Th2 - A) Power And Politics Flashcards
How does an election work
The country is split into constituencies.
Each constituency is allowed to elect 1 person.
The person who wins is called an MP.
Where do MP’s belong to?
Political parties
Three main political parties in the UK
Conservative
Labour
Liberal Democrats
What is Britain’s voting system called?
First past the post
What’s good about first past the post
It gives one winner who can make quick choices.
The leaders are therefore powerful.
Proportional representation
It’s a form of voting where power is split depending on the % of votes received
Is every vote important
Yes
How can people vote
Go to a polling station.
Through proxy.
Through the post.
Why should people vote
It’s your chance to get your voice heard.
If you don’t vote then somebody you don’t like might get elected.
Why shouldn’t you vote
Politicians never listen.
It’s a waste of time, 1 vote won’t make a difference.
How do we choose our leaders?
An election is taken place every 4 or 5 years
What’s the trend in voting recent years
- less people are voting
- the trend is decreasing
- 1997 election- 71.5% the public voted
- 2001 election - 59.4% the public voted
Manifesto
Before an election, each part release promises that they will fulfil if they win.
What happens after a person reads a manifesto
They decide which party to agree with
Why do voters vote for political parties?
For important issues
Where you live
Who your family votes for
Their social class
How do parties make sure you vote for them
Send out leaflets
Go door canvassing
Hold public meetings
Why do people want to become MPs
To make a change in their community
To have a say in society
Express their views
What is the leader of the government called
Prime minister
What happens in parliament
Each MP must represent the views of the people in their area and their political party
What does the government do
Runs the country, suggests new laws
How does the government get money
Through tax
Income Tax
Taken out of people’s salaries. More you earn the more tax you pay.
VAT
When you buy food, clothes, books.
Excise duty (TAX)
Things that are not good for us, alcohol & cigarettes.
Corporation Tax
This is paid on the profit made by the business
Why do we pay tax
So the government gives us services
What do our tax pay for
Police Army Teachers Doctors Roads Street Lights
Who is in charge of the governments money
The chancellor of exchequer
How does the government make new laws
FIRST READING
The bill is introduced to the parliament
How does the government make new laws
SECOND READING
A few weeks later, the bill is debated by MPs. A vote is taken, if the majority want it, the bill is passed.
How does the government make new laws
STANDING COMMITTEE
A group of 16 to 20 MPs look at the bill and make possible changes that came up in the second reading
How does the government make new laws
REPORT STAGE
The committee sends the report, with all the changes, back to the MPs. The changes are either ignored or approved.
How does the government make new laws
HOUSE OF LORDS
The lords look at the bill.
If they disagree with it they send it back to the MPs in the House of Commons.
How does the government make new laws
THIRD READING
The changes bill is debated in the House of Commons. Each MP votes if they approve of it or not
How does the government make new laws
ROYAL ASSENT
Once the bill has passed the House of Commons and House of Lords it’s sent to the queen to sign the bill.
Once the bill is signed it becomes a law.
Who are the House of Lords
They are lords who check bills.
How are lords chosen
Some are chosen through family history / are picked by the government
What can lords do
They can postpone a law if they disagree with it but they can’t cancel a law.
Referendum
A vote when all the public aged 18 and over vote on an issue to decide where it should become a law or not.
Constituency
An area of Britain which elects 1 MP
How many constituencies are there
650
By-election
it’s an election when an MP retires, is sacked or dies
What did labour promise in their manifesto at the last election
To bring down hospital waiting lists
What did the conservatives promise in their manifesto at the last election
Lower taxes
What did liberal democrats promise in their manifestos at the last election
To stop university students paying tuition fees.
To increase income tax for the richest.
What does the opposition do
Tries to stop the governments ideas becoming a law. They challenge the government & tries to make them look wrong
What happens if the government makes unpopular laws
The public has got a chance to change the government every 4 or 5 years in a general election.
Local council
A group of people who are elected to look after the affairs of a town, district or county.
Councillor
A member of the local council who has been elected by people in the area
How are councillors elected
Through local elections
Do councillors get paid
No. They do a voluntary job. Can claim expenses.
Why do people want to be councillors
They want to make a change in their local area
What does the council do
Responsible for the running of the local town
What services is the local council responsible for
Education Social services Police Fire brigade Housing Transport
How does the council get money
Money from central government
Council tax
Business rates
How is council tax worked out
Charges are based on the value of the property one lives in
What does the local council spend most of its money on
Education and social services
How can you have your voice heard
You can vote at election.
You can talk to your councillor.
You can look at the councils plans for the future.
Go council / cabinet meeting
How can you complain to the local or government
You can write to the council.
You can start a campaign and protest.
Join a pressure group.
Pressure group
A group of people who try to change public / government / council policy to agree with their beliefs
How can pressure groups protest
Write letters Petitions Contact councillors / newspapers Contact MPs Marches Boycott Strikes Planned violence Letter bombs
Why must pressure groups be careful
If they use violent or dangerous protests then they may scare away people who agree with them
Are there any international pressure groups
Yes. One example is Amnesty International
Amnesty international
World wide pressure group that campaigns to save people who are imprisoned, hurt or threatened by their government.
Another international pressure group
Greenpeace- care about the environment
