Understanding Political Parties
What Are Political Parties?
Political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be run. They work together to promote their beliefs and try to gain support from other people.
Why Join a Political Party?
- Support Views: Joining a party shows that you support their ideas and values.
- Get Involved: It’s a way to participate in the democratic process of the UK.
What Happens During Elections?
Political parties are very active when elections are happening. Members of political parties work hard to encourage others to vote for their candidates. Here’s how they do it:
- Canvassing: This means going door-to-door to ask people for their support. They might hand out leaflets or talk to people about why they should vote for their party.
- Privacy: If someone asks you how you plan to vote, you don’t have to tell them if you don’t want to.
Standing for Office
British citizens have the chance to run for different political positions, such as:
- Local Councillor: Helps make decisions in your local area.
- Member of Parliament (MP): Represents people in the House of Commons.
- Member of the European Parliament (MEP): Represents the UK in the European Parliament (though this may change post-Brexit).
Other people who may stand for office include:
- Irish Citizens
- Eligible Commonwealth Citizens
- EU Citizens (but not for MP positions)
How to Join a Political Party
If you want to join a political party, you can visit their individual websites to find out more about the joining process.
Questions to Test Your Knowledge
Easy Level Questions
- What do political parties try to do?
- A) Play games
- B) Share similar ideas about running the country
- C) Cook food
- D) Create art
- What does it mean to canvass?
- A) To paint a picture
- B) To go door-to-door asking for support
- C) To sing songs
- D) To write stories
- Can you keep your vote private when asked by a canvasser?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only if you want to
- D) Only if they ask nicely
- Who can join a political party?
- A) Only students
- B) Anyone
- C) Only rich people
- D) Only teachers
- What do members of political parties do during elections?
- A) Sleep
- B) Work hard to persuade people to vote
- C) Eat snacks
- D) Watch TV
- What is the role of a local councillor?
- A) To represent people in the House of Commons
- B) To make decisions in the local area
- C) To play football
- D) To travel the world
- Can British citizens stand for Parliament?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only if they are over 30
- D) Only if they have a degree
- What is one way to support a political party?
- A) Join a sports team
- B) Join the party
- C) Stay at home
- D) Ignore everyone
- What is a Member of Parliament (MP)?
- A) A person who makes laws
- B) A person who sells food
- C) A person who paints
- D) A person who plays music
- What can you find on political party websites?
- A) How to join the party
- B) How to cook
- C) How to travel
- D) How to dance
Medium Level Questions
- What is one reason political parties are busy during election time?
- A) They want to take vacations
- B) They want to persuade people to vote for their candidates
- C) They want to play sports
- D) They want to watch movies
- Who can stand for office in the UK?
- A) Only British citizens
- B) British citizens, Irish citizens, and eligible Commonwealth citizens
- C) Only people over 50
- D) Anyone who wants to
- What is a key activity for party members during elections?
- A) Canvassing
- B) Sleeping
- C) Watching TV
- D) Playing games
- What is a political party’s goal?
- A) To make money
- B) To gain power and influence
- C) To entertain people
- D) To run a restaurant
- What do party members hand out during canvassing?
- A) Food
- B) Leaflets
- C) Games
- D) Toys
- Can you run for office if you are an Irish citizen?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only if you are a British citizen
- D) Only if you are a Commonwealth citizen
- What does it mean to demonstrate support for a political party?
- A) To ignore it
- B) To join and participate
- C) To argue against it
- D) To leave the country
- What is the role of a Member of the European Parliament (MEP)?
- A) To represent people in local councils
- B) To represent the UK in the European Parliament
- C) To work in schools
- D) To run businesses
- Why might someone choose to join a political party?
- A) To get free food
- B) To support certain views and get involved in politics
- C) To make friends
- D) To rest at home
- How can you find out more about political parties?
- A) By visiting their websites
- B) By watching TV
- C) By reading novels
- D) By playing video games
Hard Level Questions
- What is the significance of canvassing during elections?
- A) It helps to entertain the public
- B) It is a way to directly communicate with voters
- C) It allows candidates to take a break
- D) It is a form of celebration
- Which of the following is NOT a political position you can stand for in the UK?
- A) Local councillor
- B) Member of Parliament
- C) President of the UK
- D) Member of the European Parliament
- What does it mean to ‘stand for office’?
- A) To sit down and relax
- B) To run for a political position
- C) To play a sport
- D) To travel abroad
- Who can become a member of the European Parliament (MEP)?
- A) Only British citizens
- B) Only Irish citizens
- C) British citizens and eligible Commonwealth citizens
- D) Citizens of EU countries
- What is a key responsibility of a local councillor?
- A) To entertain children
- B) To manage local council affairs
- C) To cook meals for the public
- D) To lead sports teams
- What is a common activity that party members participate in before an election?
- A) Organising concerts
- B) Canvassing and campaigning
- C) Taking vacations
- D) Playing video games
- How do political parties influence the democratic process?
- A) By organizing fun fairs
- B) By promoting their candidates and policies
- C) By telling people to stay home
- D) By acting in movies
- What does it mean to express support for a political party?
- A) To join and participate in its activities
- B) To ignore their messages
- C) To argue against their views
- D) To watch their meetings
- What resource can help you learn about the joining process for a political party?
- A) Social media posts
- B) Individual party websites
- C) Television shows
- D) Newspapers
- Who does NOT have the right to stand for office in the UK?
- A) British citizen
- B) Irish citizen
- C) Eligible Commonwealth citizen
- D) Tourist visiting the UK
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) Share similar ideas about running the country
- B) To go door-to-door asking for support
- A) Yes
- B) Anyone
- B) Work hard to persuade people to vote
- B) To make decisions in the local area
- A) Yes
- B) Join the party
- A) A person who makes laws
- A) How to join the party
Medium Level Answers
- B) They want to persuade people to vote for their candidates
- B) British citizens, Irish citizens, and eligible Commonwealth citizens
- A) Canvassing
- B) To gain power and influence
- B) Leaflets
- A) Yes
- B) To join and participate
- B) To represent the UK in the European Parliament
- B) To support certain views and get involved in politics
- A) By visiting their websites
Hard Level Answers
- B) It is a way to directly communicate with voters
- C) President of the UK
- B) To run for a political position
- D) Citizens of EU countries
- B) To manage local council affairs
- B) Canvassing and campaigning
- B) By promoting their candidates and policies
- A) To join and participate in its activities
- B) Individual party websites
- D) Tourist visiting the UK
