Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
The features of direct democracy and representative democracy
Feature Direct Democracy Representative Democracy
Definition Citizens make decisions Citizens elect representatives to
directly on policy issues. make decisions on their behalf.
Examples Referendums (e.g. 2016 EU General elections, parliamentary
Referendum in the UK), systems like the UK Parliament
citizens’ assemblies
Public High – all citizens involved Indirect – participation mainly
Participation in decision-making through voting in elections
Decision-Maki Slower – requires mass Faster – elected representatives
ng Speed consultation for every issue make decisions continuously
Accountability High – decisions directly Varies – representatives can be
reflect the will of the voted out, but may not always
people follow public opinion
Practicality Impractical for large, Practical and efficient for
complex societies modern states
Quality of May lack expertise – Representatives often have
Decisions decisions based on expertise and access to more
emotion or limited information
knowledge
Benefits - Encourages political - Efficient decision-making -
participation - Greater Experts handle complex issues -
legitimacy - Promotes Stable and consistent
transparency governance
,Risks - Risk of populism or - Risk of disengagement or
tyranny of the majority unaccountable elites
Key milestones in the widening of the franchise in relation to class, gender,
ethnicity and age, including the 1832 Great Reform Act and the 1918, 1928 and
1969 Representation of the People Acts.
Act / Event Yea What Changed Impact on Class, Gender, Ethnicity or Age
r
Great Reform Act 183 Extended the vote to some Class: Gave vote to property-owning
2 middle-class men; reduced middle-class men
rotten boroughs
Representation 191 Gave vote to all men over Gender: First time women could vote
of the People Act 8 21 and women over 30 who Class: Still favoured property owners
met property qualifications
Representation 192 Gave equal voting rights to Gender: Achieved full voting equality with
of the People Act 8 women – all women over men
21 could now vote,
regardless of property
Representation 196 Lowered voting age from Age: Recognised political maturity of
of the People Act 9 21 to 18 younger citizens
(Ongoing — Continued debates about Ethnicity: No specific franchise act;
Developments) representation of ethnic improvements through anti-discrimination
minorities and access to and registration efforts
voting
The work of the suffragists/suffragettes to extend the franchise
The suffragists and suffragettes played a vital role in extending the franchise to
women in the UK. The suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett and the National
Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), campaigned through peaceful,
lawful methods such as petitions, lobbying MPs, and public meetings. Their
strategy aimed to show that women could engage responsibly in the political
,process. In contrast, the suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst and the
Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), adopted more militant tactics to
gain attention and pressure the government. Their actions included protests,
hunger strikes, and sometimes property damage. While the suffragettes’
confrontational methods generated publicity, it was the combination of both
approaches—and the broader contribution of women during World War I—that
ultimately helped persuade the government to pass the Representation of the
People Act 1918, which granted limited voting rights to women. Together, both
movements kept women’s suffrage at the forefront of political debate and laid
the foundation for full equal voting rights in 1928.
The work of a current movement to extend the franchise
A current movement working to extend the franchise in the UK is the Votes at 16
campaign. This movement argues that 16- and 17-year-olds should be given the
right to vote in all UK elections. Supporters include organisations like the British
Youth Council, The Electoral Reform Society, and several political parties such
as Labour, the SNP, and the Liberal Democrats. The campaign highlights that
16-year-olds can already pay taxes, join the armed forces, and get married (with
consent), and therefore should have a say in political decisions that affect their
lives. The movement gained momentum after 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed
to vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, where they were praised
for their high engagement and informed participation. While progress has been
made in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can vote in devolved elections,
the campaign continues to push for UK-wide change, arguing that extending the
franchise would enhance political education, improve turnout, and strengthen
democracy.
How different pressure groups exert influence and how their methods and
influence vary in contemporary politics
In contemporary UK politics, pressure groups use a variety of methods to exert
influence, and their effectiveness often depends on their resources, status, and
, access to decision-makers. Broadly, pressure groups can be classified as insider
or outsider groups.
Insider groups, such as the British Medical Association (BMA) or National
Farmers' Union (NFU), work closely with government departments and MPs.
They influence policy through consultations, lobbying, and providing expert
advice. Their access to policymakers gives them a direct route to shaping
legislation, especially on technical or professional matters.
In contrast, outsider groups like Extinction Rebellion or Black Lives Matter UK
lack formal access and rely more on public campaigns, protests, social media
activism, and civil disobedience to raise awareness and apply pressure from
outside the political system. While these methods can generate significant media
coverage and mobilise public opinion, they can also risk alienating the public or
policymakers if seen as too radical.
Methods also vary with the group's resources. Wealthier groups, such as
business lobbying organisations, may fund advertising campaigns, research
reports, or hire professional lobbyists. Smaller or grassroots groups often focus
on online petitions, demonstrations, and coalition-building with other
organisations.
Ultimately, a pressure group’s influence depends on factors such as its public
support, media presence, strategic focus, and whether it aligns with the current
government's agenda. For example, environmental groups have seen increased
influence in recent years due to growing public concern and cross-party interest
in climate change.
Case studies of two different pressure groups, highlighting examples of how
their methods and influence vary
Case Study 1: British Medical Association (BMA) – Insider Group
● Type: Sectional (represents doctors); Insider
The features of direct democracy and representative democracy
Feature Direct Democracy Representative Democracy
Definition Citizens make decisions Citizens elect representatives to
directly on policy issues. make decisions on their behalf.
Examples Referendums (e.g. 2016 EU General elections, parliamentary
Referendum in the UK), systems like the UK Parliament
citizens’ assemblies
Public High – all citizens involved Indirect – participation mainly
Participation in decision-making through voting in elections
Decision-Maki Slower – requires mass Faster – elected representatives
ng Speed consultation for every issue make decisions continuously
Accountability High – decisions directly Varies – representatives can be
reflect the will of the voted out, but may not always
people follow public opinion
Practicality Impractical for large, Practical and efficient for
complex societies modern states
Quality of May lack expertise – Representatives often have
Decisions decisions based on expertise and access to more
emotion or limited information
knowledge
Benefits - Encourages political - Efficient decision-making -
participation - Greater Experts handle complex issues -
legitimacy - Promotes Stable and consistent
transparency governance
,Risks - Risk of populism or - Risk of disengagement or
tyranny of the majority unaccountable elites
Key milestones in the widening of the franchise in relation to class, gender,
ethnicity and age, including the 1832 Great Reform Act and the 1918, 1928 and
1969 Representation of the People Acts.
Act / Event Yea What Changed Impact on Class, Gender, Ethnicity or Age
r
Great Reform Act 183 Extended the vote to some Class: Gave vote to property-owning
2 middle-class men; reduced middle-class men
rotten boroughs
Representation 191 Gave vote to all men over Gender: First time women could vote
of the People Act 8 21 and women over 30 who Class: Still favoured property owners
met property qualifications
Representation 192 Gave equal voting rights to Gender: Achieved full voting equality with
of the People Act 8 women – all women over men
21 could now vote,
regardless of property
Representation 196 Lowered voting age from Age: Recognised political maturity of
of the People Act 9 21 to 18 younger citizens
(Ongoing — Continued debates about Ethnicity: No specific franchise act;
Developments) representation of ethnic improvements through anti-discrimination
minorities and access to and registration efforts
voting
The work of the suffragists/suffragettes to extend the franchise
The suffragists and suffragettes played a vital role in extending the franchise to
women in the UK. The suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett and the National
Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), campaigned through peaceful,
lawful methods such as petitions, lobbying MPs, and public meetings. Their
strategy aimed to show that women could engage responsibly in the political
,process. In contrast, the suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst and the
Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), adopted more militant tactics to
gain attention and pressure the government. Their actions included protests,
hunger strikes, and sometimes property damage. While the suffragettes’
confrontational methods generated publicity, it was the combination of both
approaches—and the broader contribution of women during World War I—that
ultimately helped persuade the government to pass the Representation of the
People Act 1918, which granted limited voting rights to women. Together, both
movements kept women’s suffrage at the forefront of political debate and laid
the foundation for full equal voting rights in 1928.
The work of a current movement to extend the franchise
A current movement working to extend the franchise in the UK is the Votes at 16
campaign. This movement argues that 16- and 17-year-olds should be given the
right to vote in all UK elections. Supporters include organisations like the British
Youth Council, The Electoral Reform Society, and several political parties such
as Labour, the SNP, and the Liberal Democrats. The campaign highlights that
16-year-olds can already pay taxes, join the armed forces, and get married (with
consent), and therefore should have a say in political decisions that affect their
lives. The movement gained momentum after 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed
to vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, where they were praised
for their high engagement and informed participation. While progress has been
made in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can vote in devolved elections,
the campaign continues to push for UK-wide change, arguing that extending the
franchise would enhance political education, improve turnout, and strengthen
democracy.
How different pressure groups exert influence and how their methods and
influence vary in contemporary politics
In contemporary UK politics, pressure groups use a variety of methods to exert
influence, and their effectiveness often depends on their resources, status, and
, access to decision-makers. Broadly, pressure groups can be classified as insider
or outsider groups.
Insider groups, such as the British Medical Association (BMA) or National
Farmers' Union (NFU), work closely with government departments and MPs.
They influence policy through consultations, lobbying, and providing expert
advice. Their access to policymakers gives them a direct route to shaping
legislation, especially on technical or professional matters.
In contrast, outsider groups like Extinction Rebellion or Black Lives Matter UK
lack formal access and rely more on public campaigns, protests, social media
activism, and civil disobedience to raise awareness and apply pressure from
outside the political system. While these methods can generate significant media
coverage and mobilise public opinion, they can also risk alienating the public or
policymakers if seen as too radical.
Methods also vary with the group's resources. Wealthier groups, such as
business lobbying organisations, may fund advertising campaigns, research
reports, or hire professional lobbyists. Smaller or grassroots groups often focus
on online petitions, demonstrations, and coalition-building with other
organisations.
Ultimately, a pressure group’s influence depends on factors such as its public
support, media presence, strategic focus, and whether it aligns with the current
government's agenda. For example, environmental groups have seen increased
influence in recent years due to growing public concern and cross-party interest
in climate change.
Case studies of two different pressure groups, highlighting examples of how
their methods and influence vary
Case Study 1: British Medical Association (BMA) – Insider Group
● Type: Sectional (represents doctors); Insider
