UNIT 1 - UK POLITICS ESSAY PLANS
Assess whether direct democracy should be more widely used in the UK (30) - correct
answer-Paragraph 1 - Yes
It encourages more political participation bc people themselves chooses
Purest form of democracy giving it a high legitimacy
This can be seen in Referendums E.g Brexit 2016
Other places like Switzerland uses direct democracy
More referendums like Scotland 1997 and Wales 1997 allowed devolution to be created -
name keys examples of how this was good E.g having its own electoral system & the white
paper 2006
Paragraph 2 - No
Referendums are impractical in a large heavily populated state not a good place to do direct
democracy
E.g Brexit Referendum was an example of Direct democracy and over 70% of Scotland
wanted to stay in but they were ignored
Instead we should use Representative democracy
Mainstream of all parties through FPTP system - Advantages of the FPTP - links between
constituency and MPs ( holding accountability in elections)
Paragraph 3 - Yes
Representative democracy leads to reduce participation E.g low voters turnout
E.g it has been decreasing since 2017 and 2019- 67.3%
Some minorities under RD may be less representative
E.g third parties through the FPTP
Paragraph 4 - No
Representative democracy holding accountability
E.g Prime Minister Question time
To what extent is FPTP fit for purpose? (30) - correct answer-Paragraph 1 -
FPTP usage
Clear link between MPs and their constituency
the people of that constituency can hold account of that MP by choosing another MP in the
next election
Voters have a clear choice representing their views
Paragraph 2 -
FPTP is a plurality system so you don't need a majority
Fixed term Parliament act - May ( unstable government)
Leading to a disportionate of results
E.g UKIP won 3.8 million votes but only got one seat
Instead we should use STV (used in NI)
it brought peace... its more proportional and has closer links between votes and seats, gives
more choice
Assess whether direct democracy should be more widely used in the UK (30) - correct
answer-Paragraph 1 - Yes
It encourages more political participation bc people themselves chooses
Purest form of democracy giving it a high legitimacy
This can be seen in Referendums E.g Brexit 2016
Other places like Switzerland uses direct democracy
More referendums like Scotland 1997 and Wales 1997 allowed devolution to be created -
name keys examples of how this was good E.g having its own electoral system & the white
paper 2006
Paragraph 2 - No
Referendums are impractical in a large heavily populated state not a good place to do direct
democracy
E.g Brexit Referendum was an example of Direct democracy and over 70% of Scotland
wanted to stay in but they were ignored
Instead we should use Representative democracy
Mainstream of all parties through FPTP system - Advantages of the FPTP - links between
constituency and MPs ( holding accountability in elections)
Paragraph 3 - Yes
Representative democracy leads to reduce participation E.g low voters turnout
E.g it has been decreasing since 2017 and 2019- 67.3%
Some minorities under RD may be less representative
E.g third parties through the FPTP
Paragraph 4 - No
Representative democracy holding accountability
E.g Prime Minister Question time
To what extent is FPTP fit for purpose? (30) - correct answer-Paragraph 1 -
FPTP usage
Clear link between MPs and their constituency
the people of that constituency can hold account of that MP by choosing another MP in the
next election
Voters have a clear choice representing their views
Paragraph 2 -
FPTP is a plurality system so you don't need a majority
Fixed term Parliament act - May ( unstable government)
Leading to a disportionate of results
E.g UKIP won 3.8 million votes but only got one seat
Instead we should use STV (used in NI)
it brought peace... its more proportional and has closer links between votes and seats, gives
more choice
