British British Democracy in Democracy in

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What is democracy? What is democracy? General elections to choose MPs must be held at least every General elections to choose MPs must be held at least every

five years. five years. However, the Prime Minister can 'call an election' before the However, the Prime Minister can 'call an election' before the

end of his five year term of office, at a time when he/she end of his five year term of office, at a time when he/she believes his/her party is most popular. believes his/her party is most popular.

During a general election in Britain, the electorate vote for one During a general election in Britain, the electorate vote for one candidate of a particular political party in their designated candidate of a particular political party in their designated electoral region, known as a electoral region, known as a constituency.constituency.

'first-past-the-post' (FPTP) = the winner needs only one more 'first-past-the-post' (FPTP) = the winner needs only one more vote than his or her closest rival to be first-past-the-post vote than his or her closest rival to be first-past-the-post although in reality there is usually a larger gap between the although in reality there is usually a larger gap between the ones who come first and second.  ones who come first and second. 

The FPTP system seems both to work and to be fair. But there The FPTP system seems both to work and to be fair. But there are problems with the FPTP system that have led increasingly are problems with the FPTP system that have led increasingly over the past decade to calls for reforms to make the system over the past decade to calls for reforms to make the system fairer and more 'democratic.' fairer and more 'democratic.'

Which of the reasons stated below express most decisively the Which of the reasons stated below express most decisively the shortcomings of FPTP in your opinion?shortcomings of FPTP in your opinion?

Votes that did not go to the 'winner', that is, the total number of votes Votes that did not go to the 'winner', that is, the total number of votes for all of the other candidates who lost often resulted in a figure far for all of the other candidates who lost often resulted in a figure far greater than that that the winner gained. greater than that that the winner gained.

If the losers gain nothing, then what about all those who didn't vote If the losers gain nothing, then what about all those who didn't vote for the successful person? Don’t these people feel ‘disenfranchised’, for the successful person? Don’t these people feel ‘disenfranchised’, i.e. not gaining through their vote any representation in the House of i.e. not gaining through their vote any representation in the House of Commons?Commons?

Together, such voters may constitute a majority but with votes spread Together, such voters may constitute a majority but with votes spread amongst different candidates, they represent a divided majority. amongst different candidates, they represent a divided majority.

Percentages of votes are not transformed into percentages of seats Percentages of votes are not transformed into percentages of seats in Parliament. in Parliament.

Within one constituency, a candidate may take a high percentage of Within one constituency, a candidate may take a high percentage of votes but if he or she is not the winner, their votes mean very little at votes but if he or she is not the winner, their votes mean very little at all and become statistics to be analysed, not a source of political all and become statistics to be analysed, not a source of political power. power.

It worked well in the past because of the traditional two-party system It worked well in the past because of the traditional two-party system in the country.in the country.

A new party like the Liberal-Democrat Party is disadvantaged by the A new party like the Liberal-Democrat Party is disadvantaged by the system.system.

Many think that Many think that proportional representationproportional representation (PR) would be (PR) would be the fair solution to the problem. the fair solution to the problem.

During the 1980s and 90s, many members of the Labour During the 1980s and 90s, many members of the Labour Party were also attracted to PR Party were also attracted to PR

Some of the smaller political parties could also see the Some of the smaller political parties could also see the disadvantages of the existing system, with it being almost disadvantages of the existing system, with it being almost impossible for them to gain any seats in Parliament at all.impossible for them to gain any seats in Parliament at all.

Those more sceptical of PR claim that it would lead to a Those more sceptical of PR claim that it would lead to a series of weak, coalition governments which offer limited series of weak, coalition governments which offer limited stability in an ever-changing international political climate. stability in an ever-changing international political climate.

Some PR critics claim that frequent general elections would, Some PR critics claim that frequent general elections would, result in voter apathy and could actually lead to domination of result in voter apathy and could actually lead to domination of a few powerful groups. a few powerful groups.

Tony Blair's party had expressed interest in looking at ways Tony Blair's party had expressed interest in looking at ways to bring in elements of PR into the system but very little has to bring in elements of PR into the system but very little has been achieved so far, although it is on the political agenda. been achieved so far, although it is on the political agenda.

One possible solution suggested by some politicians to voters One possible solution suggested by some politicians to voters was to was to vote tactically vote tactically (VT)(VT)

Tactical voting is where a voter assesses the situation in their Tactical voting is where a voter assesses the situation in their constituency at the time of a general election and votes for the constituency at the time of a general election and votes for the party which is most likely to defeat the party they like the least.party which is most likely to defeat the party they like the least.

In many constituencies during the 1980s and 90s, for example, In many constituencies during the 1980s and 90s, for example, the main opposition to the Conservatives was the Labour Party, the main opposition to the Conservatives was the Labour Party, and if Liberal Democrat voters switched to vote for Labour they and if Liberal Democrat voters switched to vote for Labour they could help to oust the Conservative MP. could help to oust the Conservative MP.

During the general election in May 2005, Conservative voters in During the general election in May 2005, Conservative voters in many areas considered tactical voting for another party merely many areas considered tactical voting for another party merely to help oust the Labour party. According to Andrew Marr, a well to help oust the Labour party. According to Andrew Marr, a well known political commentator, "We drop our ballot papers like known political commentator, "We drop our ballot papers like feathers into the void and somewhere, sometimes, they feathers into the void and somewhere, sometimes, they accumulate to tip a giant scale and eject or elect an Honourable accumulate to tip a giant scale and eject or elect an Honourable Member. But for our feathers to make a difference is rare”. Member. But for our feathers to make a difference is rare”.

Britain’s political parties originated in 1662 in the aftermath of Britain’s political parties originated in 1662 in the aftermath of the English Civil War as the the English Civil War as the ToriesTories and the and the Whigs Whigs

Both names were originally insults: a "whiggamor" = a cattle Both names were originally insults: a "whiggamor" = a cattle driver, and a "tory" was an Irish term for an outlaw. driver, and a "tory" was an Irish term for an outlaw.

Generally, the Tories were associated with larger land holders Generally, the Tories were associated with larger land holders (or "land magnates") and the Church of England, while Whigs (or "land magnates") and the Church of England, while Whigs were more associated with trade, money, expansion and were more associated with trade, money, expansion and tolerance. tolerance.

The Tories underwent a fundamental transformation under the The Tories underwent a fundamental transformation under the influence of Robert Peel, himself an industrialist rather than a influence of Robert Peel, himself an industrialist rather than a landowner, who in his 1835 "Tamworth Manifesto" outlined a landowner, who in his 1835 "Tamworth Manifesto" outlined a new "Conservative" philosophy of reforming bills while new "Conservative" philosophy of reforming bills while conserving the good.conserving the good.

Peel's supporters split from their colleagues over the issue of Peel's supporters split from their colleagues over the issue of free trade in 1846, ultimately joining the Whigs and the Radicals free trade in 1846, ultimately joining the Whigs and the Radicals to form the Liberal Party. Peel's version of the party's to form the Liberal Party. Peel's version of the party's underlying outlook was retained by the remaining Tories, who underlying outlook was retained by the remaining Tories, who adopted his label of adopted his label of ConservativeConservative as the official name of their as the official name of their party.party.

The term 'Liberal Party was first used officially in 1868The term 'Liberal Party was first used officially in 1868 The Liberal Party formed a government in 1870 and then alternated with the The Liberal Party formed a government in 1870 and then alternated with the

Conservative Party as the party of government throughout the late 19th and Conservative Party as the party of government throughout the late 19th and early 20th century.early 20th century.

In 1900, the Labour Representation Committee was established, and it In 1900, the Labour Representation Committee was established, and it changed its name to changed its name to The Labour PartyThe Labour Party in 1906. in 1906.

After the First World War, this led to the demise of the Liberal Party as the After the First World War, this led to the demise of the Liberal Party as the main liberal force in British politics. main liberal force in British politics.

After performing poorly in the elections of 1922, 1923 and 1924, the Liberal After performing poorly in the elections of 1922, 1923 and 1924, the Liberal Party was superseded by the Labour Party as the party of the left. Party was superseded by the Labour Party as the party of the left.

The Labour Party had its first true victory after World War II in the 1945 The Labour Party had its first true victory after World War II in the 1945 election. election.

With the Conservatives in power for most of the time, in response to With the Conservatives in power for most of the time, in response to Labour's leftward shift, some moderate members formed a breakaway group Labour's leftward shift, some moderate members formed a breakaway group in 1981, called the in 1981, called the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party (SDP). (SDP).

The SDP formed an alliance with the Liberal Party which contested the 1983 The SDP formed an alliance with the Liberal Party which contested the 1983 and 1987 general elections as a centrist alternative to Labour and the and 1987 general elections as a centrist alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. Conservatives.

The SDP eventually merged with the Liberal Party to form the The SDP eventually merged with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Liberal Democrats in 1988.Democrats in 1988. Support for the new party has increased since then, and Support for the new party has increased since then, and the Liberal Democrats (often referred to as Lib Dems) in 1997 and 2001 the Liberal Democrats (often referred to as Lib Dems) in 1997 and 2001 gained an increased number of seats in the House of Commons.gained an increased number of seats in the House of Commons.

The logos of the three parties: Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems

Unlike the ‘dignified’ elements of the constitution, the House of Unlike the ‘dignified’ elements of the constitution, the House of Commons has real power in the British political systemCommons has real power in the British political system

The modern House of Commons is neither the government of The modern House of Commons is neither the government of the country nor even the principal place where most of the the country nor even the principal place where most of the legislation is conceived. legislation is conceived.

At the same time, it is essentially At the same time, it is essentially the stage upon which the the stage upon which the party political battle isparty political battle is foughtfought; it is ; it is the sounding-board for the sounding-board for popular representation and redresspopular representation and redress, the , the proving ground for proving ground for ministersministers and and shadow ministersshadow ministers and the principal forum within and the principal forum within which which legislation and other actions of government are criticised legislation and other actions of government are criticised and asserted between general electionsand asserted between general elections (Forman, (Forman, Mastering Mastering British PoliticsBritish Politics:153).:153).

The House of Commons is elected during the general election The House of Commons is elected during the general election held at least every five years. Britain is divided into about 650 held at least every five years. Britain is divided into about 650 constituencies (646 at the latest election), each of which returns constituencies (646 at the latest election), each of which returns one member to the House of Commons. Each MP normally one member to the House of Commons. Each MP normally represents between 76.000 and 102,000 voters (who make up represents between 76.000 and 102,000 voters (who make up a constituency). If an MP dies or retires during the time a constituency). If an MP dies or retires during the time between elections, a between elections, a by-electionby-election is held to elect their successor. is held to elect their successor.

By filling in the gaps with the right words or phrases you will find out about the main actors and By filling in the gaps with the right words or phrases you will find out about the main actors and the part that they play in the House of Commons:the part that they play in the House of Commons:

The ----- (1) is the chief officer of the House of Commons, elected by MPs to presideThe ----- (1) is the chief officer of the House of Commons, elected by MPs to presideover the House. His/Her three ----- (2) are the next most important officers of the House.over the House. His/Her three ----- (2) are the next most important officers of the House.They take no partisan part in debates or votes unlessThey take no partisan part in debates or votes unless a votea vote isis ----- ----- (3) (3) which is a rarewhich is a rareoccasion and in that case they have the decisive vote, or----- (4). occasion and in that case they have the decisive vote, or----- (4). In front of the Speaker on the right sit the MPs of the biggest party, which forms the governmentIn front of the Speaker on the right sit the MPs of the biggest party, which forms the governmentand facing them sit the MPs of the parties who oppose them, the ----- (5). The leader of theand facing them sit the MPs of the parties who oppose them, the ----- (5). The leader of thegovernment, the ----- (6) sits on the government ----- (7), of course, next to his/her ----- (8) the mostgovernment, the ----- (6) sits on the government ----- (7), of course, next to his/her ----- (8) the mostimportant of these form the ----- (9) The minister responsible for relations with other countries isimportant of these form the ----- (9) The minister responsible for relations with other countries iscalled ----- (10) The one responsible for law and security is called ----- (11) The one who deals withcalled ----- (10) The one responsible for law and security is called ----- (11) The one who deals withfinancial matters and prepares the annual ----- (12) is called ----- (13) Opposite this group sits the financial matters and prepares the annual ----- (12) is called ----- (13) Opposite this group sits the

----- (14) - the main person in the largest party opposing the government - and the ----- (15), ----- (14) - the main person in the largest party opposing the government - and the ----- (15), eacheach

member of which specializes in a particular area of government.member of which specializes in a particular area of government.Paid office-holders in the government who are entitled to sit on the first bench, hence ----- (16)Paid office-holders in the government who are entitled to sit on the first bench, hence ----- (16)make up about 100 of the total number of MPs. The figure includes the government ----- (17) (themake up about 100 of the total number of MPs. The figure includes the government ----- (17) (thename is derived from the name is derived from the whipper-inwhipper-in in fox-hunting whose job is to ensure that the hounds are kept in fox-hunting whose job is to ensure that the hounds are keptunder control) They are Ministers of the ----- (18) and constitute important channels betweenunder control) They are Ministers of the ----- (18) and constitute important channels betweenbackbenchers and frontbenchers. MPs without special positions in their party sit behind theirbackbenchers and frontbenchers. MPs without special positions in their party sit behind theirleaders at the back and are called ----- (19). leaders at the back and are called ----- (19).

Opposition Prime Minister Front Bench Foreign Secretary MinistersOpposition Prime Minister Front Bench Foreign Secretary MinistersTied Casting ballot Deputies Front benchers Crown Speaker Cabinet Tied Casting ballot Deputies Front benchers Crown Speaker Cabinet Home Secretary Chancellor of the Exchequer Backbenchers Home Secretary Chancellor of the Exchequer Backbenchers Leader of the Opposition Budget Shadow Cabinet WhipsLeader of the Opposition Budget Shadow Cabinet Whips

The ‘whip’ also refers to a document sent out The ‘whip’ also refers to a document sent out weekly to MPs detailing the forthcoming weekly to MPs detailing the forthcoming business of the House. business of the House.

Items are underlined once, twice or three times Items are underlined once, twice or three times to indicate their importance to the party to indicate their importance to the party leadership. A three line whip means that party leadership. A three line whip means that party leadership expects MPS to turn up and vote on leadership expects MPS to turn up and vote on the matter under discussion.the matter under discussion.

YOUR ATTENDANCE IS REQUESTEDYOUR ATTENDANCE IS REQUESTED YOUR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY YOUR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY YOUR ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIALYOUR ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL

Functions of the House of CommonsFunctions of the House of Commons

■ ■ It sustains governmentIt sustains government. The House’s power is significant, since elections . The House’s power is significant, since elections to the House decide the political complexion of the government and the to the House decide the political complexion of the government and the majority party in the House provides the support needed. majority party in the House provides the support needed.

■ ■ Parliamentary control and scrutinyParliamentary control and scrutiny of the executiveof the executive is a vital function of is a vital function of MPs, who are called upon to control the activities of the executive and set MPs, who are called upon to control the activities of the executive and set limits to government actions. The government has to explain and defend limits to government actions. The government has to explain and defend its policies convincingly in the Commons; should it lose its argument on a its policies convincingly in the Commons; should it lose its argument on a regular basis, its credibility would be under threat and it would lower the regular basis, its credibility would be under threat and it would lower the morale of its supporters. morale of its supporters.

■■ An important means of scrutinising the Prime Minister is An important means of scrutinising the Prime Minister is Question Time Question Time which, prior to Blair’s victory in the elections of 1997, used to take place which, prior to Blair’s victory in the elections of 1997, used to take place for two fifteen-minute sessions every Tuesday and Thursday and attracted for two fifteen-minute sessions every Tuesday and Thursday and attracted disproportionate attention. It was mainly a heated engagement between disproportionate attention. It was mainly a heated engagement between the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister. Blair decided to have the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister. Blair decided to have a one half-hour session Question Time on Wednesday afternoons.a one half-hour session Question Time on Wednesday afternoons.

■ ■ The Commons as “sounding board of the nation”The Commons as “sounding board of the nation”. The representative . The representative character of the House with the MPs standing for their constituencies character of the House with the MPs standing for their constituencies secures a fair geographical representation of the country’s interests, secures a fair geographical representation of the country’s interests, concerns and needs. concerns and needs.

■ ■ The legislative processThe legislative process. The scrutiny and approval of legislation is . The scrutiny and approval of legislation is another fundamental and well recognised function of the Commons. another fundamental and well recognised function of the Commons.

The legislative process begins with a The legislative process begins with a Green PaperGreen Paper, which makes suggestions for legislation , which makes suggestions for legislation which may be debated in Parliament before a Bill is introduced. Comments are invited from which may be debated in Parliament before a Bill is introduced. Comments are invited from anyone who wants to write in, whether an individual or an organisation and all comments are anyone who wants to write in, whether an individual or an organisation and all comments are looked at. looked at.

The next stage is a The next stage is a White PaperWhite Paper, which contains firm proposals for a Bill, and again comments , which contains firm proposals for a Bill, and again comments are invited.are invited.

After these consultation stages, After these consultation stages, a new Billa new Bill is announced in Parliament by the minister in is announced in Parliament by the minister in charge of it. Although this process is called the charge of it. Although this process is called the First ReadingFirst Reading, no debate on the Bill takes , no debate on the Bill takes place. Printed copies of the Bill are laid on the table of the House and made available for all place. Printed copies of the Bill are laid on the table of the House and made available for all MPs and other interested parties to read and comment upon.MPs and other interested parties to read and comment upon.

About two weeks later, after MPs have read the Bill, a thorough debate on general principles is About two weeks later, after MPs have read the Bill, a thorough debate on general principles is held (about six hours), known as the held (about six hours), known as the Second ReadingSecond Reading. It is then given detailed consideration, . It is then given detailed consideration, clause by clause, by a Commons committee. At the end a vote is taken to show whether or not clause by clause, by a Commons committee. At the end a vote is taken to show whether or not the House approves the Bill. the House approves the Bill. The voting may or may not be whippedThe voting may or may not be whipped.. If the bill is approved at If the bill is approved at the Second Reading, it is then referred to a the Second Reading, it is then referred to a Standing CommitteeStanding Committee where it is debated by a where it is debated by a committee of between 16 and 50 MPs chosen to reflect the party balance in the House as a committee of between 16 and 50 MPs chosen to reflect the party balance in the House as a whole. whole.

Then the Bill is returned to the floor of the House, where the Then the Bill is returned to the floor of the House, where the Report StageReport Stage and the and the Third Third ReadingReading follow. These may last for six hours or more, taken together. During these stages the follow. These may last for six hours or more, taken together. During these stages the House as a whole debates the amendments passed by the Committee, and they may add their House as a whole debates the amendments passed by the Committee, and they may add their own amendments or new clauses. Another whipped vote is taken. The scrutiny is complete, own amendments or new clauses. Another whipped vote is taken. The scrutiny is complete, unless the House of Lords insists upon any substantial amendments, as unless the House of Lords insists upon any substantial amendments, as the bill has to go the bill has to go through the same stages in the House of Lords as wellthrough the same stages in the House of Lords as well. .

If this happens, the Commons has to consider them later. If the amendments are approved by If this happens, the Commons has to consider them later. If the amendments are approved by the Commons, the latter simply sends a message notifying its agreement. Since the vast the Commons, the latter simply sends a message notifying its agreement. Since the vast majority of amendments by the Lords are inspired by the need for technical improvements, such majority of amendments by the Lords are inspired by the need for technical improvements, such amendments usually cause no problems in the Commons. They merely underline the amendments usually cause no problems in the Commons. They merely underline the usefulness of a bicameral legislative procedure. usefulness of a bicameral legislative procedure.

Once it is through the Lords, a Bill is virtually in its final form awaiting the royal rubber stamp - Once it is through the Lords, a Bill is virtually in its final form awaiting the royal rubber stamp - the Royal Assentthe Royal Assent - to become an Act of Parliament. The whole process can take up to a year, - to become an Act of Parliament. The whole process can take up to a year, but in special cases, pressure is put on the Commons and Lords to pass a bill very quickly (e.g. but in special cases, pressure is put on the Commons and Lords to pass a bill very quickly (e.g. bills that deal with civil disorder, terrorism, etc); sometimes the process has to be completed bills that deal with civil disorder, terrorism, etc); sometimes the process has to be completed within 24 hours. within 24 hours.

In the case of important matters, the voting procedure In the case of important matters, the voting procedure usually applied is called usually applied is called DivisionDivision..

The Speaker calls: “Clear the lobby”.The Speaker calls: “Clear the lobby”. Throughout the houses of Parliament bells start to ring Throughout the houses of Parliament bells start to ring

signalling MPs to go to the division lobbies.signalling MPs to go to the division lobbies. After two minutes, the Speaker puts the matter to the After two minutes, the Speaker puts the matter to the

vote.vote. The exit doors, the one to the right hand of the The exit doors, the one to the right hand of the

Speaker and one to her/his left are opened. Speaker and one to her/his left are opened. Those in favour go out through the right-hand door Those in favour go out through the right-hand door

and those against by the left-hand door.and those against by the left-hand door. All MPs give their names and leave. All MPs give their names and leave. Two attendants count aloud while the Chief Whips see Two attendants count aloud while the Chief Whips see

to it that all MPs leave by the ‘right’ door.to it that all MPs leave by the ‘right’ door.

■ ■ Political educationPolitical education. The house plays an important role in the . The house plays an important role in the democratic education of the nation. The various stages in the democratic education of the nation. The various stages in the journey of a bill are as many occasions for citizens at large to journey of a bill are as many occasions for citizens at large to tune in to national debates on vital issues that are going to tune in to national debates on vital issues that are going to influence the lives of common people. Ministers have to justify influence the lives of common people. Ministers have to justify their actions on the floor of the House or in the Standing their actions on the floor of the House or in the Standing Committee rooms. The Committee rooms. The Hansard Hansard reports, printed verbatim reports, printed verbatim reports of everything said and done during the proceedings of reports of everything said and done during the proceedings of both parliamentary Houses, are published daily. (The records of both parliamentary Houses, are published daily. (The records of the Lords date back to 1497 and those of the Commons to the Lords date back to 1497 and those of the Commons to 1547).1547).

■■ Many people watch the proceedings on TV. The twice-weekly Many people watch the proceedings on TV. The twice-weekly clash between Thatcher and Kinnock at Prime Minister’s clash between Thatcher and Kinnock at Prime Minister’s Question Time used to be the “biggest hit” of the televised Question Time used to be the “biggest hit” of the televised proceedings, although Thatcher fiercely opposed throughout proceedings, although Thatcher fiercely opposed throughout her successive premierships the idea of televising the her successive premierships the idea of televising the proceedings in the House. Summarised highlights of House proceedings in the House. Summarised highlights of House proceedings are shown at 8.15 am on BBC, but there is also proceedings are shown at 8.15 am on BBC, but there is also extensive coverage in the major news bulletins. extensive coverage in the major news bulletins.