A kid's guide to the general election

POLITICS A-PLENTY!

Dunno if you’ve heard, but the UK will be having a General Election on 4 July 2024. (Heard? Between that and the Euros you’d think that was ALL that was going on! Ed) Politics can seem overwhelming and probably even a bit boring at times (isn’t it just a load of people in suits arguing in an old building?). But although there is a lot of that, by getting to grips with the terms and learning some facts about the system, it may make it a little more interesting! So without further ado, here is AQUILA’s guide to the UK’s political system for kids!

The green room

Inside the House of Commons chamber, the Government and the Opposition sit on rows of green leather-covered benches facing each other. The Prime Minister and his top advisors sit closer to the aisle down the middle and are known as frontbenchers. Other MPs of the same party sit behind them. It is the same set-up on the other side where the Opposition MPs sit.

There are also places for MPs who belong to other parties or are independent.

When a vote on a new law is taken, MPs who vote in favour are known as ‘ayes’ while those who vote against are ‘noes’. The result of the vote is then declared. Not all MPs are present through all debates, but they can be brought in if the vote is important.

Order, order!

The Speaker of the House of Commons organises what happens in the chamber and chooses when MPs can speak. They are also responsible for keeping order, as debates can be quite noisy (also just like primary school, ed!). The Speaker may punish MPs who break the rules.

Black Rod is a person responsible for maintaining buildings in the Houses of Parliament and organising ceremonial events.

The Serjeant-at-Arms (yes, that is the correct spelling) is also there to keep order and can remove MPs from the chamber by order of the Speaker.

MPs known as Whips make sure members of their own party are ready to vote at the right time.

Election time

General Elections for most MPs are usually held every five years.

Polling day is usually on a Thursday and the General Election this year will be on 4^th July 2024. Polling stations are usually in public buildings and are open from 7am until 10pm.

In most elections, people, often representing a political party, become candidates. Each party usually has an identifying colour that they use for poster campaigns and advertising. There will be debates on television. Candidates tour the constituency (the area for which they want to be elected) making speeches to convince people to vote for them and talking to as many people as they can.

People who are able to vote have to be on a list called the electoral register. Most adult citizens can vote if they are over the age of 18.

Voting is done in secret. Candidates’ names are listed on a sheet and voters choose who to vote for. They make a cross alongside the name. Voting is done inside an enclosed booth. The paper then goes inside a large sealed box that is not opened until after voting has closed.

All these sealed boxes are taken to a large central hall where they are carefully counted. The candidate who receives the largest number of votes is the winner.

In the UK we have a first past the post system i.e. the party with the most MPs gets to form the Government. If the result is close, they might need the help of another party or parties. This is known as a coalition.

Follow-up activities

Make a colour-coded pie chart to show the main parties of the MPs that are elected in the election. Some rounding off of numbers may be necessary and smaller groups/independents may have to be counted together. Make sure all parts are fully labelled.

Stage a mock election with a group of friends. Candidates should be prepared to speak to the rest of the group about their views and policies. Think up an attractive logo and plenty of catchy slogans (rhyming works well). An allotted time should be given for each speaker before a secret vote is taken.

Find out who is the newly elected Member of Parliament for the constituency in which you live. Perhaps you could invite them to your school/college to talk about their work.

Once the election is over and MPs are back in parliament you can watch televised debates in the chamber live on BBC Parliament.