Compulsory Voting:
- Increases public participation
- A system that could fine people who do not vote, maybe a fine between £30-£50
- Already works in countries such as Australia
- People will gain a greater interest in politics
- Money made from fines could go into public education about politics and political broadcasting
- However, there are strong beliefs that the ‘right to vote’ also includes the right to not vote
- Undermines British Values
- Forcing the public to vote could lead to public apathy and resentment.
Reform
Of The Voting System:
- Change the voting system to a more proportional one
- STV is a good voting system
- Can be confusing
- Would weaken the link between voters and leaders
- Doesn’t increase turnout that much
Reform
Of The House Of Lords:
- Get rid of the remaining hereditary peers to make it more democratic
- Would make it more legitimate
- Fully or partical elected leaders in the House Of Lords
- Would give greater authority
- Could undermine the House Of Lords or it could gridlock it.
- Would reduce the number of experts in the House Of Lords
Reform
of MPs:
- Makes MP more responsible to the demands of the constituency.
- Could hinder an MPs role
- MPs would have to use conscience and judgement rather than following the rules
- We could remove them if they do not do a good job
Reforming
The House Of Commons:
- Make PMQ’s more adversarial
- More from the speaker to control debates
- Online questions sent directly to the PM from the public
- These old traditions are popular and don’t face calls for them to reform
Reforming
The Devolved System:
- West Lothian Question where Scottish MPs can decide on English Laws but English MPs cannot decide on Scottish Laws
- Could create two chambers which undermines the legislated chamber.