Democracy: Part 1

In this lesson we will be exploring democracy and how it works Images: Clipart 2 © Young Citizens

Learning Objectives 3 By the end of this lesson, I will understand: What democracy means. How a general election works. The role of an MP, and the Prime Minister. What political parties are. How I can find out about the views of politicians, and why this is important. What a secret ballot is. Images: Clipart 3 © Young Citizens

Who rules the UK? Queen - https://pixabay.com/en/queen-england-elizabeth-ii-portrait-63006/ Police - https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-officer-s-uniform-black-standing-during-parade-89427/ Parliament - https://pixabay.com/en/houses-of-parliament-london-big-ben-1055056/ Army - https://pixabay.com/en/english-soldier-laugh-tough-724748/ The people- https://pixabay.com/en/crowd-of-people-crowd-football-fans-1488213/ 4 © Young Citizens

Krátos means rule or strength. Democracy comes from two Greek words Dêmos means people, Krátos means rule or strength. So, democracy means ‘rule by the people’. 5 © Young Citizens

Does everybody rule at the same time? But what does that mean? Does everybody rule at the same time? How can we make decisions that everyone agrees with? I have a better idea Yes! I Disagree! NO! Rubbish! 6 © Young Citizens

If everyone was in charge it could be difficult to get anything done. So instead we hold a general election to choose people who can represent us. The people who we elect are called Members of Parliament or MPs. Crowd: https://pixabay.com/en/vote-crowd-conference-group-146962/ Their job is to listen to us and then speak on our behalf. 7 © Young Citizens

Let’s find out about general elections In the UK they happen at least every five years. Anyone who wants to become an MP must stand as a candidate. British citizens over 18 vote for the candidate they want to represent their local area. 8 © Young Citizens

The UK is split into areas called constituencies The UK is split into areas called constituencies. There are 650 in total. Several candidates compete for votes in each constituency. The candidate who wins the most votes at the election becomes the MP for that area. You can find out about your constituency and MP at: https://constituencyfinder.digiminster.com/ 9 © Young Citizens

A political party is a group of people who share similar views about the changes they would make if they were elected. The actions that they agree to take are called policies. Most MP candidates who ‘stand’ for election belong to a political party. However, some people do stand as an ‘independent’ candidate. Political party logos - https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=VEktiR9R&id=4AB5F039AD3B9DE5CE2213C8FBBB726057A490CA&thid=OIP.VEktiR9RMO6RR8KZwITPdwHaEQ&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fi1.wp.com%2fblog.print-print.co.uk%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2015%2f05%2fUK_main_Political_party-logos-print-print.jpg%3fresize%3d825%252C475&exph=475&expw=825&q=UK+political+party+logos&simid=608031783844907947&selectedIndex=1&qft=+filterui%3alicense-L2_L3_L4&ajaxhist=0 10 © Young Citizens

Can you name the three main political parties and their leaders? Prime Minister Boris Johnson Jeremy Corbyn Nicola Sturgeon 11 © Young Citizens

Election Day! 12 Election Day is also called Polling Day. On Election Day, people go to a Polling Station to vote (‘cast a ballot’) for the candidate of their choice. Individuals cast their ballots in a private booth so that no one can see who they are voting for. This is called a ‘secret ballot.’ 12 © Young Citizens

Q: Do you think everybody who voted is happy with the result? 13 At the end of the election day the votes are counted and the candidate with the most votes (the majority) in each constituency is declared the winner. Q: Do you think everybody who voted is happy with the result? https://pixabay.com/en/cartoon-faces-expressions-emotions-1769064/ 13 © Young Citizens

Boris Johnson Q: Who is the Prime Minister? 14 At the end of an election, the political party with the most MPs wins. The leader of the winning party becomes the Prime Minister. Q: Who is the Prime Minister? Boris Johnson 14 © Young Citizens

Q: Why is it important to find out the views of the different parties and candidates before voting? World: https://pixabay.com/en/planet-earth-cartoon-world-2831514/ Classroom: https://pixabay.com/en/teacher-student-school-education-2928817/ Hospital - https://pixabay.com/en/nurse-vaccination-boy-hospital-2915543/ Worker - https://pixabay.com/en/electrician-electric-linesman-3309404/ 15 © Young Citizens

Where can people find out about the views of different political parties and candidates? Online TV Newspapers News websites Social media Political party websites The news Live debates Online: https://pixabay.com/en/office-business-accountant-620822/ Newspaper: https://pixabay.com/en/newspaper-article-journal-headlines-154444/ TV: https://pixabay.com/en/children-tv-child-television-home-403582/ 16 © Young Citizens

What would you like to change? 17 © Young Citizens

Democracy is about more than just voting. There are lots of ways that people can participate and make their voice heard! You can petition the government You can email your MP 18 © Young Citizens

19 You can lobby your MP about local and national issues. If you disagree with the government, you can join a peaceful protest march. You can campaign for a cause that you think is important. https://pixabay.com/en/office-digital-tablet-people-2585036/ You can lobby your MP about local and national issues. 19 © Young Citizens

20 Vote in your school council election, or stand as a candidate. Keep informed. Watch and read the news. Vote in your school council election, or stand as a candidate. Practice your listening and public speaking skills. Research your rights and responsibilities. https://pixabay.com/en/democrats-america-vote-box-banner-3594094/ https://pixabay.com/en/laptop-apple-macbook-computer-2559795/ https://pixabay.com/en/introduction-microphone-speech-ceo-3616867/ 20 © Young Citizens

21 Did you know… Women were not allowed to vote in Britain until 1918. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters began campaigning for the right to vote. This was called the Suffrage Movement. Emmeline Pankhurst and her supporters were called Suffragettes. WSPU poster by Hilda Dallas, 1909 21 © Young Citizens

Many Suffragettes were sent to prison for campaigning to have the right to vote. Over time, the Suffragettes’ campaign tactics became violent. After campaigning for over 10 years, some women were finally given the right to vote. Matzene, Chicago Restored by Adam Cuerden - http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mnwp.275016 Emmeline Pankhurst, c. 1913 22 © Young Citizens

Are all countries ruled by the people? Each country in the world has its own special laws that affect their people and how they live. Their laws come from the country’s unique history and culture. In Saudi Arabia, the king rules. The people are not allowed to vote or participate to make changes. In China, the people are not allowed to vote for a different government. In Thailand, the army seized power in May 2014. The power of the people is limited. 23 © Young Citizens

Plenary 24 Describe three new things you have learnt today. What does democracy mean? How can you take part in democracy? What is an MP? Why is it important to find out the views of your local MP and political parties? List three places you could find out more about your local MP and the political parties. 24 © Young Citizens