tax 2018 HOC Health Select Committee took
have little impact evidence , Jamie Oliver, CBI - “voice of business”,
close links to Conservatives -
- Fawcett Group, secured the Sex Discrimination
(Amendment) Act in 2002
- Liberty, independent pressure group - Facial
recognition technology (2020) - Liberty won legal
challenge against police use of oppressive facial
recognition technology - Court of Appeal agreed,
deemed it a breach of privacy rights, data protection
laws and equality laws
Think tanks Think Tanks
- Fabian society have almost no in uence - Fabian Society, lobbied for minimum wage 1906 and
due to Conservative gov universal healthcare system 1911
- Are removed from actual legislative - Adam Smith institute cutting the highest rate of income
process. In uence depends on who is in tax from 83% to 40% in 1980s
power (left or right wing) Fabian society Individuality connected with MPs, direct in uence Blair
weakened power with Conservatives in 1997 to establish Third Way shift
government - Center for Social Justice, Ian Duncan Smith
fl fl flfi fl
system of representative democracy - Parliamentary, Constitutional, Electoral A01
For Against
Parliamentary - House of Lords reform Act 1999, incomplete
- House of Lords reform Act 1999, only 92 - Human rights reform - HRA uncodi ed therefore
hereditary peers remain , make the Lords more does not provide permanent protection -
democratic Shamima Begum
- Parliamentary Act 1911 and 1949
Doesn’t allow for the HOL to propose legislation
Allows HOC to pass through any legislation - have
power to pass/win through PING PONG phase
Constitutional - Brexit - seeking Indepence from EU but has
- Constitutional Reform Act 2005, established the caused far more internal divisions betweeen
independent judiciary and the SC in 2009 parties and between citizens
- Devolution to Scotland NI Wales and England - Devolution - failed to keep peace in NI
- Scotland want more independence
Electoral - Failed AV System referendum
- Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 , GE every 5 - Vote at 16 - only in Scotland, still awaiting for
years further reforms to the voting age across England
- Transparency of Lobbying , Non party - Political instability lack for the opp for gov to
campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act place 5 year plans - Fixed Term Parliament ,
2014 - reduced amount of pressure groups can hasn’t been affective , elections in 15 16 19 - snap
spend in uencing elections by 60% elections - 17 lose gov majority , required DUP
Support
(PG) Evaluate the view that think tanks lobbyists and pressure groups have a little impact on
government decisions / pressure group activity supports democracy and participation
For Against
Pressure group OUTSIDER Pressure Groups INSIDER
- Extinction rebellion , Outsider, Glued to - CBI , BMA, core insider PGs, BMA - increase spending
Speakers Chair in HOC 2022 on the NHS under a plan that would increase spending
- BLM UK, recent murder of unarmed Chris by 3.4% per annum from 2019 to 2024. Introduction of
Kaba 2022, Lack of activity - Outsider PGs the Sugar tax 2018 HOC Health Select Committee took
have little impact evidence , Jamie Oliver, CBI - “voice of business”,
close links to Conservatives -
- Fawcett Group, secured the Sex Discrimination
(Amendment) Act in 2002
- Liberty, independent pressure group - Facial
recognition technology (2020) - Liberty won legal
challenge against police use of oppressive facial
recognition technology - Court of Appeal agreed,
deemed it a breach of privacy rights, data protection
laws and equality laws
Think tanks Think Tanks
- Fabian society have almost no in uence - Fabian Society, lobbied for minimum wage 1906 and
due to Conservative gov universal healthcare system 1911
- Are removed from actual legislative - Adam Smith institute cutting the highest rate of income
process. In uence depends on who is in tax from 83% to 40% in 1980s
power (left or right wing) Fabian society Individuality connected with MPs, direct in uence Blair
weakened power with Conservatives in 1997 to establish Third Way shift
government - Center for Social Justice, Ian Duncan Smith
fl fl flfi fl
