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Year 10

How can we improve democracy in the UK?

I can describe different ways that democracy can be improved in the UK.

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New
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Year 10

How can we improve democracy in the UK?

I can describe different ways that democracy can be improved in the UK.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In the UK the type of democracy used is representative democracy. It involves electing MPs to act upon citizens' behalf.
  2. Democracy can be improved in the UK by improving representation in Parliament and participation from electorates.

Keywords

  • Democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf

  • Representative democracy - a type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them, making important decisions on their behalf

  • Representation - ensuring that different groups of people have a voice in the decision-making process and that their views, interests and needs are reflected in government

  • Participation - refers to the active involvement of citizens in the political process, such as voting in elections, engaging in debates or joining political groups

Common misconception

The Prime Minister is directly elected by the electorates.

The leader of each political party is voted in by members of that party. When the general election takes place, the party with the majority of seats forms the Government and the leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister.

If students are in similar constituencies you might want to give a local context and find out what their constituency is and who the local MP is.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on

Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Censorship is ...
the freedom to express any opinion without restrictions
the process of promoting only positive news in the media
Correct answer: the control of information or ideas within a society
the right to access all information freely, without limits
Q2.
A system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf is called a ...
Correct Answer: democracy, representative democracy
Q3.
What is a general election?
where citizens vote to select the party leaders
Correct answer: where citizens vote to select someone to represent them in Parliament
where citizens vote to select a political party
Q4.
UK Parliament is made up of how many parts?
two
Correct answer: three
four
Q5.
In free and fair elections, citizens get to for candidates they would like to represent them on their behalf.
Correct Answer: vote
Q6.
Order the following from most to least democratic.
1 - full democracies
2 - flawed democracies
3 - hybrid regimes
4 - authoritarian regimes

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following can citizens vote for?
Lord
Correct answer: Member of Parliament
Monarch
Prime Minister
Q2.
The UK is a form of democracy where people choose Members of Parliament to represent them on their behalf.
Correct Answer: representative
Q3.
Arrange the statements in the correct order to show who gained the right to vote first.
1 - adult noblemen
2 - married women over 30
3 - all adults over 21
4 - all adults over 18
Q4.
Match the word to its definition
Correct Answer:representation,ensuring different groups have a voice in the decision-making process
tick

ensuring different groups have a voice in the decision-making process

Correct Answer:participation,active involvement of citizens in the political process, e.g. voting
tick

active involvement of citizens in the political process, e.g. voting

Q5.
What is the age to vote in the UK general election?
16
17
Correct answer: 18
Q6.
Which of the following statements are correct?
The Prime Minister is directly elected by the voters in a general election.
The Prime Minister is chosen by the monarch after a general election.
Correct answer: The Prime Minister is the leader of the party with the most seats in Parliament.
Correct answer: The leader of each political party is voted in by members of that party.
The leader of each political party is voted in by members of the public.