Political reform in the UK
- Created by: xmeganbakerx
- Created on: 16-04-19 12:26
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- Political reform
- Main issues with voting today
- Whether under-16s should be given the vote.
- Whether voting should be compulsory.
- What ways can be devised to encourage more people to vote other than making it compulsory.
- Giving under-16s the vote
- Yes
- With spread of citizenship education, young people are better informed about politics than ever before.
- Voting turnout between 18-24 age group is very low. This may encourage more youth to vote and become politically engaged.
- Internet and social media now enable young people to be better informed about politics.
- If one is old enough to pay tax, serve in the army, get married, then one should be able to vote.
- Gives young people a say in matters that affect them, like tuition fees.
- Encourages civic-mindedness from an earlier age and establish an interest in politics.
- No
- They're too young to make rational judgements.
- Many issues are too complex for younger people.
- Few people in this age group pay tax so they have a lower stake in society.
- 18-24 year olds have the lowest turnout, reflecting an apparent lack of interest in politics.
- Young people may be impressionable and easily influenced by emotional arguments, or blindly vote for the same party as their parents.
- Yes
- Compulsory voting
- Yes
- May force voters, especially the young, to make themselves more informed about political issues.
- By increasing turnout, it gives great democratic legitimacy to party or individual that wins an election.
- By ensuring more sections of society are involved, decision makers will have to ensure policies will address concerns of all parts of society.
- Arguably voting is a civic duty so citizens should be obliged to carry out that duty.
- No
- A civil liberties violation - some argue it's a basic right not to take part.
- Many voters are ill-informed, so there would be ill-informed participation.
- Involves large amounts of public expenditure to administer and enforce the system.
- Impractical for those busy with work, etc.
- Yes
- Other ideas
- Making registering to vote more convenient, especially online.
- Introducing online voting.
- Introducing weekend voting.
- Encouraging more political education in schools.
- Votes for under-16s.
- Reforming the electoral system from FPTP.
- Main issues with voting today
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