Can The UK Really Be Described As A Democracy?

[Dashing Bob S]

...as it has a royal family, an aristocracy who own most of the land and an unelected heriditary-based second chamber?

Surely this goes against the notion that all citizens are equal, which is a precursor to democracy.

[Betty Boop]

...as it has a royal family, an aristocracy who own most of the land and an unelected heriditary-based second chamber?

Surely this goes against the notion that all citizens are equal, which is a precursor to democracy.

I thought the UK was a Constitutional Monarchy, with the Queen as Head of State ? :greengrin

[hibsbollah]

From the Greek; Demos 'the mob' Kratos 'rule'. The only literal democracy was in ancient Athens where the plebs joined the intellectuals , (but not the slaves or the wifies) nd went up on the hill and had a show of hands on the important questions of the day. A bit like the X Factor.But thats a pedantic answer :greengrin.

[Dashing Bob S]

I thought the UK was a Constitutional Monarchy, with the Queen as Head of State ? :greengrin

That's exactly what it is.

[sidjames]

Governments come and go, tweak bits here and there and move on. The ruling classes keep their land,
wealth and privileges thereof. Moons upon many ago I worked at the very heart of government. To have any real change was not top of any agendas I saw.

[steakbake]

The Westminster consensus is there to protect and further the interests of the status quo. There is nothing genuinely radical in politics.

It's kind of why I have an aversion to UK politics - it's just a pantomime with the same tired old script. Sometimes Widow Twanky wears red, other times she wears blue.

[snooky]

The Westminster consensus is there to protect and further the interests of the status quo. There is nothing genuinely radical in politics.

It's kind of why I have an aversion to UK politics - it's just a pantomime with the same tired old script. Sometimes Widow Twanky wears red, other times she wears blue.

I'd describe our constitution as a "Controlled Democratic Tyranny".

[heretoday]

Well, we all get a vote. That's about it.

Far more people voted Labour than Lib Dem in the last election and yet there's Danny Alexander on tv looking smug and defending "our" i.e. the government's record.

[ginger_rice]

I thought the UK was a Constitutional Monarchy, with the Queen as Head of State ? :greengrin

Hmm but does the UK have a constitution?

[Betty Boop]

Hmm but does the UK have a constitution?

Yes although it is unwritten.

[ginger_rice]

Yes although it is unwritten.

Bit like a hidden agenda :devil::devil:

[Betty Boop]

Bit like a hidden agenda :devil::devil:

Well yeah ! :greengrin

[Phil D. Rolls]

I suppose the thing that brings home your freedom is when you talk to immigrants. Many of them cite the fact they aren't looking over their shoulder all the time as one of the reasons they stay here.

[Bishop Hibee]

...as it has a royal family, an aristocracy who own most of the land and an unelected heriditary-based second chamber?

Surely this goes against the notion that all citizens are equal, which is a precursor to democracy.

There would never have been a minimum wage, a devolved Scottish parliament or a tax credit system under the Tories or Lib Dems whether you think they are good or bad things. A level of democracy in action as I think they were in Labour's manifesto.

The current UK recession caused by the financial meltdown shows how limited democracy is. No party will 'take on' the markets and the failed system we have at present so are forcing cuts on those who can least afford it while the bankers continue to profit with impunity. Doesn't leave anyone with an alternative view much of a choice which is reflected in the continuing decline in the percentage of those on the electoral roll voting in elections.

[ballengeich]

I suppose the thing that brings home your freedom is when you talk to immigrants. Many of them cite the fact they aren't looking over their shoulder all the time as one of the reasons they stay here.

Good post.

[Sir David Gray]

Ask some of the citizens of Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, North Korea, Syria and Zimbabwe, who are over here to live and work, about whether they think the UK is a democracy or not.

I'm sure you'll get your answer.

Britain is far from perfect and we have had various examples of undemocratic practices in this country, such as the MPs denying the people the opportunity to vote on our EU membership, despite the fact that 100,000 people signed a petition.

However, Britain will always be thought of as one of the most democratic nations on the planet.

[ballengeich]

Britain is far from perfect and we have had various examples of undemocratic practices in this country, such as the MPs denying the people the opportunity to vote on our EU membership, despite the fact that 100,000 people signed a petition.


Are you suggesting that there should be a referendum every time a pressure group can get about a quarter of one per cent of the voters to sign up to a petition?

[PeeJay]

However, Britain will always be thought of as one of the most democratic nations on the planet.

Hmmm? This the same Britain that complains of so-called "unelected" MPs in Europe dictating laws that are effective in the UK while apparently quite happily accepting some 26 "Bishops" in the HoL with hundreds of UNELECTED" life peers? :confused: - Why not have a referendum on that before turning to the EU?

Also find it interesting you compare the UK "democracy" so favorably with non-democratic countries - but how does it stand up against democratic ones? I personally think Germany's federal republic system is a far better and fairer one, although no system is perfect.

The UK is too London-centric and it is time that the HoL and that ridiculous monarchy go - time for a republic, then you can point fingers at the EU and talk of democracy - IMHO:greengrin

[heretoday]

Hmm but does the UK have a constitution?

Hold on while we transfer you to Brussels......

[Twa Cairpets]

I'm pretty sure that techinically we're subjects rather than citizens.

[RyeSloan]

Hmmm? This the same Britain that complains of so-called "unelected" MPs in Europe dictating laws that are effective in the UK while apparently quite happily accepting some 26 "Bishops" in the HoL with hundreds of UNELECTED" life peers? :confused: - Why not have a referendum on that before turning to the EU?

Also find it interesting you compare the UK "democracy" so favorably with non-democratic countries - but how does it stand up against democratic ones? I personally think Germany's federal republic system is a far better and fairer one, although no system is perfect.

The UK is too London-centric and it is time that the HoL and that ridiculous monarchy go - time for a republic, then you can point fingers at the EU and talk of democracy - IMHO:greengrin

Good post...no democracy is perfect, it can't be really be design but ones based around devolving power as close to the people as possible should be considered as 'better' than others..Germany is probably a very good example of a 'good' democracy however Britain in world terms still has to be up there I would say.

[Hibrandenburg]

I suppose the thing that brings home your freedom is when you talk to immigrants. Many of them cite the fact they aren't looking over their shoulder all the time as one of the reasons they stay here.

What! That's one of the reasons I left :-)

[Sir David Gray]

Are you suggesting that there should be a referendum every time a pressure group can get about a quarter of one per cent of the voters to sign up to a petition?

No but I am suggesting that there should be a referendum on an issue that has evolved and become something that is totally unrecognisable from the thing that the British people voted in favour of, almost 40 years ago.

Opinion polls which have been done have consistently shown that there is enough evidence of anti-EU feeling in the United Kingdom to warrant a referendum being held.

There's no danger that the mainstream politicians will ever allow that to happen though. Cameron proved that by bringing in the whips to dictate to his MPs how they were to vote.

[Hibstrooper]

Moons upon many ago I worked at the very heart of government. To have any real change was not top of any agendas I saw.

You sure it wasn't the Jedi council you worked for master yoda?