Is British democracy under threat? | Armando Iannucci | UK Politics | The New Statesman

Following arrests at the protest over King Charles' Coronation, and the introduction of voter ID, Anoosh and Armando explore if democracy in the UK is under threat.
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Is democracy slipping away from us? How protected are we by our constitution? And do governments have the power to swiftly change this?
In June, in front of a live audience, Armando and Anoosh were joined by Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, and Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic.
This episode was recorded shortly after the first data regarding voter ID impact in elections, and also after the arrest of Graham Smith at a pre-arranged Coronation protest.
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The writer, satirist and broadcaster Armando Iannucci returns to the New Statesman Podcast to co-host our fourth series of Westminster Reimagined. Across this season he is joined by co-host Anoosh Chakelian, Britain editor at the New Statesman, to explores parts of British public life he believes to be broken, and is joined by guests from inside and outside Westminster to work out how to fix them.
Watch the previous seasons of Westminster Reimagined here: • Post-truth politics ha...
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With regular contributions from our writers including Political Editor Andrew Marr and Anoosh Chakelian - host of the New Statesman podcast - we’ll help you understand the world of politics and global affairs from Westminster to Washington and beyond.
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[@jamesdegriz]

Whatever it is we have. Im pretty sure its not Democracy.

[@colincampbell4261]

Armando is a diamond.

[@Paul_C]

So repeal the voter ID!

[@kennethhymes9734]

There has been a legitimate focus on the racism and classism of voter suppression laws and tactics, and far less on the ableism. Here in Michigan, until a few days ago, it was a felony to give a person with a disability a ride to the polls, and voter ID is very much a factor even in this relatively center left state. Historically, ableism has been the nodel, the template for many other isms. It is not the last topic, it should at least sometimes be the first. And I appreciate even the reference to it here.

[@Mackerdaymia]

Stunning that helping another human being in such a basic way can be considered a serious crime. And let me guess, those that introduce such laws in Michigan are precisely the same that complain about "totalitarianism" in China/Afghanistan/North Korea etc.

[@kanedNunable]

we dont have weird stuff like that tho. plus you only have to drive 5 mins to find somewhere to vote.

[@kanedNunable]

did they make it illegal to offer water to people in long queues too? mental.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@davidclarke6329]

As an outsider. We can see your democracy being worn down at the edges.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Britain is not a democracy.

[@andreasstavrinides6980]

I'm not against giving 16/17 year olds the vote, but what's the point when 19/20/21 year olds don't vote? We need much more radical reform than that. PR would be a good start.

[@thisisnotmyscene]

When are protesters going to notice that having lovely long, friendly chats with 'liason officers' seems to often end up with an arrest?

[@brian5154]

I don't get this. In the Netherlands you cannot vote without voter ID. Makes sense to me. What is wrong with the UK???

[@nedgeson326]

The U.K. doesn’t have national ID cards like most European countries. This basically means people without a passport or driving licence (in general, poor people) would struggle to get valid ID to vote.

[@danielwebb8402]

Most countries have voter id. Because we didn't, any change must be racism. As only excuse the left can accept for anything.

[@verttikoo2052]

I tell you a secret. After June 2025 we 🇪🇺do not need to care. 👍

[@matthewnewberry7275]

Under threat? it's hopelessly broken.

[@susanb4816]

Democracy? What democracy?

[@verttikoo2052]

That constitutional democracy 🤭🤣😂

[@albertbrammer9263]

A bed egg, like declaring Rwanda safe and judges cannot say otherwise?

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Do we even have democracy, when a party is elected to form a government with a minority of support from those who vote, never mind those who don’t. FPTP is a nonsense. I’m not totally sure what the answer is, but a proportional representation would be a step in the right direction. If it results in coalition governments so be it. That’s a better prospect than what we have right now, a government that is clueless and gravely lacking in competency.

[@remainertears]

Get yourself off to the Netherlands to meet the next Prime Minister, Mr Wilders...As flawed and clumsy FPTP is, allowing small extreme parties in ends badly, everytime

[@the_forbinproject2777]

@@remainertears depends if you think the gentleman is extreme doesnt it? you have given your side of politics by your statement and no I have never voted conservative in life but I do like to see people have the choice otherwise the other parties get lazy , and they have.

[@the_forbinproject2777]

the trouble with PR isnt what version either , its that you end up with a coalition that neither set of voters actually voted for . I lean toward a more Swiss approach with more referendums

[@danielwebb8402]

So say recent Dutch election. When they finally get around to, behind closed doors without voters, setting a government. Literally zero people will have voted for that government. As it was t on the ballot paper.

[@remainertears]

@@the_forbinproject2777 I am not a fan of Wilders, he is a product of denial by the established parties in the Netherlands. He is by western norms an extremist. I am not a conservative but the left has lost

[@alex_n8863]

Brilliant discussion. The Australian voting system does sound much better; and the need for a strong written constitution in the UK is imperative!

[@mrD66M]

Democracy is like a healthy relationship. It is healthy only as long as all parties involved do what they are meant to do, have empathy/goodwill and communicate honestly about their own perspective. It is constant and often difficult work, engaging others, seeking to broaden minds not close them, a process, rather than an end goal. Once one or more parties take it for granted... or worse, deal in lies, smears, scapegoating, dismissiveness, abdication of duty/responsibility, apathy, hatred... then the end of democracy is in sight.

[@video-carl]

I agree with all the examples you give. But would you agree that we made way for such threats when an ill-framed 2016 referendum was set-up? When the vote went against the wishes of a majority of MPs and Lords and at the same time revealed there was no plan to implement the result, our democratic structures looked half-baked. If those MPs and Lords had been organised where would we have headed?

[@ScottishRoss27]

UK is a not a democracy.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

It's important to have voices like this and that there is a public forum for them to be heard. But nothing is going to change without political action. Talking isn't going to do it.

[@Phil-kt6hc]

Talking sheds light into the dark. Tell Nelson Mandela talking isn't going to do it - that's where it starts.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

@@Phil-kt6hc I don't disagree. But it isn't enough. How do you go about bringing these changes about is the next discussion.

[@andrewharris3900]

Democracy will always be under threat, unless my team is in power, only then is it safe.

[@tonyruggiero1]

If keeping doing the same thing over and over again is it the first sign of 😅😂madness

[@strategystuff5080]

"Their own people" Martin Luther King would be rolling in his grave. imagine having allegiance based on skin color smh.

[@bernardmckeown4389]

This guy is a diddy. The prime minister can change any previously agreed treaty. Surely not being able to change previous treaties would be less democratic . Fantastic joker

[@daraorourke5798]

Break it down for me Dougal : so Rishi Sunak could tear up the Good Friday Agreement , or even the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921?

[@remainertears]

@@daraorourke5798 Yes he could in theory, UK Parliament can do anything it wants, it can make and repeal any law. In practice politically it would be very difficult but the PM does have the power to do it.

[@annemoncrieff3875]

Wait a minute did that 2nd fellow from left, looking at stage, just compare Scottish police with met when Scottish police said they werent like the met?!! What a nerve. Didnt even give Scottish police force a chance to prove their claims. Just cos the met is rogue doesnt mean Scottish police r. U shld have met their silver officer or whatever his name. What an ignorant prat!! Remember Scottish law is different to bloody little english law. I am sick and tired of being attached to our facist neighbours. Absolutely sick of it.

[@Phil-kt6hc]

The Welsh government are currently making it easier to vote - check it out. It may make a good video.

[@willieckaslike]

British Democracy ? What on earth is that ? Oh I see. Just another Unicorn then !

[@BobQuigley]

Fall of House of Lords, new star wars movie.

[@fretish5425]

Since 2010

[@mchahal22]

If you find it inconvenient to vote are you fit to deserve democracy?🤔

[@TrevorBarre]

What a passive audience!

[@oneeleven9832]

Democracy is like two wolves & a sheep voting for whats for dinner..at this point we need a hard ass to grab whats left of this country & do as the people say..instead of ignoring us..

[@tonyruggiero1]

And get the same results 😂

[@umwhatthistime]

All people like Iannucci ever do is tut tut from the sidelines and make lame comedy sketches - Futile

[@umwhatthistime]

@@dpict1088 talking heads

[@jtreg]

we need a hero like this man:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasil_Levski