1. Course Introduction
National
Qualifications

2. Today we will… Outline the National 4/5 Courses.
Explain the structure of the political system in the UK.

3. Success Criteria
I can create a diagram which illustrates the structure of the political system in the UK.

4. Course Structure
There will be two different types of questions at National 4 and 5
Knowledge Questions: this is when you answer questions on the topics you have learned.
Skills Questions: Using sources to answer questions:
Democracy in Scotland
Using sources of information to identify and explain exaggeration and selective use of facts.
Social Issues in the United Kingdom
Using sources of information to make and justify a decision.
USA
Using sources of information to draw and support conclusions.

5. Course Structure Democracy in Scotland
Social Issues in the United Kingdom: Social Inequality
International Issues: The USA
Assessment National 4
National 4 Assignment Internal Assessments for each unit.
Assessment National 5
National 5 Assignment Internal Assessments for each unit.
National 5 exam

6. Democracy in Scotland This will be our first topic.
You will be given two post-it notes.
On one write down what you know already about this topic.
Now write down what you would like to know.

7. Overview of the Political System in the UK
The UK’s political system can be described as a constitutional monarchy. This means that we have a king or queen as Head of State.
The Scottish Parliament and the Westminster make our laws, not the monarch. The Monarch must remain politically neutral. No Monarch has refused the Parliament’s wishes for over 300 years.

8. For a law to be passed it must go through Parliament
For a law to be passed it must go through Parliament. It must be given Royal Assent- this means that the Monarch must approve it.
The Monarch reads the Queen speech which announces what the government plans to do in the coming year.
In the UK, the monarch’s in the governing of the UK is largely a symbolic one. The monarch has no real political power. Instead the monarch symbolises what the country stands for.

9. Democracy in Scotland
The issue of Scotland’s place within the United Kingdom is likely to be the subject of debate for some time.
The re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 led to speculation about Scotland’s constitutional future.
It has raised the issue of more decision-making power to be devolved to Scotland, ultimately Scottish Independence.

10. The Edinburgh Agreement
The Agreement, struck in Edinburgh, paved the way for a vote in autumn 2014, with a single YES/NO question on Scotland leaving the UK.
It will also allow 16 AND year olds to take part in the ballot.

11. The Prime Minister and the First Minister
The main role of the First Minister is to represent Scotland in areas that are reserved to the Scottish Parliament. The First Minister is expected to have a vision for the country and to lead the country in a positive direction.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the head of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.

12. Local Councils
All the nations within the UK have a system of local government.
Councils make and carry out decisions pm local services such as transport, education. Social care and libraries.
Local councillors are elected by the local community to represent views.
Local Councils receive their money from the government.

13. Task
Create a diagram which outlines the political structure of the UK.
You should include:
The Monarchy
The different parliaments in the UK
Who is in charge of each Parliament- briefly describe their role.
Local Councils

14. Was I successful?
I can create a diagram which illustrates the structure of the political system in the UK.