Representation - Group Quiz

Representation

• The UK is a representative democracy.

• This means representatives are elected to represent us (MPs/MSPs).

• These people make decisions on our behalf.

John Mason MSP for Glasgow Shettleston

Margaret Curran, MP for Glasgow East

My Representatives – match up

MP

MSP

MEP

Member of Scottish Parliament

Member of Parliament

Member of European Parliament

Local Councillor (add this to your list)

Your Representatives – British Parliament

• MP – Glasgow East – Margaret Curran

• The seat is made up of Baillieston, Carmyle, Easterhouse, Parkhead, Shettleston and Tollcross and surrounding areas.

Your Representatives – Scottish Parliament

• MSP – Glasgow Provan – Paul Martin

• MSP – Glasgow Shettleston – John Mason

• Also 7 additional regional MSPs who represent whole of Glasgow…

One of these MSPs represents you in your

constituency

Your Representatives – European Parliament

• MEPs – represent Scotland as a whole…

Your Representatives – Local Councillors

Your Representatives – Local Councillors

Your Representatives – Local Councillors

Your Representatives – Local Councillors

Candidates

• Before becoming a representative, people stand as CANDIDATES.

• Usually people stand for a political party, e.g. SNP or Labour.

• The candidate who gets most votes in election becomes the representative.

Political Parties

• List all the Political Parties you know:

Political Parties

• List all the Political Parties you know:

• SNP• Labour• Conservative• Liberal Democrats• Green Party• SSP• BNP

Representation Questions…

1. How is the government elected in the UK?

2. Who represents us in the UK?3. What “C” is the name for someone

who tries to become a representative?

4. Name three political parties.5. Which party’s main objective is for

Scotland to be independent?

Electing an MP

• The system used for the Westminster Parliament is called FIRST PAST THE POST (FPTP).

• Usually a GENERAL ELECTION every 4-5 years.

• UK is divided into 650 constituencies and each one gets an MP.

650 constituencies = 650 seats = 650 MPs

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Canvassing – going door-to-door, shopping centres etc…

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Canvassing – going door-to-door, shopping centres etc…

Loudspeaker cars and vans

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Canvassing – going door-to-door, shopping centres etc…

Loudspeaker cars and vans

Publishing a manifesto –

details of what party will do if

elected

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Canvassing – going door-to-door, shopping centres etc…

Loudspeaker cars and vans

Publishing a manifesto –

details of what party will do if

elected

Party Political Broadcasts – can

use all 5 TV channels to

appeal to voters

Campaigning…

How do candidates campaign?

Distributing leaflets and posters

Canvassing – going door-to-door, shopping centres etc…

Loudspeaker cars and vans

Publishing a manifesto –

details of what party will do if

elected

Party Political Broadcasts – can

use all 5 TV channels to

appeal to voters

Media coverage – TV which has to be

neutral, Newspapers which sometimes support one party

Election Results: “And the winner is…”

• Under the First Past the Post system, the candidate with the most votes wins in a constituency and the party with the most seats (MPs) in the House of Commons forms the government.

Most votes in Glasgow East constituency 2010: Margaret Curran of the Labour Party

Party with most seats (MPs) UK 2010: Conservative Party

Exam Question…

“I would like to thank all our supporters for their help during the election campaign.”

Apart from voting, describe two ways in which supporters could help a political party during an election campaign.

4 marksUse Point Explain

Example

Give a way a supporter can help, explain what it involves then give an example.

Apart from voting, describe two ways in which supporters could help a political party during an election campaign.

4 marks

First Past the Post

• Under this system, the person with the most votes in an area wins a seat in Parliament.

• The Party with the most seats gets to form a government in the House of Commons.

First Past the Post

First Past the PostWinner =

person with most votes

First Past the PostWinner =

person with most votes

Majority = difference

between first and second

First Past the PostWinner =

person with most votes

Majority = difference

between first and second

Turnout = number of people who

voted

Put the heading “Glasgow East Constituency General Election Results 2010”. Identify: 1. the winner 2. the majority and 3. the turnout.

National Election Results

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_2010