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- 97% of 16-17 year olds in Scotland said they would vote again - 2 million Brexit voters are now dead (elderly voters). Now, the UK is pro-Remain. Younger voters, who are more affected by Brexit, largely voted to remain. - Only 8% of the public support extending the vote to prisoners - Electoral Commission said that 75% of 16-17 year olds voted in the Scottish IndyRef - Isle of Man 16-17 turnout fell from 55% to 46%

Party Membership has fallen since WW2 to now - Conservative party membership fell from 3 million to 130,000 - Labour party membership fell from 1 million to 350,000 Lower voter turnout in General Elections - fell from 75% average in 1950-2000 to 60% in 2024. - 18-24 turnout around 50%, but turnout among >75 is higher than 80% 2019 Hansard Audit showed that 47% of the people felt disillusioned

- 1997 Welsh Devolution referendum 50.1% turnout - 2011 AV referendum 42% turnout - 2014 IndyRef 84.6% turnout. 75% of eligible 16-24 year olds voted. - 2016 Brexit referendum. 72% turnout - Switzerland, which uses direct democracy, has 10 referenda per year. It is ranked as the 5th most democractic state globally, while the UK is 17th

- increased unemployment (>3 million) - Falklands victory for Thatcher 1982 - 1972-4 under Labour faced miners strikes => lack of industrial work => 3-day electricity week - Thatcher was against such labour unions - Labour internal divisions (Gang of Four quit in 1981, set up SDP Liberal alliance)

- Labour needed 24000 votes per seat, Reform needed over 800000 votes per seat (lack of proportionality) - Reform won 14.29% of the vote but only 5 seats - Green won 6.39% of the vote but only 4 seats - Lib Dems won only 12% of the vote but got 72 seats - Labour won only 33% of the vote but over 63% fo the seats - Small party = 42.6% vote (tactical voting)

Hirst vs UK ECHR case about prisoner voting rights Challenged blanket ban under Representation of the People Act 1983 ECHR ruled UK's total ban violated the Right to Free Elections UK Parliament refused to change law despite court ruling Shows limits of European Courts when Parliament strongly opposes (sovereignty)

AV Dicey, pillar of UK Democracy - Nobody can be punished without trial - right to fair trial (however 2001 terrorist detentions) - Nobody is about the law - rule of law - Constitution interpretations from judges but Parliament remains sovereign

- State money is clean - No undue influence of a single donor - Parties can focus on representing the people instead of donors - Improves party equality - 2007 Phillips Report supports state funding - If it is based on seats in Parliament, it encourages full campaigns over campaigning over just marginal seats - Easier to limit overall spending