Participating in Democracy: Voting, Referenda, Petitions, and Pressure Groups in the UK

2. Direct Action Trade Union Pressure Groups Lobbying Voting/ Referenda Back a political campaign Contact Representative Petitions

3. How can the individual participate in a democracy?

4. Voting • UK General elections are held every 5 years • Registered voters over the age of eighteen years old can vote • Voting in elections gives the public an opportunity to select candidates they feel may benefit their constituency • It also gives voters the power to remove representatives that they may feel are not doing a ‘good job’.

5. Positives of General Elections Limitations of elections Once an MP (or MSP) has been selected they can be very difficult to remove if the constituents become unhappy with him/her during the 5 year term (Independent group) FPTP is likely to produce disproportionate results e.g. conservatives with a majority in 2015 despite only 36% of the vote Low turnouts in across the UK damage the credibility/legitimacy of the election outcome Voters can read the political parties manifestos and decide which party’s policies they prefer Voters get the chance to engage directly with political parties and candidates which allows the them to become more aware of local/national issues Voters can elect a candidate that will best represent their constituency

6. Referendum A referendum can be a useful mechanism through which to settle a controversial issue, by giving the public the opportunity to vote directly on the issue. In Scotland, citizens have had three opportunities to vote in a referendum during the last 10 years: • Alternative Vote referendum (2011 – 42% turnout) • Scottish Independence (2014 – 85% turnout) • UK EU membership (2016 – 72% turnout) It is generally accepted that for a decision to be legitimate turnout should ‘high’

7. Arguments for Arguments against Referendums may undermine Parliamentary democracy and make it seem less relevant. It is also contrary to the idea of Parliamentary sovereignty. Referendums may be about issues that involve complex considerations and these become oversimplified (EU – Economy?) There may be unequal resources between the opposing campaigns in a referendum so that the arguments of one side become submerged (EU – Remain) Referendums are a majoritarian form of voting and the minorities can lose out in the result.  If the turnout is low, then it does not give a clear reflection of public views. (AV) Referendums can settle an issue that has been controversial. E.g. Scottish Independence ‘for a generation’ They can be used to decide issues in a way that general election cannot A referendum leads to a debate which can involve the general public and educate them about the issue (EU!) Referendums act as a check on Governments and ensure that key changes only take place with popular support(EU)

8. Public Petitions This is a formal request that includes the names those making the request. It is addressed to a person or a group, in authority, such as the Parliament Following the 2010 general election the speaker of the House, John Bercow, set up a committee to look at modernising Parliament and making it more accountable to the public This work led to the introduction of e-petitions (2012) e-petitions that attract over 100,000 signatures may be debated by Parliament

13. Contact your MP MPs try to represent the views of their constituency as well as representing each individual person in their constituency The public can make contact with their MPs in several ways: • Surgeries • Letters • E-mail • Telephone

14. How can groups and private organisations participate in a democracy?

15. Pressure Groups • A group of people who come together because they feel strongly about an issue. • Pressure groups will try to influence or put pressure on ‘decision makers’, the groups of people who can make decisions or initiate change e.g. government ministers or newspapers (public opinion).

16. Types of Pressure Groups • There are two main types of pressure group: • Cause groups and Interest groups • A cause group is associated with one specific cause (environment, human rights…) • An interest group is linked to a specific interest (professional bodies e.g. BMA)

17. Types of Pressure Groups • There are two main types of pressure group: • Cause groups and Interest groups • A cause group is associated with one specific cause (environment, human rights…) • An interest group is linked to a specific interest (professional bodies e.g. BMA)

18. Cause Groups • Large membership does not always translate to influence for pressure groups • Cause pressure groups can be divided into sections: sectional and attitude • Sectional groups target a section of society, e.g. Shelter targets the homeless • Attitude targets a change in the general publics attitude, e.g. Friends of the Earth

19. Interest Groups • Represent common interests of a particular section of society • Members are directly and personally concerned with the outcome of a campaign as they stand to benefit in some way • Trade Unions and Associations are often interest groups • Membership is often restricted to professions or qualifications

20. Pressure Groups

22. “Thousands of protesters turned out”

23. Lobbying Lobbying in order to influence political decisions is widely regarded as a legitimate part of the democratic process. Lobbyists are firms or individuals that are paid to influence such decisions. Lobbyists are often former politicians or ex-civil servants who have developed personal contacts with those in power. Alternatively, individuals. firms, charities and other groups can lobby on their own, without paying professional lobbyists.

24. Direct Action

26. Lobbying – Problematic? There has long been concern that lobbyists will begin to wield an unhealthy level of influence over political decision-making. This, it is argued, could mean the corruption of peers and MPs and undermine democracy. Before the 2010 election, future Prime Minister David Cameron said lobbying was "the next big scandal waiting to happen".

27. Lobbying MPs can: Be paid to act as a director, consultant, or adviser, or in any other capacity, whether or not such interests are related to membership of the Commons Be sponsored by a trade union or any other organisation Receive hospitality in the course of their parliamentary duties MPs cannot: Disclose their financial interests in a public Register Take decisions based on the public interest, not for their own financial benefit or for that of their family or friends Not place themselves under any financial obligation to outside individuals or organisations Not act as a paid advocate in any parliamentary proceedings. They should not take payment to speak in Parliament, to vote a certain way, to introduce legislation, to amend legislation or to urge others to do so

28. Lobbying – FOBT MPs recently passed legislation on the regulation of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals The terminals are a huge source of profit for bookmakers but have been described as the “crack cocaine of gambling” because of their addictive qualities “A document leaked prior to debate revealed that numerous questions drafted for the MPs were pushing arguments made by lobbyists for the bookmakers There were fears that some MPs – especially those who have benefited from lavish hospitality provided by the big bookmakers – could be overly influenced.”