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How have our political rights changed over time?
I can describe what political rights are and how they have changed over time.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 8
How have our political rights changed over time?
I can describe what political rights are and how they have changed over time.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Political rights are the rights people have and may use in a democracy.
- The fight for political rights in the UK has been a long one.
- One of the biggest changes has been in relation to suffrage.
Keywords
Right - something we are entitled to by law
Democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
Suffrage - the right to vote
Common misconception
All men had the right to vote before 1918.
Approximately 40% of men could not vote before 1918.
Highlight key historical moments, like the fight for women's suffrage and the expansion of voting rights, and ask students to imagine a world where they couldn’t ever vote. This helps them grasp the significance of these changes.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is the UK a democracy? Yes or no?
Is the UK a democracy? Yes or no?
Q2.Which of the following are features of a democracy?
Which of the following are features of a democracy?
press controlled by the government
only one party standing for election
Q3.Who decides who becomes a Member of Parliament?
Who decides who becomes a Member of Parliament?
the monarch
the Prime Minister
Q4.Complete the quote about voting in a democracy: "One person, __________ ."
Complete the quote about voting in a democracy: "One person, __________ ."
two votes
three votes
Q5.Who makes laws in the UK?
Who makes laws in the UK?
Q6.Which of the following do you associate with the term 'Human Rights'?
Which of the following do you associate with the term 'Human Rights'?
only for certain groups
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Political rights are:
Political rights are:
rights only women have in a democracy
rights only men have in a democracy
Q2.Suffrage means:
Suffrage means:
the right to become an MP
the right to join a political party
Q3.At what age can you vote in the UK?
At what age can you vote in the UK?
Q4.In 1900, which of the following were issues with the voting system?
In 1900, which of the following were issues with the voting system?
Approximately 40% of women could not vote.
No men were able to vote.
Q5.What did the 1918 Representation of the People Act do?
What did the 1918 Representation of the People Act do?
Gave women over the age of 21 the vote.
Q6.Which king signed Magna Carta in 1215?
Which king signed Magna Carta in 1215?
