Outline 3 ways that representative democracy could be improved in the UK. (Party Politics 15 marks)

The first way that representative democracy could be improved in the UK is through digital elections. The introduction of digital voting would make the process much easier for the electorate and citizens of the country – they could vote from the comfort of their own home with a lack of fuss. This would create an effective and efficient process. As a result, this may cause more individuals to vote who do not typically have the time to do so in the average working week. Consequently, higher turnout thus means more people voting as opposed to the 60% range that is typically of the current political climate. More people voting thus means that the outcome of the election will ultimately represent the wishes of more of the electorate. This in turn, may create a more representative democracy.

In addition to digital voting, representative democracy may be further improved by the removal of party whips on key votes or votes in general within the UK. Although partisanship and party loyalty is key in order for the government to run, ultimately the role of MP’s in Parliament is to represent their constituents – the key individuals that elected them into their seat. As a result, removing the use of party whips who ensure that MP’s vote in line with their party leaders – as seen most recently within the Conservative party voting on air strikes in Syria – MP may be able to represent the views of their constituents more directly and effectively.

A third way in which representative democracy can be improved is perhaps through more frequent elections. At present, general elections and therefore the turnover of MP’s and the government in Parliament occurs every four years. Although arguably effective as it gives a governing party enough time to carry our their policies, a more frequent electoral system may perhaps improve representation. Four years allows MP’s and the government to (particularly within the first two years) make unfavorable decisions, as they are aware they are still safe in their position.  More frequent elections may perhaps cause MP’s to take the views of their constituents more seriously and thus, attempt to make improvements accordingly, in order to save their seat. As seen in America, the use of elections to the House every two years, causes Congressmen to have the priority of ‘pork-barrel’ politics, as ultimately, if they do not carry out the wishes of their state, they will lose their seat. If this system was implemented in the UK, perhaps more representation would follow.