CitizenshipDemocratic participation25 min★★ difficulty

Taking action in democracy

Voting is only one democratic tool among many — petitions, protests and letters to MPs can all shift decisions too.

Part of your national curriculum

Democracy and government: Understand the actions citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Understand the actions citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond

Key learning points

• Voting and standing for office
• Petitions and lobbying
• Protest and campaigning

This lesson at a glance

25 minutes
17 parts to scroll through
3 quick checks
Marked quiz at the end
Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

actionscitizensdemocraticelectoralprocesses

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Part 1 of 17 · Discover6%

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Part 1 of 17

Visual introduction

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Taking action in democracy

Voting is only one democratic tool among many — petitions, protests and letters to MPs can all shift decisions too.

In a nutshell

Understand the actions citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 17

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · Voting and standing for office

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 17

Learn

Voting and standing for office

Citizens aged 18 and over can vote in UK general elections, and 16 and over in some local and devolved elections. Anyone over 18 can also stand as a candidate for many elected positions, from parish council to Parliament.

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.

Stop here for now

Explore the idea

Part 5 of 17

Learn

Petitions and lobbying

A petition with enough signatures on the UK Parliament website guarantees a government response, and over 100,000 signatures can trigger a parliamentary debate. Citizens also lobby MPs directly through letters, emails or meetings.

Quick check

Part 6 of 17

Quick check

What can happen if a UK Parliament petition reaches 100,000 signatures?

Give me a hint

Quick check

Part 7 of 17

Quick check

At what age can most UK citizens vote in a general election?

Give me a hint

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.

Stop here for now

Learning cycle

Part 9 of 17

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Protest and campaigning

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 10 of 17

Learn

Protest and campaigning

Peaceful protest, joining a campaign group, or writing to the media are all legitimate ways to influence decisions. Beyond national politics, citizens can also engage with international issues through global campaigns and petitions.

Quick check

Part 11 of 17

Quick check

Which is a legitimate way to influence a decision?

Give me a hint

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.

Stop here for now

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.

____ aged 18 and over can vote in UK general elections, and 16 and over in some local and devolved elections.

Challenge round

Part 15 of 17

Game · Recall cards

What can happen if a UK Parliament petition reaches 100,000 signatures?

Card 1 of 3

Mastery quiz

Part 16 of 17

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: Taking action in democracy

3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.

1. What can happen if a UK Parliament petition reaches 100,000 signatures?
2. At what age can most UK citizens vote in a general election?
3. Which is a legitimate way to influence a decision?

Lesson round-up

Part 17 of 17

Lesson round-up

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Part 1 of 17 · Watch & discover

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Understand the actions citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond