an example of directdemocracy in the UK is The 2015 Recall of MPs Act,
which allows a petition to be triggered if an MP is sentenced to be imprisoned or is suspended from the Commons for more than 21 days. If 10% of eligible voters in a constituency sign the petition, a by-election is called. Directdemocracy therefore holds representatives to account
The UK is a representative democratic system based on Parliamentary Sovereignty. The direct democracy of recent referendums, particularly Brexit, has conflicted with this system.
In the Brexit referendum, the public disagreed significantly with their representatives with no major party officially supporting leave, showing the disconnect between representative and direct democracy. This, combined with the fact that referendums in the UK are not legallybinding led to a second referendum campaign and Brexit taking a longtime to complete, eventually needing an election in 2019.
For many, pluralist democracy should be encouraged as it ensures all voices in society are heard and it is less likely for minority groups to be neglected. It also promotes debate and political engagement within society.
Legitimacy is important for governments as it validates the policies of those in power, as - supposing they were stated in the election manifesto - as legitimacy has been derived from the support from the people.
