uk democracy - how representative is it??

ok people, just thought i would ask you all.... it is the title of an essay i need to write for politics, and thought i could get some alternative views on the subjct other than text book definitions.

anything will help... lol. seriously.

the facts we have been given mainly to go on are about the house of commons, house of lords and our voting system. thats about it.

i personally think it is a very hard thing - representation. how far should one take it before it is acceptable. you can have representatives to all the areas of the uk..... these people are voted in during elections by us.

the house of commons is open to all candidates. any race, gender, sexual preferance and religion. however it is said that political parties will only usually place "safe candidates" up for election. these will belong to the section of society considered to be the majority. this means that the commons now are run by majority white male (sorry for not having better stats).

the house of lords is a non elective house.all members can be considered again to be of the "safe" section on society. due to them being apointed, the appointer has the right to put whoever they think acceptable in there. given automatic places in the lords are the bishops. these law lords represent the long founded link that parliament has had with the church of england. no other religion has this opertunity. is this right???

well there are many other examples of non-representation, but thinking about it the situation used to be much worse. less representaion.


does anyone think they have an answer to the problem of representatoin, or anything to improve the general situation>?????
............. or have u got any general points to add???


anything will help.

love 2 u all

xxx noelle xxx

 

I'll help you with your politics essay if you'll help me with mine:&


"In direct contrast to German philosophy which descends from heaven to earth, here we ascend from earth to heaven" (Marx). Discuss.

 

Erm...

I don't think it's very representative seeing as about 50% of the population don't vote. And the voting system is first past the post...where whoever gets the most votes in a constituency gains a seat, and whoever has the most seats becomes the main power...which technicallly means someone could get more votes but less seats. I'm not making much sense, I'll go over my Gen Studs notes tomorrow

 

Also you have to look at the proportion of women and ethnic minority MP's in relation to the make up of the country. It doesn't compare too favourably....