A Level Politics - Representative democracy's drawbacks
Representative democracy critics contend that MPs are frequently alienated from the population and hence do not sufficiently reflect their interests in the UK. A self-perpetuating Westminster 'bubble' separates voters from their politicians, thanks to powerful pressure organisations and lobbyists, as well as the London-based media. Outside interests, such as second employment (as long as they report them), might exacerbate a conflict of interest and jeopardise an MP's capacity to completely represent their constituency. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, for example, became editor of the Evening Standard while still a Member of Parliament. Because it is elected by first-past-the-post, the Westminster Parliament is particularly unrepresentative (FPTP). As a result, the Conservative and Labour parties dominate the House of Commons, while minority parties like UKIP and the Greens have struggled to secure adequate representation, despite polling well. The majority of members of Parliament are still white, male, and from the middle class. Critics claim that the interests of lower-income voters are not adequately reflected. The House of Lords is unelected and so unaccountable to the public, eroding Parliament's representational function even more.
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