Has universal suffrage gone far enough?
Although all British men and women have had the vote on an equal
basis since 1928, this does not mean that campaigning
for democracy has ended. Even today the unelected House
of Lords has great influence. People in the outlying
areas of the UK - Scotland and Wales, have campaigned
for 'devolution' that gives these regions their own
parliamentary style bodies and more local autonomy.
The electoral systems - proportional representation
versus first past the post (where the candidate with
the largest vote becomes the MP) are also debated.
In a world of globalisation and international bodies such
as the EU, UN, Nato and World Trade Organisation the
question of universal suffrage is more complicated.
Does universal suffrage equal true democracy and if
not, how can it be improved?
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In
1832, Macaulay, a leading MP, argued that the vote should be extended
on these grounds: 'reform that you may preserve'. What he meant
was that making concessions could prevent revolution and preserve
the wealth of the elite in society. The UK still has a monarchy,
aristocrats and an unelected House of Lords though this is set to
change soon).