Transcript Starter - Politically Speaking

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
LO1 - Students can explain the difference between
international governments the roles of local and national Government.
• 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
social care
libraries
waste management
transport
planning
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.
National Government
•What is happening on Thursday
May 2015?
th
7
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 20102015.
• 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.