英美概况-- politics of UK.pptVIP

Contents General Elections Why are they important? Periodic national elections are very important in the western model of democracy. In the UK the citizens right to vote for the candidate of their choice to represent them in parliament is a right that has been struggled for over the past two hundred years.  The election is seen as an opportunity to influence future government policy—or, less positively, that whatever else the failings of the political system, at least the election provides the opportunity to kick the rascals out When do Elections Occur? When Parliament is dissolved every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant and a general election is held. Each constituency in the UK elects one MP (Member of Parliament) to a seat in the House of Commons. The party which holds a majority of those seats in parliament forms the government, with its party leader as the Prime Minister. After a government has been in power for five years it has to resign and hold a general election, in which all British adults are given the chance to vote again for their constituencys MP. How often are general elections held? General elections are held at least every five years although not all Parliaments run for the whole five year period. Who can stand for election as an MP? Anyone who is eligible vote to can stand as an MP. It is necessary only to make a deposit of 500 pounds (a quite easily obtainable amount in the UK) which is lost if the candidate does not receive at least 5% of the vote. What happens in an election? 1.Once the date has been set, everyone on the electoral register receives a voting card in the mail with details of when and where to vote. Meanwhile the political parties get their electoral campaigns under way. advertisements in newspapers door-to-door campaigning (candidates or their local supporters come and knock at peoples doors trying to persuade voters to vote for them) postal deliveries of leaflets for the main parties, strictly