Starter

• In your groups, think of as many political parties as you can. How many can we name as a class.

Leaders

Political Change

Learning objectives

1) Students can explain the difference between the roles of local and national Government.

2) Students are able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of different voting systems.

3) Students can define what an election manifesto is and can read example manifestos and come to a voting conclusion in a mock election.

Differences between local, national and international governments • Local Government is make decisions that only affect your own area. They are

better placed to make these decisions as they have a better knowledge of the local area. They make decisions on the following…

Education fire and public safety transport planning

social care libraries waste management trading standards

• National Government runs the country. It creates country wide laws on the big issues that local Governments must abide by. Local Governments are issued power by the Central Government to decide local specifc variations of the laws.

LO1 - Students can explain the difference between the roles of local and national Government.

National Government

•What is happening on Thursday 7th May 2015?

General Election• This is where the country decide democratically, who we would like to

run the country. SMSC – Cultural issue. How will the

election affect modern Britain?

What will political parties do to get your vote.• During the run up to an election, political parties will pledge to do

certain things if they get elected to try and secure your vote.

• This is placed in their MANIFESTO

• Defined as…“a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued

before an election by a political party or candidate.”LO3 - Students can define what an election manifesto is and can read example manifestos and come to a voting conclusion in a mock election.

Task• I have placed around the room, the four main political party manifestos on

the following issues

• Immigration• Healthcare• Jobs• Education• Law and order

• Your task is to go around the room and discover for yourself what each parties’ view is upon each of the issues and write a mini summary for each section. Once you have decided which party reflects your ideologies, we will have a mini vote and bring a party into power in our classroom.

Voting

• Your vote should be secret. Nobody has the right to know who you have voted for. Why?

• Votes are completed in booths so nobody else can see.

SMSC – Social issue. Free vote.

Different types of voting system

• First past the post

• Proportional representation

• Alternative voting

LO2 - Students are able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of different voting systems.

First past the post

Positives• Simple to understand – just need a majority of seats to win• Quick – doesn’t take long to count one vote• Tends to create a two party system so doesn’t have to rely on smaller parties to

make laws.

Negatives• Representatives can be elected on tiny majorities• Can lead to confusion – hung parliament e.g. Coalition Government 2010-2015.• Can lead to wasted and tactical voting

Proportional representation• Reflects make up of vote as accurately as

possible.

Positives• Higher degree of proportional governments.• All votes have equal value (none are wasted)

Negatives• Very slow decision making – more lobbying

required to make laws.• Doesn’t allow for independent candidates.

Alternative voting• Voter puts a ‘1’ next to their first choice, ‘2’ next to their second choice and

continues until they don’t want to see another get a seat.

• If there is no clear majority leader, the party with the least amount of votes is removed and the vote occurs again.

Positives• Removes the need for tactical voting

Negatives• Can create very disproportionate results• The 2nd vote can become very powerful if the public all vote for the same second

party.

RESULTS

Plenary - Mouldy Orange

• If you receive the ball you must answer a question regarding today’s lesson.

• Once you have answered, you can set another question and throw the orange to another person.

• Example questions• What is a manifesto?• Name one type of voting system.