The General Election Xplained in brief

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This video, presented by the comedian, Jay Foreman, provides a fun and accessible introduction to general elections in just eight minutes.

It follows the progress of the election campaign in the Reading West constituency, right up to polling day and the formation of the coalition government. 

You can hear the candidates in the constituency, along with school and college students, giving short interviews about why it's important for young people to vote and make their voices heard. Also, find out how students become eligible to vote, and what they need to do on polling day.

To follow comedian Jay Foreman into polling stations, political campaigns, and to the Houses of Parliament itself, watch the video above. It is also available on YouTube for you to embed on your own site or blog.

The alternative vote referendum

What is a referendum and when have they taken place in the past?

How does the alternative vote work and what makes it different from other voting systems used in the UK? Try the 'Compare the vote' activity to find out.

Find links to the best resources on the alternative vote, all in one place.

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020 7219 4496
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Educational games

  • Could you cut it as an MP? Designed for 11-16 year-olds, this game drops you into the shoes of a backbencher.

  • Dangling from the world’s most famous clock you’ll need to clean its face before time expires.