UK Politics (1) - Political Participation in the UK Flashcards
Franchise…
The right to vote in public elections
Lobbying…
To actively promote causes and interests
How is it possible to participate in the UK’s democracy?
Stand for public office
Party membership
Pressure group membership
Digital activism
Voting
A party member who is fully engaged with the party
Activist
Party membership has…
Declined
Examples that buck the trend of party membership decline…
SNP (2014 referendum)
UKIP (2015 -general election)
Labour(2015 -2017 - Corbyn)
E-petitions and social media campaigns are examples of…
Digital democracy
Party membership has been partly replaced by…
Pressure group membership
Tactics used by pressure groups include
Lobbying
Campaigning
Donations to political parties
Media campaigns
Celebrity endorsements
Illegal activity
Arguments for votes at 16
Young people better informed
Vested interests in issues
Pay tax so why not vote?
May encourage 18-30 voting
Arguments against votes at 16
Too young to make judgments
Issues too complex
Few pay tax
Too radical
What year was the Great Reform Act
1832 - Franchise extended to anyone whose property attracted a rent of £10 per year - Franchise up to 6%.
What year was the Second Reform Act
1867 - Extends franchise to around 2 million. Those without property, tenants and women excluded
What year was the Ballot Act?
1872 - Introduction of the secret ballot - votes can no longer be bought.
What year was the Third Reform Act?
1884 - Extended the franchise to most working men. Around 60% of men over 21 can vote