an organised group of people who share similar beliefs and goals about how society should be run

courses of action or goals that people plan to carry out, or are in the process of carrying out

a concept that models political beliefs and ideologies as a continuum (from left wing to right wing)

What do political parties do?

Citizenship

In this unit, pupils learn about the roles of government and parliament and how they are organised. They explore how elections work and what the role of political parties and MPs are.

How does the political system work in the UK?

a group who share similar beliefs about how society should be run

a concept that models political beliefs and ideologies as a continuum

Match the following terms to the correct definitions.

to entertain people with debates and speeches about how a country should run

to organise a group of people with shared beliefs about how a country should run

to make laws how a country should run without public input

What is the purpose of a political party?

to ensure that different ideas and perspectives are represented

because people enjoy voting for different things

to make elections more complicated and last longer

Why are there multiple political parties in the UK?

to outline what a political party plans to do if they are elected

to make sure all political parties have the same goals

What is the main purpose of a political party’s policies?

It shows where parties stand on political issues, from left wing to right wing.

It only includes left wing and right wing parties, with no middle ground.

Which of these statements is true about the political spectrum?

A political party’s {{}} outlines its key policies and goals for an election.

when people vote to choose their leaders or representatives.

holds more than half of the total seats in a legislative body

the political parties that challenge the Government 

Match the following terms to their correct definitions.

The new Prime Minister is chosen by the monarch.

The winning party’s leader is invited by the monarch to form a government.

The leader of the opposition automatically becomes Prime Minister.

What happens immediately after a general election?

a government formed by a party that does not have a majority of MPs

a government where the opposition takes turns in leading

a government that does not make any decisions

They campaign, create policies and compete in elections.

They only debate issues, but do not run for elections.

They make laws without input from Parliament.

The party with the most votes automatically forms the government.

Parties may negotiate to form a coalition or try to govern as a minority.

A second election is ordered to be held immediately.

What happens if no party wins a majority in a UK general election?

A government formed by more than one political party is called a {{}} government.

Starter Quiz