Elections are one of the key times in the political arena, as this is when each party clearly defines what it is that they believe, and encourage the public to get involved with politics. This is done through campaigning and voting etc. However, this has been a problem in recent years, with ‘voter apathy’ steadily rising as the number of voters steadily drops. This is an especially large problem within the younger voting ages. This is due to a number of factors, but mainly because people believe that there vote wont make a difference. Obviously this devalues the whole principle of democracy, which makes it all the more difficult to uphold.
Parties also recruit leaders and candidates for office, according to who the party members believe will have the most success in leading the party in the way in which both they and the public desire. After elections, the party with power, and indeed any legitimate party will ensure that the transition of power is done peacefully, and that the power of parliament is upheld.
However, there are always two sides to an argument. In addition to the methods used to uphold democracy in this country, as outlined above, there are many criticisms of our political system and the parties in general. The most important of which, I feel in this modern age of corporate greed and so-called ‘globalisation’ is the issue of party financing. We have seen many attempts in the past of business’s and their owners attempting to corrupt the system. For example, the attempted purchases of British passports or oil giants funding American election campaigns. Although it is claimed that the donations made to parties and the requests made of them shortly after are not connected, it is fairly ominous that ‘democracy’ can be sold to the highest bidder.
There are many issues besides. For example, many would claim that parties will over simplify issues so that they can put their own slant on the topic in order to gain public approval of decisions, whether at election times or whilst in power. However, it can be claimed that many issues will need to be simplified for the majority of the electorate to understand them. Another key issue that Tony Blair has been criticised over is excessive ‘Party Unity’. There was much condemnation in the late 90’s of Blair’s attempts to control the Labour party from the centre, by placing ‘Tony’s Cronies’ in key and influential positions. It has also been claimed that in the past, outspoken backbenchers have been heavily reprimanded for criticising the leadership of the party. Obviously debate within a party is a vital component of democracy.