国家概况和文化复习Unit-4-Politics.docVIP

Unit 4 Politics, Class and Race of Britain Importance of general elections Periodic national elections are very important in the western model democracy. 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 lease the election provides the opportunity to “kick the rascals out”! 651 seats in the House of Commons The party that wins the majority seats can form a cabinet (government). The majority of the members of the Parliament can vote out a government. The election is seen as an opportunity to influence future government policy. Formation of government Now about 99% of population can vote Every 5 years 651 members of House of Commons from 651 districts Who can be a candidate? Any voter 500 pounds in deposit Money back if over 5% of votes Monster Raving Party The Conservative party Procedure of general election Once the date has been set, everyone on the “electoral register”(the list of citizens eligible to vote) receives a voting card in the small details of when and where to vote. Meanwhile the political parties get their electoral campaigns under way. This involves advertisements in newspaper, door-to-door campaigning. On the election day people go to their local voting station. They give their card to the official. When the voting closes at the end of the day, the counting begins. The Conservative（保守） party The Conservative party is the party that spent most time in power. protecting individual’s rights low taxes big companies rich should also help poor “fatherly” sense of obligation to the poor The Labor party（工党） Labor Party: socialist union movement redistribute wealth 再分配 services: health care, education, housing nationalization of enterprises big government, more taxes Liberal Democrats 民主党 The Liberal Democrats are the third biggest party, and to some extent