How effectively does representative democracy operate in the UK?

Another way how democracy operates well in the UK is through parliament. Parliament lies at the heart of the democratic process. The UK is therefore a parliamentary democracy.  Parliament is the main institution that links government to the people. For example Parliament ensures representative government because the dominant chamber of Parliament, the House of Commons, is elected. MP’s represent their constituencies and the House of Commons serves as the debating chamber of the nation. This therefore shows that representative democracy operates effectively in the UK.

Our democracy also operates well in the UK through referendums. When they were first introduced in the UK they were frowned upon on it, they were seen as somehow not ‘British’. This is because they conflicted with the principles of parliamentary democracy. Referendums reduced Parliament and undermined its popular authority. Referendums allow the public to make decisions directly, rather than relying on the ‘wisdom’ of professional politicians; and focusing on specific issues, rather than a broad set of policies. It’s been used widely since 1997 in the UK.  Some important referendums had been held before 1997. And the most important one ever held in the UK was the 1975 referendum on continued membership of the European Community. Referendums were also held in Scotland and Wales in 1979, in an unsuccessful attempt to introduce devolution. The election in 2010 of a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition gave renewed impetus to the use of referendums.  This therefore shows that referendums are effective most of the time and have successful impacts in our society.

Free and fair elections do have its disadvantages. Non-elected bodies could be a disadvantage, as some key political posts in the UK are not filled through elections. The most common examples are the monarchy and the House of Lords, neither of which enjoy democratic legitimacy. Also the Westminster voting system could be a disadvantage as the first past the post system used for elections to the House of Commons has been criticized for misrepresenting electoral preferences and creating a system of plurality rule. This shows that representative democracy doesn’t always run effectively in the UK.

The effectiveness of Parliament in promoting democracy in the UK has its disadvantages too. The second chamber of Parliament, the House of Lords, is entirely unelected. This weakens the representative role of Parliament.  Party discipline prevents MPs from using their own judgement in representing their constituents. It also restricts freedom of debate and voting the House of Commons. This therefore shows that parliament can’t always help our democracy effectively.  

And last referendums, the public says that the use of referendums does not strengthen democracy, it substitutes direct democracy for parliamentary democracy. This is not merely undermines the vital principles of parliamentary sovereignty but also means that decisions are not made on the basis of careful thoughts and debates. Therefore referendums are shown not be effective within our representative democracy because it undermines the vital principles of parliamentary sovereignty.

In conclusion I believe representative democracy operates effectively in the UK, because of its holding of free and fair elections, parliament and referendums. These are all effective ways to make the public participate in our democracy and to which will make our democracy operate effectively.