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Year 10

Should political problems be solved by a referendum?

I can create a reasoned argument about whether political problems should be solved by a referendum.

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New
New
Year 10

Should political problems be solved by a referendum?

I can create a reasoned argument about whether political problems should be solved by a referendum.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Political problems affect how a country is run and can create conflict or unfairness in society.
  2. Political problems can lead to low voter turnout and unfair representation.
  3. Australia uses referendums to change its constitution through a national vote.
  4. Electoral reform can be used to address political problems.

Keywords

  • Referendum - a general vote by the electorate on a single political issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision; it is a form of direct democracy

  • Proportional Representation - an electoral system where political parties get a number of seats in Parliament that matches the percentage of votes they receive in an election

Common misconception

Proportional Representation is always a better and fairer voting system.

Proportional Representation can make elections fairer by matching seats to votes more closely. It often leads to coalition governments, which can be unstable or slow to make decisions.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Should political problems be solved by a referendum?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to explore both sides of the argument by using real world examples to show the pros and cons of referendums and voting systems.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a referendum?
Correct answer: a general vote by the public on a specific issue
a report by an ethics committee
a law passed by Parliament
a meeting of government ministers
Q2.
What is the difference between a right and an Act?
A right is a law; an Act is something people are entitled to.
A right is a law; an Act is a government policy.
A right is a government policy: an Act is a law.
Correct answer: A right is something people are entitled to by law; an Act is a law.
Q3.
In the UK, the Government often involves the public in moral decisions through and public consultations.
Correct Answer: ethics committees, an ethics committee
Q4.
Which country used a referendum to decide on animal testing laws in 2022?
Australia
Ireland
Malta
Correct answer: Switzerland
Q5.
Referendums can be useful because they reflect changes in over time but can also be expensive and take a long time.
Correct Answer: values
Q6.
Which of the following is not a way the UK public can influence moral decisions?
campaigning and legal challenges
ethics committees
public consultations
Correct answer: voting in referendums regularly

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is this describing: 'A general vote by the electorate on a single political issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision.'?
Correct Answer: referendum, a referendum, referendums
Q2.
In Australia, a can be used to change the constitution.
Correct Answer: referendum
Q3.
Put these events in New Zealand’s electoral reform timeline in the correct order, earliest event first.
1 - The Royal Commission recommend changes to the electoral system.
2 - The first referendum is held with four voting options.
3 - The second binding referendum is held.
4 - The first Mixed Member Proportional election is held.
Q4.
Which of these can be a disadvantage of Proportional Representation?
It always produces stable governments.
Correct answer: It leads to coalition governments that can be unstable.
It gives one party all the power.
It prevents small parties from getting seats.
Q5.
Political problems like unfair voting systems can lead to low and lack of trust.
Correct Answer: voter turnout, number of voters, voter numbers
Q6.
Which of these is the best reason to question whether a referendum should be used to solve a political problem?
Correct answer: complex topics may not be well understood
only young people vote
people do not like voting