Democracy and Participation

What is direct democracy?

• When people vote for an individual to represent them

• This occurs when people vote directly on an issue

• When you vote directly at the polling station

• This occurs when you vote on your own behalf

Answer explanation

Another name for Direct Democracy is Athenean Democracy. In the modern world, its most common form is through the use of a referendum.

What is Representative Democracy?

• This is when you vote directly on an issue

• This is when you represent someone and vote on their behalf

• This is when you directly instruct a delegate to vote on an issue

• This occurs when you vote for someone to make decisions on their behalf

Answer explanation

This college is located in the Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency. The current representative (MP) is Rushanara Ali.

What does the Recall of MPs Act, 2015 do?

• This is a means of calling MPs back to their constituencies

• This gives you the right to contact your MP directly via a parliamentary messaging service

• This allow constituents to sign a petition to demand a by-election

• This allows you to take your MP back to the shop and demand a refund

Answer explanation

In the event of your MP being caught up in a scandal you can use this law to "recall" your MP and make them stand for re-election.

What is a General Election?

• This is when all seats are elected for all seats of the Westminster Parliament

• He was a senior commander during the First World War, serving under Field Marshall Hague

• This is an election that takes place in a devolved assembly

• This is an election that takes place in a single constituency

What is a by-election?

• This occurs when a candidate has no opponents and is therefore automatically elected

• This is a constituency election that takes place in a single constituency (not nationally), it usually occurs when the sitting MP dies

• An election that is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather

• This is an election for a devolved assembly or parliament

What is a Local Election?

• This occurs when an MP dies or needs to be replaced

• This is when an election takes place in a local business or society

• this is a form of town hall democracy

• This is a election that takes place in a small area or region. An example of this would be Tower Hamlets Council.

Which of these events have been described as having damaged the reputation and trust in British politics. (Two Answers)

• The invasion of Iraq, 2003

• The leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, 2015-2020

• The Expenses Scandal, 2009

• The failure of the Scottish Independence Referendum, 2014

Answer explanation

The invasion of Iraq was highly controversial with the British public. The Expenses Scandal was a series of revelations on claims made by MPs. Taxpayers paid for a new duck house and moat cleaning!

What 2 technical words are used to describe the ability, or right, to vote in public elections? (Two Answers)

• Franchise

• Voter

• Suffrage

• Constituent

Who CAN NOT vote in UK General Elections? (Two Answers)

• Bangladeshi citizens

• EU Citizens

• Prisoners

• Irish citizens

Answer explanation

Even when we were in the EU, EU citizens could NOT vote in General Elections (they could vote in Local). All Commonwealth and Irish citizens CAN vote in General Elections.

Which of these changes were made by the Great Reform Act of 1832? (Two Answers)

• Voting rights were given to middle class women

• It created seats in the rapidly urbanising cities like Manchester

• It abolished the "rotten boroughs"

• It reformed party funding rules

Answer explanation

Rotten Boroughs were constituencies that often only had one or two voters!