Election Schmelection

We read the manifestos so you don’t have to. But when it comes to making promises, which parties are crossing their fingers behind their back? First up: The Brexit Party. Mentions: fullfact.org

Labour, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, the SNP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, UUP — in über-brief terms.

A wee intro to the parties, in alphabetical order. How many members do they have? Are their politics left, centre, or right? What snappy slogan are they dishing up?

Hint: it’s not a bird, it’s not a plane, it’s that old cookie, monarchy struggles, again.

We borrow the way back machine from those boys over at Stuff You Should Know and find out how the first political parties formed.

“It’s as if First Past the Post is a sports car that just won’t start for the Conservatives...” Hear about other voting systems that might turn the engine over and get the UK moving again.

It sounds a rule from a primary school sports day race, but it’s actually the UK’s voting system. Find out why the Greens don’t have more MPs, why Conservatives struggle to get a majority, and how the government that founded the NHS met its end.

Fill in boxes along with me as I register to vote (spoiler: it’s pretty easy!) at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Democracy means the people have the power. Or do they? Find out who can vote in a general election in the U.K. in 2019. Websites mentioned: www.byg.org.uk | www.votesat16.org

Covers all the basics, including: Why “general”? What do voters do on Election Day? Who is this person on my ballot? And, what does a General Election DO? || UPDATE: students can register to vote at home AND at uni — and then decide which to vote at!