Elections and Democracy;

Parliament can run for up to five years, but during this time the prime minister is able to call an election whenever felt necessary (hen he/she feels the people are on their side), when the governing party no longer have a majority or if there is a vote of no confidence. Though before this happens the Queen must dissolve parliament.
Prime minster John Callaghan lost his position by one vote in a vote of confidence, this bought on the winter of discontent 1979.

The government at present have introduced fixed term elections of five years, meaning the next election (unless there is a vote of no confidence) will not take place until the 7th of May 2015.

To be able to vote, you must be registered on an electoral register of a constituency - there are around 45 million people in the country on a register and is therefore an incredibly useful tool for journalists when it come to finding people. Citizen abroad can vote, but not many do and there has been in a rise in the numbers of people voting by post - around 15% of all votes in 2005 were of this kind.
Though there are people who cannot vote at all; Those under 18 years of age, non British citizens (except those from Ireland and other commonwealth countries) and Prisoners, but this goes against European court rulings which says that criminals have the right to vote.

Representation of the peoples act made many changes as to who could vote over the years;
- 1918 - men over 21 and women over 30were able to vote.
- 1928 - universal suffrage - all adults over 21 were able to vote.
- 1969 - anyone over 18 years of age were then able to vote.

How do you win?
Any over the age of 18 can stand in an election, but winning comes down to who is 'First Past the Post'. 'FPTP' is a majoritarian voting system, which allows the MP with the most votes to be elected in each constituency, though this system does not reflect the national percentage of votes in the seats awarded to parties. In 2005, Labour won half of the seats in the commons but only had 35% of the votes. This system is also said to lead to tactical voting, it also allows the possibility of a hung parliament which other voting systems don't. This was the case in 2010 and resulted in a 'Con-Dem' coalition because neither Labour nor Conservative parties held majority of the seats in the Commons, raising arguments on how democratic the current government is because it isn't really a representation of the people.

Some would argue that we are in need of an electoral reform and should introduce a proportional representation system, such as AV, which will distribute seats in accordance with the national percentage of votes, through preference voting - when a constituents first choice of MP is no longer in the running, the second (or third and so on) preference vote is used and so it solves the problem of 'wasted votes.' The liberal democrats insisted on a referendum in 2011, as part of coalition agreements, to ask the nation whether they wanted change - the answer was no.

Spoiled voting papers in any election are disqualified, most votes are rejected because they have not been marked or because they have been marked too many times. Recounts of votes are allowed in cases where votes are incredibly close.

Party Politics;

Today's lecture outlined the significant rises and fall of the Labour Party and Conservative Party, conflicts between the two and reforms and bills which changed British politics from the 19th century to the present day.

 

The 19^th century bought with it harsh living and working conditions with poverty at extreme levels because of the growth of the population. The industrial revolution was in full swing and demand for production was at its peak. These conditions caused the people to become conscious and began to realise what they wanted and to get that a revolution was need. The French revolution is a significant reflection of politics this century, but the UK by passed such revolution because their politics was considered to be more ‘sophisticated’ and willing to compromise. This is show through the Reform Act of 1832, which shifted representation towards towns and the north.  From here the Corn Laws were repealed and the tory vs Whig system ended with influences from John Stuart Mill.

J.S.Mill, outlined what was later named ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ freedom (by Isaiah Berlin) and believed that freedom should enrich the lives of the individual not curtail it. He accepted members of the working class needed help and this came in form of positive liberty, using the state as a tool to give means for true freedom (welfare).

Voting reforms began and women and the working class were entitled to the vote and franchise acts were increased.  But the improving conditions of the working class meant they began to demand greater things from the government up until the First World War, which began the rise of the Labour party influenced by the German social democrats. In 1926 there were national strikes and bought with the unrest was a resurgence of conservative politic in the years of the depression.

The Second World War made way for the first labour government which had a secure majority and bought with it may social reforms which included the formation of the NHS, Keynesian economics*, trade unions etc. as well as the dismantling of the British empire. But this was of great shock to the War time conservative leader, Churchill, who was sure to become Prime Minister. The Attlee Government was most famous for the implication of the Beveridge report. Even though Beveridge was a modern liberal, he wished for social justice and in the report wished for compulsory public funded system of education, healthcare, pensions and social security.

In the 1970’s disaster struck for the labour party; the people demand industrial power to be reduced and companies to be privatised in a general strike because of Callaghan’s attempt to limit pay rises to curb inflation. The answer to the peoples demands was Margaret Thatcher; a new right conservative combining neo liberal economics with traditional conservative values, who had a motive to attack the minors to prove that she was not the woman to mess with and send a warning to other smaller unions. The privatisation of companies and de-regulation of the markets caused a boom in economics and people began spending and borrowing more than ever before, but her drive to keep unions at bay cause uproar. Her ideal society was a meritocracy and demanded that people work to achieve rewards.  There was a major clash between left and right wing politics in the 80’s with Kinnocks manifesto being described as the ‘longest suicide note in history’, campaigning against Thatcher. He wanted to get rid of nuclear weapons, nationalise companies and higher taxes.

Thatcher’s days as prime minister were bought to an end by John Majors ‘back to basics’ campaign which stood for family values, honesty and traditional British values. But his cabinet was made up of sleazy MP’s, which meant a boom for tabloid press and the use of public interest libel defence because of the contraction between MP’s behaviour and Majors Manifesto.

Jonathan Aitken, a guardian journalist was jailed for Perjury because he lied on oath about his dealings; he claimed he would use a "sword of truth" to end the lies spread by the media at this time.

In 1997 the people of the UK chose a new government in the form of New Labour, with Blair winning by a major landslide. New labour changed what the labour party stood for, amending clause four to what Blair considered fit for modern society, and becoming part of ‘third way’ politics. It is identifiable that there are barely any socialist intentions left with the New Labour Party, they have changed views of social justice to emphasize ‘equality of opportunity’ rather than other socialist views of ‘equality of outcome’ or ‘absolute equality’, but have retained the welfare state.

National politics;

The journalist is considered to be the fourth estate; a watchdog of authority and have privilege of national politics.

Legal rights (1)

John Wilkes (Hero Journalist) was forced into exile many times, he was Major of London, and elected three times whilst in Prison as a Member of Parliament  He  was involved in The North Briton newspaper, which attacked Lord Brute (PM) & King George III, and Contempt of Parliament. John Wilkes is significant in gaining free speech as part of the constitution. He was responsible for reforming parliament and used protection if city of London against Westminster, as well as establishing statutory QP for reporting on Parliament, local authorities and many other statutory QP.

Legal Rights (2) comment/freedom of expression;

Fair comment provides a defence if a comment is supported by facts, is honest, a matter of public interest and not hateful. Defence of libel is much stronger if it is about a public figure. In the US, the representation of the people act allows journalist to publish unbalanced articles about elected officials, without risk of being sued for Libel. It is considered a criminal act if it is broken.  In the UK, rules of privilege mean that whatever is said within the Houses of Parliament can be reported with the defence of qualified privilege.

Westminster - Commons and Lords;

In the House of Commons, voting is known as a division. Parties will try to influence the way MP’s votes by using the whipping system, which come in three levels (one line; voting is optional, two line; voting is necessary unless there is a ‘pair’ absent, and three line; voting is compulsory and disciplinary action may be taken if an MP doesn’t take part). Though there can be a free vote on matters of conscience within the commons.

The House of Lords scrutinizes new bills which have already been passed through the commons and have been voted on using the whips. The Lords is an unelected chamber of government, originally made up of hereditary peers, but now a Lord is usually someone with expertise in a particular area (considered very undemocratic).  For laws to implemented,  it is preferred that the Lords come to the same decision as the Commons, sometimes through much compromising, but  the House of Commons is ultimate superior because of the Parliament Act and in some circumstances can pass a bill without the Lords agreement. The lords are not allowed to vote on taxation and finance.

Hansard is a report of daily proceeding in parliament and available for public viewing. 

Political parties are usually funded by subscriptions from members, donations the wealthy, government funding.

Public Affairs Lecture one: County and district councils

The difference between local MP's and Councillors;
Local MP's have no direct influence over a constituency. Instead they act as a messenger between the people and parliament. They're independent of councils and courts. Members of the constituency are able to arrange appointments to see the MP during their 'clinic' hours, where they are then able to ask q's and make requests of topics they wish to be discussed back in Westminster.
Councillors, on the other hand, have a more direct influence on the ward of which they are a member of the council to; they are responsible for make decisions on behalf of the local community.

Types of council;
The most powerful type of council is the County council, these types of council are in charge of all of the district councils within the county, for example, Hampshire county council is the big boss of Winchester City council.
The least powerful type of council is the parish council, who in theory highlight areas of concern to the district council, who then pass this on to the county council if they feel it is necessary. The Winchester forum could be considered a parish council.
Unitary authority is a combination of the county, district and parish councils; this type of council is typical of big towns like Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth.
All councils have elected members, like parliament. The constituency's MP usually has an effect on which political leaning the council has. Councils also have their own form of cabinet.

Reporting on council meetings;
We are able to report council meetings under qualified privilege (fast, accurate and fair), using the defamation act 1996.

Local government funding;
Local governments were, during thatchers time in parliament (1990), funded by poll tax. This later changed after uproar, in 1993 to council tax. But this tax only pays for 1 quarter of what is needed to fun this from of authority. Other funding comes from central government which is ultimately gathered through income tax.
Councillors of both forms of council receive allowances for the expenses they may come across during their time as a councillor. Though members of the county council have an a lot higher allowance and will receive more if members of committees. They also have to publish what their expenses so the members of the community can keep a watchful eye over where their money is going. Council members can also become civil servants who advise MP's.

County council vs District councils;
Winchester city council have control of a budget of £2 million, and have responsibility of Leisure facilities, health provisions, parking and bin collection.
 Hampshire county council have control of a budget of £1.8billion. They are responsible for half a million homes, education (120,000 children, 10,000 teachers), libraries and country parks. They also attempt to control negate press in articles to a minimum and aim for 89% positive or neutral feedback.