Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Hastings.

Welcome to today's lesson.

It comes from the unit, What are the different ways we can become involved in politics? And in today's lesson, the title is How can we become involved in politics? So this is a really interesting question to ask.

What are the different ways that we can become involved in politics? And hopefully by the end of today's lesson, you'll have a really good understanding and know how to answer that question as we go through some really important information and engage and think hard.

I hope you enjoy today's lesson as we go through the different parts of the learning cycle.

So by the end of today's lesson, you will be able to describe the different ways we can become involved in politics in the UK.

So here are our keywords for today's lesson.

So voting.

This is the activity of choosing someone or something in an election.

And active citizen, a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern, and tries to make a positive difference in their community.

So there are three parts to our learning journey today.

The first learning cycle is why does voting matter? Secondly, how else can we become involved in politics? And the last learning cycle is how can I be an active citizen? So let's crack on with the first learning cycle, why does voting matter? So why does politics matter? Aisha says, "Why should I care about politics? It's irrelevant to me.

I can't vote, so what is the point in wasting my time thinking about it?" So as a young person, she can't vote, so she thinks that politics is irrelevant and she shouldn't spend her time thinking about it.

Can you think of a response to Aisha that includes reasons why politics should matter to a 16-year-old? So let's have a look at something that happens to Aisha during her day, and then we can really think about why politics does matter.

So, "This morning I got up at 6:00 AM to catch the bus to school.

My friends and I are preparing for our upcoming GCSEs.

At lunch, we discussed our future plans.

I'm aiming to study A-levels and then go to university, but worry about the cost.

After school, I bought a chocolate bar and was shocked by the price.

At home, I knew my mom was there because the electric car was charging in the driveway." So read that information about Aisha, and how many of her activities are affected by politics and therefore, why does politics matter? So lots of Aisha's activities are affected by politics.

For example, education.

The national curriculum, required exams, local school and college options, and university costs.

That's one thing she was worried about, was the cost of university.

She's having to take her GSEs.

These are all impacted by politics and policy-making.

Policy changes influence the qualifications and skills that employers seek.

Politics also affects future careers, job availability, wages, and working conditions.

Transport, so she had to catch the bus.

She would've been affected by ticket prices, the route the bus takes, road congestion, and vehicle choice, especially with the UK's push for net-zero.

Her mum's electric car was parked on the driveway, charging.

Perhaps they have made the decision to switch to electric vehicle because of that push for net-zero.

The cost of products.

So she went to buy a chocolate bar and was shocked at the price.

This is because inflation raises ingredient and production costs.

The sugar tax has also increased chocolate prices.

So let's check our understanding of what we've learned so far.

Change two words in the following sentence to make it accurate, I shouldn't care about politics because it doesn't affect my life.

Which two words need to be changed to make it more accurate? So you should have changed the words from, I shouldn't care to, I should care about politics because it, and from doesn't to does, affect my life.

That makes that sentence more accurate.

At least every five years, there is a general election in the UK.

Eligible citizens vote for their representative in the House of Commons, which is one part of parliament.

Remember that there is the House of Commons, which is made up of 650 members of Parliament, MPs, who are elected at a general election.

The second part of parliament is the House of Lords, which is made up of around 800 members, mainly selected because of their knowledge and experience.

And lastly, the monarchy.

That's the head of state, the king or queen.

So citizens vote in a general election to decide which candidate they want to represent their constituency in the House of Commons.

So constituency is a geographical area in which you live and are eligible to vote within.

The candidates might belong to a political party or they could be independent.

The candidate with the most votes wins a seat in the House of Commons and becomes an MP.

So this is simple plurality, first-past-the-post system.

So the candidate with the most votes wins that seat.

There are 650 seats available.

Why is voting an important part of the political process? So just have a think about that question.

Why is voting an important part of the political process? Have a think about that question.

Discuss it with your learning partner.

So you might have discussed the following, it's an MP's job to represent the views of their constituents in parliament, and that is why voting matters.

They do this by voting on new laws and policies, debating issues and questions, raising constituents' concerns.

And your vote is therefore your political voice.

You can vote in local elections and other important elections once eligible, in addition to general elections.

In the UK 2024 General Election, voter turnout was 59.

7%.

This was the lowest turnout in a general election since 2001.

What impact might a low voter turnout have? Why is that important? Discuss with your learning partner briefly.

So it's important and impactful because a low voter turnout might mean that there are underrepresented groups.

The results may not represent the entire population, as some groups, like younger people or lower-income individuals, may be less likely to vote, and therefore they're not having their voices heard.

It demonstrates voter apathy.

A low turnout may indicate political disengagement, possibly due to feelings of powerlessness or distrust in the system.

So voting is important because it gives individuals a voice in shaping the policies, laws, and leadership that affects their lives.

It ensures that the government and other elected bodies represent the people's interests, promotes democratic values, and are held to account.

We can vote them in, but we can equally vote them out.

By voting, citizens contribute to the way that the country is run and help protect rights and freedoms for future generations.

If turnout becomes too low, it can weaken democracy as fewer people are having a say in decisions.

It makes the government less legitimate because not as many people have voted for it.

So let's check our understanding.

I'd like you to match the correct parts of parliament to its definition.

So parts of parliament are the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and monarchy.

And the definitions are, made up of around 800 members, mainly selected because of their knowledge and experience, the head of state, the king or queen, and made up a 650 Members of Parliament, MPs, elected at a general election.

So match the part to its definition.

Okay, well done for completing that.

So the House of Commons is made up of 650 Members of Parliament, MPs, elected at a general election.

The House of Lords is made up of around 800 members, mainly selected because of their knowledge and experience.

And the monarchy is the head of state, the king or queen.

Now onto our practise task.

So why does voting matter? I want you to write a response to Alex that challenges his ideas and explain why voting matters.

So Alex says, "I honestly don't think voting really matters.

It's not like my vote's going to change anything, and all the politicians are the same, so it just doesn't seem like there's much choice.

One vote just seems like a tiny drop in an ocean.

People say it's important, but I just don't see the impact.

Maybe when I'm older, I'll care more, but right now, it doesn't feel worth it." So how would you respond to Alex on why voting matters? Pause the video while you complete that task.

So well done for completing that task.

So a response to Alex that challenges his ideas and explains why voting matters.

You might have said, "Whilst I can understand your point of view, voting in UK elections really matters.

It's not just about the big national elections, local elections where decisions affect schools, healthcare, and the community are just as important.

Even if it feels like one vote won't make a difference, in close races, it can be the deciding factor.

If we don't vote, we let others make decisions for us.

We lose our voice.

Voting is our way to hold politicians accountable and push for the changes we want to see in our country.

So well done for completing that task.

Onto our second learning cycle in today's lesson, how else can we become involved in politics? So voting is just one way that we can become involved in politics.

But obviously, if you are under the age of 18 and don't match the voting criteria, then you don't and can't vote in elections.

So that might feel like we don't really have a say in politics, but actually there are some important ways that we can still become involved in politics, whether we're able to vote or not, and that can make an important difference in your local communities or even nationally.

So how could you become involved in politics? You could join a youth political group.

Many political parties have youth wings where you can get involved and learn about politics.

You could attend local political meetings.

Local councils often have public meetings where you can hear from politicians and ask questions.

You could volunteer for political campaigns.

Make sure you check with a supportive adult before you do so, but you could help with campaigning, whether it's handing out flyers, making phone calls, or spreading awareness.

Join a youth council or advisory board.

Many areas have councils where young people can discuss local issues and advise politicians.

That's one really good way to get a young voice heard.

And participate in protests or demonstrations.

Again, making sure you're checking with a responsible adult, but you could participate in that and stand up for issues that matter to you.

You could start a petition.

Use petitions to rally support for causes you care about and bring attention to important issues.

Engage on social media carefully.

Share your views, follow political leaders, and participate in discussions to raise awareness of issues.

But do be very careful and wary of misinformation and disinformation when it comes to social media.

Speak to your MP.

Even if you can't vote, you can still contact your local Member of Parliament to voice your concerns.

Stay informed.

Keep up with the news and learn about political issues to better understand the world around you.

Use reliable news sources to find that information out.

So let's check our understanding.

I'd like you to fill in the missing words in the following list of ways young people can become involved in politics.

So join a youth, what, of a political group? What, for political campaigns? Participate in, what, or demonstrations? And start or sign, what? So which are the missing words? So the missing words are, join a youth wing of a political group, volunteer for political campaigns, participate in protests or demonstrations, and start or sign petitions.

So well done if you got those correct.

So young people engaging in politics can have a big impact.

For example, young people can influence change.

They can shape policies that impact your future, like education, healthcare, and the environment.

It means that you can learn about politics and gain a deeper understanding of the how politics and the entire political system works.

You can really make a difference.

You can help support causes and candidates that align with your values and contribute to positive change.

You can develop your skills, you can build leadership, public speaking, and organisational skills that are valuable in politics and beyond.

And you can network, you can connect to political professionals, activists, and like-minded individuals, expanding your network and your opportunities.

And this could be really valuable for the future.

So I'd like you to match each way you can become involved in politics to its impact to check your understanding.

So A, join a political party, B, volunteer for political campaigns, and C, join a youth council.

So they're the ways that you can become involved in politics.

And what impact do you think this has? One, spread awareness about a political party, two, discuss local issues and advise politicians, or three, get involved and learn about politics? So match A, B, or C to one of one, two, or three.

So A, join a political party, the impact is that you get involved and learn about politics.

B, volunteer for political campaigns, you are spreading awareness about a political party.

And C, join a youth council, you are discussing local issues and advising politicians.

So well done if you matched those correctly.

So let's practise what we have learnt.

I would like you to discuss with your partner the ways you can become involved in politics and why you think this would be beneficial.

So pause the video whilst you have those discussions.

So well done for having those discussions.

So with your partner, you may have discussed the ways that you can become involved in politics and why you think this would be beneficial and have included the following in those discussions.

So joining political campaigns, youth wings of political parties or youth councils, staying informed about political issues, starting or signing petitions and campaigning on political issues, building skills in communication, teamwork, leadership, and organisation, those are really useful in any career.

Networking with local leaders, professionals, and other youth, opening doors for future opportunities, and playing a direct role in advocating for policies that affect your generation and the future.

So well done for having those discussions and completing that task.

So onto the last learning cycle in today's lesson, how can I become an active citizen? And this is a really important way that you can become involved in politics.

So politics, as we have seen, isn't just about voting.

Another way you can be involved in politics is through being an active citizen.

And those ways that we've looked at already really would help you to be an active citizen.

So what's it really mean to be an active citizen? Active citizenship is the process of learning how to take part in a democracy, using your citizenship knowledge, your skills, and understanding to work together for positive change.

An active citizen is a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern, and tries to make a difference.

Responsible action is doing something to bring about change that does not harm others or cause damage.

So how could you be an active citizen and become involved in politics? It might feel really overwhelming.

There's so much out there at the moment, so much on social media, so many issues, both locally, nationally, and even globally, that it can feel really overwhelming, that what you do doesn't really matter.

And that's understandable.

But there are small actions that you can take that can make a big difference.

Firstly, you can learn and share.

Educate yourself about political issues that you feel passionately about.

It could be anything, for example, sustainability, rights, or poverty.

And share what you learn with others.

Advocating for change.

Write to local leaders, sign petitions, or attend events to speak up about political issues.

Raise awareness.

Inform others about those important issues that you've learned about.

Share your accurate information and resources to encourage others to take action.

Make responsible choices.

Think about how your actions impact the political issues that you're interested in.

For example, if you're thinking about the environment and sustainability, think about where you shop and which companies you support.

Are they sustainable, ethical companies who provide fair wages and rights for their employees? And volunteering.

Offer your time to local or global causes, whether it's helping a food bank, participating in environmental cleanups, that could be a litter pick or scrubbing off graffiti off of walls, or supporting community events.

All these are really good ways of being an active citizen.

So I'd like you to check your understanding by changing two words to make the statement correct.

Active citizenship is the process of learning how to take part in government using citizenship knowledge, skills, and understanding to work together to try and make a negative difference in the world.

So which words, which two words, are incorrect and need changing? Okay, so active citizenship is the process of learning how to take part in democracy, not government, using citizenship knowledge, skills, and understanding to work together to try and make a positive, not a negative, difference in the world.

So well done if you got that correct.

So this is the active citizenship wheel.

And the act citizenship wheel can help us to become involved in politics as active citizens.

It breaks down the process that would help you to become a more active citizen.

So the first step, step one, choose your issue.

Step two, research possible actions.

So undertake that knowledge, do that research.

Step three, decide on your actions.

Step four, decide how to measure success.

How are you gonna know whether it's had an impact? Step five, plan and get ready.

And step six, put that plan into action.

And then finally, step seven, reflect.

Has it had an impact? Evaluate that impact and report it.

So to check your understanding of the active citizenship wheel, fill in the missing words.

So the, what, process? Step one, choose your, what? Step two, research possible actions.

Step three, decide on your, what? Step four, decide how to measure success.

Step five, plan and get ready.

Step six, put your, what, into action? Step seven, time to reflect, what, and report? So the active citizen process.

Step one, choose your issue.

Step two, research possible actions.

Step three, decide on your actions.

Step four, decide how to measure success.

Step five, plan and get ready.

Step six, put your plan into action.

Step seven, time to reflect, evaluate, and report.

So well done if you got those words right.

So, final task for today's lesson.

I would like you to choose a political issue that you want to take action on at a local level, so that means at school, at home, or in your local community, to demonstrate how you could be an active citizen, I want you to use steps one to four on the active citizenship wheel to plan your responsible action.

You can use the following sentence starters to help.

Step one, the political issue I've chosen to take responsible action on is, because.

Step two, I'm going to research the actions I could take by, so how are you going to research? Step three, following my research, the actions I am going to take, so what action might you then take? And step four, I will know that these actions have been successful by, what you are looking for in terms of the impact? So pause the video whilst you complete that task.

So well done for completing that task.

So I asked you to choose a political issue that you want to take action on at a local level.

So your answer may have included, step one, the political issue I've chosen to take action on is, and the one I've chosen in my example feedback is youth leisure services, because I believe there are a lack of activities for young people in their leisure time.

Step two, I'm going to research the actions I could take by looking at what is currently on offer for young people in the local community and what other communities provide for young people.

I'll also spend time researching what services young people would like to have in their local community and how much they might cost to provide.

Step three, following my research, the actions I'm going to take are, raise awareness of the issue.

I will talk to my peers and use social media to raise awareness of the lack of youth services and the need for more choice.

Campaign, I would join a local youth council or advisory board, speak with local youth workers, my local counsellor and MP to discuss the lack of youth services and how they could be improved.

We would choose one service to focus on.

And then fundraising events, I'll organise a fundraising event in order to raise money to develop that youth service.

And finally, step four, I will know these actions have been successful as youth service would be put in place and I would measure how much it is used by young people in the local community.

So well done for completing that task.

I hope you enjoyed that.

That really had to get you thinking and think about which of the topics you would choose as an active citizen to develop in your local community.

So in summary, how can I get involved in politics in the UK? So voting is important because it allows people to choose their leaders and influence decisions on key issues.

Voting ensures your voice is heard and helps shape the future.

You can also get involved in politics by joining a political party, attending protests, contacting your local MP to show your concerns, signing petitions, or volunteering.

Young people can make a difference by speaking out on social media, joining youth councils, participating in youth campaigns, and encouraging others to get involved.

Being an active citizen means being aware of issues, engaging with your community, and taking action to make a positive impact.

Well done for today's lesson.

It's been really challenging and made you think lots, I hope, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.