CfE Higher Politics

1.

Itis stated that “The 2007 elections to the Scottish parliament were a triumphfor democracy and also witnessed a significant rise in voter participation” Source Aindicates to us the voter turnout by region in the 1999 2003 and 2007elections. It indicates to us that participation did indeed increase whencompared to the election previously before it (2003), with a rise of 2.3%scotlandwide, and an increase in turnout locally across the board. However, itcannot be said that this was a triumph for democracy, as indicated by the 1999turnout, in which there was a significant decrease when it is compared to the2007 election. The 2007 was still around 7% lower than the turnout in the 1999election, and as such, it cannot be considered as democratic as the 1999election. Therefore, interms of the statement “The 2007 elections to the Scottish parliament were atriumph for democracy and also witnessed a significant rise in voterparticipation”, it can be found to be incorrect. Although there was indeed arise in voter participation compared to 2003 election in 2007, it can be foundthat it cannot be considered a triumph for democracy, as the voter turnout wasstill around 7% lower than that in 1999. It is also statedthat “The election represented an overwhelming victory across all parts ofScotland for the SNP whilst Labour and the Liberal Democrats emerged as the biggestlosers” Source Bindicates to us the % change in the share of vote for particular parties. Itindicates to us that in terms of regional share of vote, the SNP were indeedthe biggest winner, gaining 10.2%. However, it can be found that the most significantloss was not held by Labour and the Lib Dems who lost only 0.1% and 0.5%respectively. It was instead the Green Party and the SSP who were the biggestlosers, losing 2.9% and 4.5% respectively. Therefore, it can be found that thebiggest losers on the night were the SSP and Green party. Source Cindicates to us the MSP’s by region after the 2007 election. It indicates to usthat the SNP were not the overwhelming victors in all parts of Scotland, withthe SNP actually losing in terms of having the most seats per area in 4 areas,and drawing in one. They lost in areas like Central Scotland and West Scotland,and drew in places like Lothian. Overall, the SNP has only one more seat compared to their nearest rivalslabour. Therefore, it can be found that the SNP were not the overwhelmingvictors across Scotland, as they were defeated in several key areas includingCentral Scotland and West Scotland. Therefore, interms of the statement “The election represented an overwhelming victory acrossall parts of Scotland for the SNP whilst Labour and the Liberal Democratsemerged as the biggest losers”, it can be found to be incorrect, as, in termsof % change regionally, the biggest losers were found to be the SSP and theGreen party, and not Labour and the Lib Dems. Furthermore, in terms of the SNPbeing overwhelming victors, is also incorrect, as they were defeated in keyareas in terms of seats like Central and West Scotland. In conclusion itcan be found that in terms of the whole statement “The 2007 elections to theScottish parliament were a triumph for democracy and also witnessed asignificant rise in voter participation. The election represented anoverwhelming victory across all parts of Scotland for the SNP whilst Labour andthe Liberal Democrats emerged as the biggest losers.” It can overall be foundto be incorrect. The information provided by source A indicates that it was nota triumph for democracy in 2007, due to the poor results compared to the 1999voter participation, which had dropped by 7% by 2007.