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This article is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here. It was the winning entry in the 2023 FT competition with the Political Studies Association, written by Isaac Stark from Highgate Wood Sixth Form.
The United Kingdom is at a critical point, facing challenges that demand a complete overhaul of its political system. Urgent and decisive action is required.
However, the current political system suffers from inherent flaws, such as entrenched interests and a lack of accountability. As a result, it is ill-equipped to address these pressing issues. It is imperative to implement comprehensive reforms that promote more efficient and inclusive approaches to tackling these challenges.
One area in need of urgent reform is political representation. The first-past-the-post system has led to a toxic political landscape dominated by two parties, leaving many segments of the population feeling disenfranchised.
In the 2019 general election, for example, the Conservative party won 56% of the seats with just 43.6% of the popular vote, while the Liberal Democrats received only 1.7% of the seats despite winning nearly 12% of the vote.
This disparity highlights the need for a more proportionally representative system that allows for a diverse range of political viewpoints to be represented in Parliament. This would foster robust debate, compromise, and decision-making, preventing a privileged few from holding concentrated power.
Another crucial reform is increasing public participation in the political process. Citizen assemblies, where randomly selected individuals discuss and recommend key issues, lead to more democratic and representative decision-making based on diverse perspectives.
In Ireland, citizen assemblies have successfully addressed contentious issues like abortion and climate change. Compulsory voting, although potentially controversial due to concerns about personal freedom, would contribute to a truly representative democracy.
The current system also suffers from a lack of transparency, with politicians evading scrutiny. For instance, Conservative MP Scott Benton was caught in a lobbying scandal, while a Led By Donkeys investigation revealed parliamentary representatives willing to take on second jobs for exorbitant wages, all while their constituents struggled with the cost of living.
To rebuild trust in the political system, it is crucial to enforce mandatory disclosure of lobbying activities, establish uniform and capped state-allocated campaigning budgets, and implement rigorous checks and balances regarding government decision-making.
The lack of diversity in political representation is another pressing issue. Women and ethnic minorities are significantly under-represented in Parliament, undermining the democratic principle of equal representation. It is vital to implement quotas to ensure diverse representation and provide increased support for candidates from under-represented groups.
Sweden and Germany have successfully enforced gender quotas in politics, leading to increased female representation in their respective parliaments. Furthermore, the current system has contributed to a growing wealth gap and a lack of social mobility.
To address these issues, it is essential to implement progressive taxation policies, invest in social welfare programs, promote fair wages and workers’ rights, and provide increased support for public services and infrastructure. Prioritizing policies that support SMEs and local economies to foster inclusive economic growth and reduce regional disparities, especially in the North, is paramount.
Climate change represents one of the most urgent challenges facing the UK and global governance. Unfortunately, the current political system has been ineffective in addressing this issue, lacking decisive action and failing to prioritize necessary changes.
To rectify this, it is necessary to establish a dedicated department for environmental issues with the power and resources to implement policies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Investment in renewable energy, environmental conservation, and socially responsible production methods is crucial. By leveraging state ownership and control, the government can enact policies and regulations that promote environmentally sustainable practices and alleviate the adverse impacts of economic activities. This will demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the urgent threat of climate change and ensure that it remains a top priority on the political agenda.
The challenges facing the nation call for comprehensive reforms. By creating a more democratic, responsive, and effective system with bold and transformative changes, the UK can build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all its citizens.
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