Elections and political parties
General elections decide who governs the country, but the voting system and the role of parties shape the result in ways that are easy to misunderstand.
Part of your national curriculum
- Democracy and government: Understand the operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties
Key learning points
- • First past the post
- • The role of political parties
- • Who can vote
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Elections and political parties
General elections decide who governs the country, but the voting system and the role of parties shape the result in ways that are easy to misunderstand.
In a nutshell
Understand the operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · First past the post
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
First past the post
UK general elections use 'first past the post': the country is divided into 650 constituencies, and in each one the candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even without an overall majority. The party that wins the most seats usually forms the government, and its leader typically becomes Prime Minister.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
The role of political parties
Political parties bring together people with similar ideas about how the country should be run, publish manifestos setting out their policies, and select candidates to stand in each constituency. Voters can join a party, donate, campaign or simply vote for the candidate whose party's ideas they support most.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Who can vote
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Who can vote
To vote in a UK general election you must be 18 or over, registered to vote, and a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. Registering is not automatic — everyone has to add their name to the electoral register themselves.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
UK general ____ use 'first past the post': the country is divided into 650 constituencies, and in each one the candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even without an overall majority.
____ parties bring together people with similar ideas about how the country should be run, publish manifestos setting out their policies, and select candidates to stand in each constituency.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
In a UK general election, how does a candidate win a constituency seat?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Elections and political parties
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. In a UK general election, how does a candidate win a constituency seat?
2. Under first past the post, who wins a constituency seat?
3. What is a manifesto?
4. What is the minimum voting age for a UK general election?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties