Democracy and Participation - evidence Flashcards
(106 cards)
What was the voter turnout and result of the 2016 Brexit referendum?
Turnout was 72%, with 51.89% voting to leave the European Union. Over 33 million people voted.
Why was the original wording of the Brexit referendum question changed?
The Electoral Commission advised changing it to avoid bias. The original Yes/No format was replaced with “Remain a member of the EU” or “Leave the EU” to ensure neutrality.
What does the term ‘Bregret’ refer to?
Bregret’ is the regret over voting for Brexit. A March 2024 poll found 57% believed leaving the EU was the wrong decision, showing a weakness in direct democracy.
How many people signed the 2019 petition to revoke Article 50 and stop Brexit?
Over 6.4 million people signed the petition, reinforcing evidence of ‘Bregret’.
What was the total cost of the 2016 EU referendum?
The referendum cost £129.1 million, raising concerns about whether direct democracy is worth the financial cost, especially since referendums are not legally binding.
What controversial statement was displayed on the Vote Leave campaign bus?
The bus claimed, “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead.” This was misleading and became a symbol of misinformation in the campaign.
What did Dominic Cummings admit about the £350 million NHS claim?
He admitted that the claim was crucial to winning votes and said Remain might have won without it. This highlights how emotive misinformation influenced voter behaviour.
Why does the death of 2 million Brexit voters affect perceptions of the referendum?
It suggests that public opinion has shifted, and raises concerns about the timeless validity of referendums—do they represent society as it evolves?
What was the turnout of the 2011 AV Referendum, and what was the result?
Turnout was 42.2%. 67.9% voted against changing the voting system to Alternative Vote, showing apathy toward electoral reform.
What was the turnout for the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?
Turnout was 84.6%. 44.7% voted Yes to independence, and 55.3% voted No, showing high engagement in major constitutional issues.
What was the result of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement referendum?
With 82% turnout, the referendum passed, helping to end the conflict in Northern Ireland—a clear success of direct democracy.
What does the low turnout of the 2011 AV referendum suggest about voter attitudes?
With 42% turnout, it showed voter apathy and that people are less engaged in abstract or complex issues.
How many people were members of the Conservative and Labour parties by 2025?
Conservatives: 131,680 (Nov 2024); Labour: 309,000 (Feb 2025); suggests lower engagement compared to historical highs (2.3 million in the 1950s).
What does the 2025 recall of Labour MP Mike Amesbury show about representative democracy?
It shows that MPs can be held accountable via the Recall of MPs Act 2015, strengthening public trust despite scandals.
What happened in the by-election following Amesbury’s recall?
Labour lost the seat to Reform candidate Sarah Pochin by just 6 votes—demonstrating electoral volatility and potential rise of smaller parties.
What was the voter turnout in Switzerland in comparison to the UK?
Swiss turnout for referenda and elections is under 50%, while UK turnout was 67% in 2019 and 60% in 2024, indicating apathy from overuse of direct democracy.
What is a major criticism of Switzerland’s frequent use of referenda?
It has led to a tyranny of the majority, with minority rights sometimes compromised, especially around immigration and religion.
How has online political engagement shifted participation trends?
Figures like Jeremy Corbyn (2.5M followers) and Nigel Farage (2.2M followers) show online engagement remains high, even outside formal politics.
What effect did the Gaza conflict have on the 2024 UK election?
Labour lost seats in areas with high Muslim populations to pro-Palestinian independents, showing the rise of issue-based voting and political participation through protest.
What did the 2019 Hansard Audit say about political influence?
47% of people felt they had no influence in politics, a sign of growing disillusionment with the political system.
What did the 2024 general election show about tactical voting?
25% of people said they would vote tactically, highlighting frustration with the electoral system and limited choice under FPTP.
How does political engagement differ by age group?
Older voters (75+) have turnout above 80%, while 18–24-year-olds average just above 50%. However, younger people engage more in non-traditional political activities.
What evidence supports votes at 16?
In Scotland, 16–17-year-olds who voted in the 2014 independence referendum had higher subsequent turnout than those who started voting at 18.
Why is Kemi Badenoch’s mandate as Prime Minister (if she was to be voted in) questioned?
She was elected by only 94,000 party members, raising issues around legitimacy in the absence of a general election win.
