democracy and government for a primary school audience

Nick Jones@nickjonescoi

Head of Digital CommunicationsPrime Minister’s Office & Cabinet Office

UnderstandingDemocracy and Government

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Big issues and big decisions

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How do we run the National Health Service?

When should we withdraw the Army from fighting in Afganistan?

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Where should the railway go?How do we make the trains run on time?

Where should schools be?

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Who polices the police?

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And, what about justice? What laws should there be?

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How do we make those decisions?We need some rules!

Rules = GovernanceGovernments make the rulesCan you think of a useful rule?What might happen if there were no rules?

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So who decides on the rules?Our representatives do.

Who’s our representative

?

Why are there

two sides?

Who’s the Prime

Minister?

How do we choose our representatives?

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Parties try to persuade you: pamphlets, posters, websites and debates

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Elections: lets look at a ballot paper

• Which party does Mr Andrews represent?• Who is the Green Party’s candidate?• How many people can you vote for?• What kind of mark do you make?• What is unique about your ballot paper?

(Clue: have a look on the back.)

• Now it’s your turn!

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What happens after an election?The winner goes to parliament to represent us.

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Where do they govern? Where do they decide on the rules?• Councils• Parliaments• International bodies

• Which council district do we live in?

• How many parliaments are there in the UK?

• Can you name an international body that governs?

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What do they do in parliament and government?

The biggest party forms the government….… but it isn’t always easy

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The government proposes policies.Policies are the ideal programme of activity on issues

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They get debated, scrutinised and voted on

• People try and persuade their representatives

• Others protest outside and inside!

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But how do you get everyone on your side to agree?Ministers agree things around the cabinet table.

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Government departments carry out the policy.There civil servants help ministers govern

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Different departments do different things. Civil servants work in departments to make things happen.

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You have to tell people about the policy and how it affects them?

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Promote

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Advise Enforce

So what do I do?

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• I work in the Prime Minister’s Office• With some interesting colleagues

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I run the Prime Minister’s web site

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Learn more about past Prime Ministers

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Take a tour inside Number 10

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We get lots of visitors

The vote!

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Thank you

Thank you.

www.number10.gov.uk