Democratic systems are safeguarded
against abuse and concentration of power
Checks and balances are an essential feature of a healthy democracy because they serve as safeguards against the abuse of power. Checks and balances make it harder for a government to suppress minority rights, undermine the rule of law, and neutralise opposing and independent voices. Checks and balances are even more critical in the event of the election of a government with populist or authoritarian tendencies.
The UK’s system of democratic checks and balances is a complex and evolving network of institutions, conventions, and laws designed to prevent the concentration of power and ensure accountability. These include things like the relationship between government and parliament, as well as the tools used by people to ensure government operates accountably, transparently, and to the highest possible standard.
The past decade has been marked by a concentration of power, evasion of scrutiny and accountability, ministerial encroachment on the independence of regulators, and a decline in conduct and standards, all of which have exposed the vulnerability to backsliding of a system reliant on norms, conventions and self-restraint. Our voting system often doesn’t properly reflect the wishes of voters, enabling one party to govern unchecked even with minority support.
Funding areas may include:
- Strengthening electoral integrity by ensuring that elections are free and fair and run to the highest standard, the voting system is reformed to provide a check on unfettered political power, and the Electoral Commission’s independence is restored, protected and strengthened.
- Strengthening parliament’s ability to hold the executive accountable and effectively scrutinise primary and secondary legislation, including the roles of – and relationships between – the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
- Ensuring independent processes for appointing public officials and members of the House of Lords.
- Ensuring tools such as inquiries function effectively to provide accountability for the exercise of government power.
- Protecting a functional freedom of information regime, enabling politicians and public bodies to be held accountable.
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