Political participation: Elections Aims: To be able to explain key phases in electoral participation in the UK To evaluate and analyse problems associated with elections To appreciate the funniest man in politics

Group challenge! Who came after who? Put the Prime Ministers in chronological order, from Clement Attlee to David Cameron Once you think you have it, call me to check You can only put your hand up twice so check your answers carefully!

Clement Attlee Winston Churchill Antony Eden Harold Macmillan Alec Douglas- Home Harold Wilson Edward Heath Harold Wilson James Callaghan Margret Thatcher John Major Tony BlairGordon Brown David Cameron

History of electoral participation The timeline is incomplete. Without writing anything, can you guess with your partner what might go where?

Representation of the People Act 1918 – Due to WW1, all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30 (property restrictions) could now vote. This increased the electorate from 7.7 million to 21.4 million with women making up 8.5 million of the electorate. Seven percent of the electorate had more than one vote. Representation of the People Act- this made women's voting rights equal with men, with voting possible at 21 with no property restrictions Representation of the People Act the act was passed to prevent plural voting Representation of the People Act- extension of suffrage to those 18 and older Electoral Administration Act- Reduced the age to stand as candidate from 21 to 18 and further modified voting

Are the public ever happy with election results?

How do we solve this problem? We need to turnout to elections Turnout is our next key term. With your partner, discuss what you already know about turnout Analyse the turnout grid, annotate: -Trends? -Similarities? -Differences? -Anomilies?

Why is turnout so low?

Does politics need an injection of the X Factor? 15,488,019 votes were cast during the 2010 edition of The X Factor, equivalent to 23.18% of the electorate. In the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2012, the average turnout was 15% Discuss this absurd fact… Why?

Turnout 5 mark question Provide a secure definition with evidence and examples Be concise and do not waffle For higher marks, try to place the term in a current context All 5 marks are for A01 (knowledge) so make good use of political terminology and concepts. Where appropriate try to use political data

How do we improve turnout? Making voting compulsory is what the critics cry after every general election Should Britain follow suit of other countries and make voting compulsory? Read through the information sheet, make notes and decide which argument you agree with

Compulsory voting would increase turnout Sit on the left hand side if you AGREE Sit on the right hand side if you DISAGREE With the new people on your table, prepare you best points. Let the best side win!

Homework a)Research three new key terms (10 mins) b)Read the turnout section of the revision booklet (10 mins) c)Read the article on dynamic learning about turnout and participation- make notes on whether decrease in turnout means a decrease in participation d)Answer a 5 mark question on participation (10 mins)

How to answer a 5 mark question Provide a secure definition with evidence and examples Be concise and do not waffle For higher marks, try to place the term in a current context All 5 marks are for A01 (knowledge) so make good use of political terminology and concepts. Where appropriate try to use political data