Lecture 9: Elections, Petitions, and Referendums Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the difference between government accountability to Parliament and the public?
Government accountability to Parliament is indirect, while government accountability to the public is direct through elections, referendums, and petitions.
What is the ideal conception of a democratic society?
The ideal conception of a democratic society is one where people continuously and actively participate in political affairs.
What defines a practical democracy in terms of government accountability?
A practical democracy is one where people freely elect a government and have the ability to dismiss it through regular elections.
What is the difference between parliamentary sovereignty and popular sovereignty?
Parliamentary sovereignty means Parliament has ultimate power, while popular sovereignty means the power lies with the people.
How often must elections be held, and who can call an early election?
Elections must be held at least every 5 years, but the Prime Minister can call an early election.
What did the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 do, and what happened in 2022?
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 set fixed election dates, but it was repealed in 2022, restoring the Prime Minister’s discretion to call elections.
What is the role of the Electoral Committee in elections?
The Electoral Committee makes sure elections are fair by enforcing rules on campaign money, spending limits, and advertising.
Under what circumstances can an MP be recalled before the end of their term according to the MPs Act 2015
According to the MPs Act 2015 An MP can be recalled before their term ends if they’re convicted of a crime, suspended from the House, or found guilty of false expense claims.
How does a recall election work in terms of petition and voter support?
A recall petition is open for 6 weeks, and to be successful, 10% of eligible voters must sign it. If successful, a by-election is held.
What are the historical roots of petitions in Parliament?
Petitions in Parliament have a long history, starting with personal complaints and growing into calls for social justice, such as ending slavery and reforming Parliament.
What is the process for e-petitions introduced in 2015?
E-petitions with 10,000+ signatures receive a response from the government, and those with 100,000+ signatures may be debated in Parliament.
What is the role of the House of Commons Petitions Committee?
The House of Commons Petitions Committee examines petitions, holds debates in Westminster Hall, and ensures the government responds to them.
What is the main purpose of a referendum in the UK?
A referendum in the UK lets voters give a clear answer on one specific issue, unlike elections that deal with many different policies.
What type of democracy does the UK have, and how does this relate to referendums?
The UK has a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, and there is no general legal framework for referendums.
How were referendums historically used in the UK?
Historically, referendums in the UK were used for local matters, such as Sunday cinema openings and establishing public libraries.
When was the first national referendum in the UK, and what was it about?
The first national referendum in the UK took place in 1975, asking whether the UK should stay in the European Community (the Common Market).
What was the result of the 1975 referendum on UK membership in the European Community?
In the 1975 referendum, 67.2% voted Yes to remain in the European Community, with a 65% voter turnout.
What was the significance of the European Union Act 2011?
The EU Act 2011 required referendums for EU treaty amendments and for any transfer of powers from the UK to the EU.
What was the result of the 2016 EU referendum, and what was its impact?
In the 2016 EU referendum, 51.9% voted to leave, with 72% of people taking part. The government didn’t have to follow the result by law, but it promised to start leaving the EU.
What was the purpose of the 1997 Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Act?
The 1997 Referendums Act led to votes on creating a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly, and both were appoved
What was the outcome of the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?
In the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, 53.3% voted to remain in the UK, with an 84.6% turnout, and it clarified that independence referendums are a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998.
What was the outcome of the 2011 Electoral System Referendum?
In the 2011 Electoral System Referendum, voters rejected replacing the First Past the Post (FPTP) system with the Alternative Vote (AV) system.
