Electoral systems compared
Not every vote works the same way — the system used can change who ends up winning, even with identical votes.
Part of your national curriculum
- Democracy and government: Understand the different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom, and actions citizens can take to influence decisions
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom, and actions citizens can take to influence decisions
Key learning points
- • First past the post
- • Proportional systems
- • Systems beyond the UK
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 14 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 14
Watch first
Electoral systems compared
An English teaching video on this topic from TEDx Talks. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
In a nutshell
Understand the different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom, and actions citizens can take to influence decisions
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 14
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 14
Learn
First past the post
UK general elections use first past the post: the country is divided into constituencies, and the candidate with the most votes in each wins that seat. It usually produces clear winners but can mean a party's seats do not match its national vote share.
Explore the idea
Part 4 of 14
Learn
Proportional systems
Some UK elections, such as those for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd, use additional member systems that combine constituency seats with proportional top-up seats, giving smaller parties a fairer chance of representation.
Quick check
Part 5 of 14
Quick check
What does 'first past the post' mean?
Reset break
Part 6 of 14
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 2 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.
Quick check
Part 7 of 14
Quick check
Which UK election uses an additional member system?
Learning cycle
Part 8 of 14
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Systems beyond the UK
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 9 of 14
Learn
Systems beyond the UK
Many countries, including much of Europe, use proportional representation, where seats closely match vote share. Comparing systems helps citizens understand debates about reforming how the UK elects its representatives.
Quick check
Part 10 of 14
Quick check
What is a common feature of proportional representation systems?
Challenge round
Part 11 of 14
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 12 of 14
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Comparing ____ helps citizens understand debates about reforming how the UK elects its representatives.
Mastery quiz
Part 13 of 14
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Electoral systems compared
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What does 'first past the post' mean?
2. Which UK election uses an additional member system?
3. What is a common feature of proportional representation systems?
Lesson round-up
Part 14 of 14
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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0
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaDo the work
Your written work for this lesson
This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.
Should the town centre have a curfew for under-16s?
After a rise in reported vandalism, Harbrook council proposed that under-16s should not be in the town centre after 9 pm without an adult. Police recorded 62 incidents last year, most between 9 pm and midnight. Shopkeepers signed a petition supporting the plan.
A youth council objected. They pointed out that most young people in town at night were going home from sports clubs or work, that the plan punishes a whole group for the acts of a few, and that the library and the bus interchange are in the town centre. They asked instead for a late bus and a youth space.
The council voted to trial the curfew for six months and to publish the crime figures at the end.
Written for Good Learning Co.
Reading questions
- Give the strongest point on each side of the argument, using a fact from the case.
- Whose rights and whose responsibilities are involved here? Explain both.
- Write your own view on the curfew with reasons and one example.
Reading and response
ReadingRead the case in the lesson again and write what you think should happen, and why it is fair. Use one fact from the case as evidence.
2 paragraphs (PEE)
Extended writing
WritingWrite your answer to the lesson's big question in full: the strongest point on each side, then your own view with reasons and an example.
250–350 words
Reading log
ReadingFind one news story this week that links to this lesson. Note the headline, where you read it, and how it connects.
1 story, 4–5 sentences
Two sides of the argument
WritingWrite the strongest point for, the strongest point against, and then your own view with a reason.
3 paragraphs
Poster or leaflet plan
DiagramPlan a leaflet that explains this right or responsibility to someone your age, then photograph it.
1 planned page
Saved as you type.
Part 1 of 14 · Watch & discover
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Understand the different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom, and actions citizens can take to influence decisions