1–7 NOV 2020 ukparliamentweek.org

the girlguiding ulster edition

#UKPW

This year we mark ten years of UK Parliament Week! Each year it has grown and grown. Last year was the biggest yet. 11,800 activities took place, and over 1.2 million people got hands on with democracy. Activities took place in every one of the 650 constituencies across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and in 47 other countries around the world too! This UK Parliament Week we are looking ahead to the next ten years. What issues are important to the groups you work with? What changes do they want to see over the next ten years? How can they work with UK Parliament to make it happen? Your UK Parliament Week kit is full of the tools, ideas and inspiration you’ll need to learn about how the UK Parliament works and how you can make a difference. It’s down to you that UK Parliament Week is such a success and we can’t wait to hear how you get involved this year! Get Social Follow @YourUKParl on Twitter and share your activities using #UKPW. Or visit ukparliamentweek.org for more information.

Contents

It starts with... UK Parliament 02 What is the UK Parliament? 03 Who represents you? 04 Action 06 Get talking 07 Get inspired 10 Get planning 12 You 14 Get creative 15 Voting and elections 16 Influence 18 Engage 20 Fun 24 Quiz 26 Chatterbox 28

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What is the What is the difference between UK Parliament? Parliament and Government? The UK Government is responsible for the day-to-day The UK Parliament makes laws, and checks running of the country, while the UK Parliament’s and challenges the work of the UK Government. role is to shape and scrutinise the law and government policy. It is made up of two Houses, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The UK Parliament includes Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. MPs are elected to the House of Commons by local areas, The UK Government is made up of members called constituencies, and members of the House of from the largest party or parties in Parliament Lords are appointed for their knowledge and experience. after a general election. The UK Parliament makes laws, debates local, national The leader of the winning party becomes the and international issues and questions the Prime Minister Prime Minister. They choose a team of MPs and and other Ministers about the work of the government. members of the House of Lords, called ministers, Some members work together in select committees to form their government. Each minister leads a to look at issues in detail, listening to views from the department with a different responsibility, such public and experts to make recommendations to as the UK’s relationship with other countries, trade the government. or the environment. All this work is broadcast live on television and online Most ideas for new laws and policies come from the so that you can see what the UK Parliament is doing. government. It is the role of Parliament to look at these ideas in detail and vote on any final decision.

The House of Commons The House of Lords

650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by the Around 800 members work in the House of Lords. public to work in the House of Commons. Each one They have a range of different social, political and represents an area of the UK, called a constituency. professional experience. MPs spend some of their time working at the House of Most members are appointed as life peers. They Commons and some time working in their constituency. are chosen for their professional experiences. Many This helps them to represent the views of their members have a political background, and others constituents in Parliament. have worked as doctors, soldiers, scientists, writers, Anyone aged 18 and over can stand in an election to judges, lawyers and police officers. become an MP. Members of the House of Commons Some members of the House of Lords are members bring a wide range of professional and political of political parties, but some are not part of a political experience to their work. party. This group sit in the middle of the Chamber and You can register to vote for your local MP from the age of 16 are known as ‘crossbenchers’. and can take part in a general election from the age of 18. 03 ukparliamentweek.org

Knowing who represents you and who to contact if you have an issue or idea to share is key to getting your views heard.

The UK is a representative democracy which means that citizens choose individuals Devolved Parliaments to make decisions on their behalf. You In 1999, some powers of the UK Parliament were are represented in the UK Parliament by given to parliaments and assemblies based in your MP – but they are not the only people Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a process called devolution. representing your interests. This change put the power to make decisions closer Activity: Who represents me? to the people affected. Three devolved legislatures can make and change This activity is to get your group thinking about what laws on specific issues that affect each UK nation. representation means and who represents them. They are: 1. Discuss with your group what representation means. · The Scottish Parliament Use examples from their experience, such as school · The Welsh Parliament/Senedd Cymru council representatives or group leaders. · The Northern Ireland Assembly 2. Ask your group to suggest people or groups who The UK Parliament continues to make laws represent them. Use the map opposite as a prompt. which impact the whole of the UK and England. Encourage them to think as broadly as possible, considering representatives within schools, faith Other resources about devolution communities or age groups. are available at ukparliamentweek.org 3. Now label the map, adding extra representatives relevant to your group. They may be surprised how many people they could contact about issues affecting them. Take it further

Encourage your group to work with local representatives on issues which matter to them. Invite a local representative to talk to your group about their work.

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Draw lines to show where these representatives are based. Don't forget your MP will be based in your constituency as well as the UK Parliament.

Elected Mayor... In some areas of the UK, you might also have an elected mayor who represents your city or region.

MLAs at the Northern Ireland Assembly... If you live in Northern Ireland you have an MLA (Member MPs... You have an elected MP of the Legislative Assembly) who (Member of Parliament) who represents your constituency. represents your constituency in debates and when making laws.

MSs at the Welsh Parliament... If you live in Wales you have MSPs at the Scottish Parliament... one representative for your edinburgh If you live in Scotland you have local constituency and four one MSP (Member of the Scottish MSs (Members of the Senedd) Parliament) who represents your for your region working at local constituency and 7 MSPs belfast the Welsh Parliament/ representing your region. Senedd Cymru.

Members of the House of Lords... Council Mayor... Some councils use their specialist knowledge to have a mayor. They are responsible look at laws and issues in detail. for the day-to-day running of your You can contact a member of the local services. House of Lords about an issue that affects you.

Local Councillors... You also have cardiff Local Councillors who represent london you and your community when decisions are being made about your local area.

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Change always starts with conversation. Use these activities to help your group share their ideas.

Activity: What matters to you?

Get groups thinking about what matters to them. The aim is for groups to listen to different ideas, rather than taking sides. You can discuss one of the issues presented on the discussion cards on page 8, or tackle several. Use the prompt questions on each card to get discussions started and to support critical thinking around each issue. Keep a note of the ideas which come up to help summarise the discussion at the end. Adapt the activity for your group: • Use the blank cards to include issues which are relevant to your group. Think about things which are affecting the local area or their age group. Activity: It starts with an idea • Challenge your group by asking them to rank the issues Help your group to focus on their own campaign from most important to least. Remind them there are no for change. right or wrong answers. This should prompt discussion about how difficult it can be to prioritise some issues 1. What matters to you? over others. Use the discussion cards to get the group talking about • Use this activity to consider how MPs and members of things they would like to change. Ask each group to agree the House of Lords debate, question and scrutinise the on one campaign. If they can’t decide, hold a vote. Government on multiple issues every week. 2. What do you know? Spend time researching the issue. What change would you like to see? Who has the power to make that change? Take it further Ask the group to form three key messages they want people to know about their issue. All the debates which take place in the UK Parliament are recorded and available to 3. Get attention! watch live on parliamentlive.tv Now it’s time to create a catchy campaign slogan. Think about campaigns your group is familiar with for inspiration.

07 Is this important to you? Why? Is this important to you? Why? What change do you want to see? What change do you want to see?

Impose tougher sentences Improve mental to tackle hate crime health services

What do you want the UK Parliament to do? What do you want the UK Parliament to do?

Is this important to you? Why? Is this important to you? Why? What change do you want to see? What change do you want to see? Teach finance, politics Make public transport and relationships as a free for all under-18s 'curriculum for life'

What do you want the UK Parliament to do? What do you want the UK Parliament to do?

Is this important to you? Why? Is this important to you? Why? What change do you want to see? What change do you want to see? Tackle homelessness Source all electricity so everyone has a safe from renewable sources place to live

What do you want the UK Parliament to do? What do you want the UK Parliament to do?

Is this important to you? Why? Is this important to you? Why? What change do you want to see? What change do you want to see?

What do you want the UK Parliament to do? What do you want the UK Parliament to do?

Is this important to you? Why? Is this important to you? Why? What change do you want to see? What change do you want to see?

What do you want the UK Parliament to do? What do you want the UK Parliament to do?

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Activity: Host a panel discussion Choose your panellists

This activity is aimed at older groups, adults Who knows about your issue? Who has strong opinions? and communities. Try to choose people based in your local area or in your network. What does your group care about? Consider panellists who represent different ideas Pick a question relevant to their interests and invite and have a range of experiences, for example; panellists who can provide a range of views on the subject. • Individuals or groups campaigning on the issue Consider questions which will chime with the interests • Your MP, a member of the House of Lords, or a or experiences of your audience, for example: member of your local council or devolved legislature. • The issues on the debate cards opposite. • Experts in the field – consider universities or relevant charities to find contacts. • Current campaigns in your local area. • People with first-hand experience of the issue. • Recent documentaries or issues raised in the media. • Issues relevant to your organisation or community. Plan

Venue Where can you host your event? Consider how big your audience is, and how easily they will be able to access the venue. Audience Who would you like to come and how will you let people know about your event? Could you use an existing regular event, include it in a newsletter or advertise in the local media? Questions You could gather questions from your audience on the day, but it’s useful to also have a few questions ready to pose at the start of the discussion. Ask your panellists for ideas, or put out a call for questions on social media in advance. On the day Will you need a microphone? Could you live stream your event on social media to increase the audience?

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Campaigners are making change happen all across the UK. Get inspired by the actions these people have taken.

Campaign: Encouraging people to use less single-use plastic I started campaigning on my personal social media pages, sharing tips to reduce single-use plastic and alternative products to use. I work with Girlguiding North Essex. I shared my ideas with the Brownies I work with, who have since written to their local MP about this issue.

Try, and keep trying – be determined to make Campaign: To improve awareness your mark! of safety around water. After my friend Teya died after falling into water, I started to campaign for schools to teach Campaign: Climate change activism water safety. I also set up an Instagram account to raise I am the Youth MP for Bury and also awareness among young people part of the the UK Student Climate directly and contacted my local Network. In September 2019, over council about adding signage 3000 people were part of the Strike around water. Recently I heard a for Climate in Manchester. I have group of young people had helped also had incredible opportunities someone out of a pond – they knew to speak at conferences and union what to do because they’d heard meetings and to politicians. my message in school.

People will get behind Find like-minded people your campaign if it’s in your local community something you genuinely or online, and come believe in and can together to raise demonstrate passion for. awareness.

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Campaign: To support and raise awareness of the issues facing young refugees. We give speeches about our ideas and experiences as refugees all around the country. We’ve been to schools, colleges, the UK Parliament, charity events and community meetings, making our voices heard, helping people understand the experiences of refugees in the UK and showing the gifts and talents they bring.

Stand together – our voices are stronger when we speak together and have the courage to speak the truth.

Campaign: To encourage people to engage Campaign: To end the sale of eggs from caged with politics. hens in UK supermarkets. I created a website to answer some key I began my campaign when I was 12, writing letters questions people have about elections and voting. to supermarkets and politicians. I started a petition, votingcounts.org.uk gives information of what which got 280,000 signatures and was then invited different types of elections mean and how they to meet with managers at Tesco, who pledged to affect you. I’ve worked with volunteers to improve stop selling eggs from caged hens by 2025 – Asda the website and used social media and the national and Morrisons followed with similar pledges. press to promote it. Hundreds of thousands of people use it during elections.

People will get behind your campaign if it’s Remember that feeling frustrated is okay, something you genuinely believe in and can it means that you care. demonstrate passion for.

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An effective campaign usually involves lots of actions working together. Use this ten step plan to get your ideas off the ground.

Why does this issue matter to you? Who can make the change you’re aiming for? Why is it important your campaign Your MP is your representative at UK Parliament and is a success? can help you influence law-making, but you could also focus on individuals or other large organisations. Where will your campaign have most impact?

Know a creative whiz or a confident speaker? Get people involved in roles they’re good at! Think of three things you want people to know about your issue. Can you turn your message into a memorable slogan?

Who is most affected by your issue? Tell their story to help people understand your cause. Use the UK Parliament e-petition website to gather support – when an e-petition gets 10,000 signatures, the government provides a written response and e-petitions with 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in the UK Parliament.

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Find other teams working on your issue. What Use all your skills to share your messages. Think can you learn from them? Can you join them? about campaigns you’ve found inspiring – what Search for a member of the House of Lords can you make to inspire other people? who has worked on your topic. Select committees also research current issues by collecting evidence from the public, so you may be able to offer your experience directly to them.

How will you keep your group motivated? Suffragists campaigned for decades before women were given voting rights – change can take a long time. Use social media, local press, radio or even TV? The first mass petition requesting women’s suffrage was presented in 1866, and the law didn’t change until 1918.

Use this guide to help your group plan their own campaigns, big or small, local or international. Don’t just talk about it, take action! Everyone can take on a mini-mission. Small changes can Create mission cards with your group to display make a big difference. It starts with you! as a reminder of the missions you’re taking on.

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Video can be a powerful way to share a message. Follow these steps to help your group find their film-making feet!

Activity: Make a campaign video Get creative

What do you want to say? Each group should work out There are lots of ways your group could use their creativity the key message they want to share through the video. to make their campaign video. Creating Your Video • Slideshow Keep it simple: make a video using a slideshow Plan the video in three parts. with images, text, music, and even a voiceover! 1. Beginning Explain the problem you’re working to fix. • Drama Act out a story which demonstrates your 2. Middle Explain how the changes you’re campaigning campaign issue. for will make a difference. • Stop-motion There are lots of apps to help you 3. End Encourage the audience to do something! produce a fun stop-motion video. Use photos, drawings or even models. Tip... You can use props from the UK Parliament • Interviews If there is someone you know who is an Week kit. Groups could make storyboards to help expert, or has been affected by your issue, get them plan out their videos. to tell their story or answer questions about it. • News segment Combine talking to the camera with Show people your video! interviews, photographs or footage to produce a Think about where you can show the videos. news report. Hold a screening event or use social media!

Make it happen

You don’t need expensive equipment to make an • Search for copyright free music, images effective video. Use phones, tablets or cameras. and video online. There are lots of apps and free software to make • Find something to rest your phone or camera video-making simple. on to keep it still. • Record your video in a quiet, well-lit location. • Ensure you follow your social media rules and tag #UKPW.

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Voting is an important way to take part in democracy in the UK. Through voting, people choose who will represent them in the House of Commons, local councils and devolved legislatures.

Activity: Hold an election Activity: Convince me

In the UK, we elect MPs to the House of Commons during Ahead of any election, candidates will be out and a general election. about trying to persuade people to vote for them! Use the UK Parliament Week ballot box to hold your own Whatever your election is about, task your group election. Fill in and copy the ballot papers on page 17 to persuade others of what to vote for. so everyone can have their say by casting their vote. Encourage individuals or small teams to make short, persuasive speeches in favour of each option. Get them Keep it simple thinking about different techniques to help others see Voting to make a decision. their point of view. Ask your group to vote for something which will affect Try: them. For younger groups, it could be which story to • Using three strong words or phrases to create a hear or which film to watch. Older groups could vote for memorable soundbite a charity they would like to fundraise for, or an issue they would like to raise with their MP. • Offering facts or statistics to back up points • Using personal experiences or stories Add challenge Voting for a representative. Hold a mock election with different candidates canvassing for votes on different issues. You could allocate roles within your group: candidates, a polling station team and vote counters.

Register You can register to vote from 14 or 16 depending on where you live in the UK. Register to vote at gov.uk/registertovote There are different rules in each nation!

16 Place an 'X' in one box only Place an 'X' in one box only

Place an 'X' in one box only Place an 'X' in one box only

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Raise the profile of the issues you care about in the UK Parliament. Who should you be speaking to and what could you ask them to do?

Your MP Questions

Your MP is your representative in the UK Parliament, Members of both Houses can submit written questions regardless of your age or whether you voted for them. to government departments and ask questions in Building a positive relationship with them can help get the Chambers. Representatives from government the issues you care about on their agenda. departments appear in both Chambers regularly. Questions can be used to appeal for further information Members of the House of Lords and to press for action, so consider what sort of question would help your campaign the most. The House of Lords is characterised by breadth of knowledge and independence of thought, and Debates members of the House of Lords can support your campaign. Search for members whose policy MPs can request time for debates on local, national and interests and expertise align with your campaign international issues by putting a case to the Backbench at members.parliament.uk. Business Committee.

Contacting MPs and members of the House of Lords

• Clearly and succinctly explain what your campaign or issue is, providing evidence which demonstrates why it is important. • Include an idea of how and why you’d like this person to support you. • Be aware members of both Houses are busy. Allow time to respond, but do follow up if you don’t hear back.

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Select committees

Both Houses set up select committees to conduct inquiries into a range of issues. Inquiries have focussed on a diverse range of issues, from artificial intelligence to sustainable fashion and mental health. Select committees call for written evidence for every inquiry they conduct. Anyone can submit written evidence online, and some people or groups are invited to give evidence verbally. Your experience may provide valuable insights into a select committee inquiry. Follow select committees online, and you may be able to raise the profile of your issue through a relevant inquiry. All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups formed by MPs and members of the House of Lords who share a common interest. They are not official committees but these groups can sometimes be influential because of their non-partisan approach across both Chambers. If the focus of an APPG matches with your campaign, its members may be able to add their support.

Four steps to start an e-petition

1. Create your petition online at petition.parliament.uk. It must be about something the UK Parliament or Government is responsible for, and include a request for a specific action. Only British citizens and UK residents can create or sign petitions. 2. Get five people to support your petition. You’ll get guidance on how to do this when you’ve created your petition. 3. Your petition will be checked before it is published. Sometimes petitions are rejected. Often it’s because it’s about an issue which is not the responsibility of the UK Parliament or Government, or because a very similar petition already exists. 4. Share your petition online to gain signatures. When a petition receives 10,000 signatures, the Government responds in writing, and if it receives 100,000 signatures it is considered for a debate in Parliament.

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Girlguiding Ulster is an inclusive female- led organisation that provides girls and young women with exceptional experiences and opportunities, that celebrates and rewards its volunteers, and that encourages all of its members to make a positive impact in their local communities and beyond.

Each activity has been designed specifically for Girlguiding Ulster members by volunteers/ Speak Out! staff. Activities with additional resources Get ready to debate! Do you agree or disagree with are marked with an * and are available to these statements? Decide in a fun way, like running download from girlguidingulster.org.uk/link. to opposite sides of the hall. Please adapt each activity to suit the ability The ‘agree’ and ‘disagree’ groups should discuss before nominating a spokesperson. The two level of your girls if necessary. spokespersons will debate, and the leader can decide who made the best argument. Repeat with another statement, or make up If I was Prime Minister… your own! • Animals shouldn’t be kept as pets. If you were the Prime Minister, what is the first • All schools should be mixed (boys and girls). law you would make or change? Think about: • The environment is the world’s biggest issue. • Why is it a good idea? • Children shouldn’t have access to social media. • Who will it affect? • Going to school should be optional. Write your idea on a post-it. Take it in turns to tell the rest of the group your law. Use your ballot box • Everyone should eat less meat. to vote on whether to pass the law or not. Stick all the laws passed to one side, and rejected laws to the other. Unit Bunting* Discuss why some laws were rejected. Were they unfair? Did they make some people unhappy? Design unit bunting to decorate your meeting Would they cost too much money? place. Everyone should get a section of bunting*. Think about the issues you care about/that representatives should care about to inspire you! Connect all the pieces together with blu-tac, staples My Parliament Building* or with a piece of string through the holes marked on the template, and put up in your hall! Colour in your own version of Stormont with whatever colours you like on the sheet provided*.

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Make Your Own Placard*

Design your own placard campaigning on the issue you care about most*! Get creative with your materials. If you need some inspiration, think about the below statistics from the 2019 Girls’ Attitudes Survey: • 88 % feel it's urgent that we do more to protect the environment. • 62 % don’t feel safe in outdoor play facilities. • 79% have experienced bullying/ unacceptable behaviours. • 64% think there is too much pressure on doing well in exams. Design a Playpark for Use your ballot box to vote for the best placards! Your Community

What would your ideal playpark look like? What all would you include? Draw/design your idea in groups Change-Makers* or individually. Rainbows and Brownies can present their parks to the rest of the unit and use your ballot Print out and make up the two dice templates box to vote for the best park that isn’t your own. provided*. On one, there are six levels of change- Maybe you can vote for different categories e.g. maker: MP, MLA, local councillor, Girlguiding ‘best use of colour’ or ‘most original’. leader, teacher, and friend. On the other, there are six topics: Guides and Rangers can prepare a pitch to get government funding for their park, thinking about: • Climate change. • Who will use your park? • Access to safe play facilities. • Who will it benefit? • Animal testing. • Why is it needed? • Exam/test pressure. • How much will it cost? • Online bullying. Use your ballot box to vote on the best parks that • Equal opportunities for girls/young women. isn’t your own/those that should get funding. Roll both dice. Talk about what that change-maker Alternatively, make it ‘Dragon’s Den’ where leaders can do about that topic. Repeat for different act as local government, have an agreed amount combinations of change-maker and topic! of money to spend and can decide which projects to fund.

Stormont Acrostic

Take a sheet of paper and write the word ‘STORMONT’ down the left hand side. Work in groups or individually to think of words that relate to parliament beginning with the 8 letters (e.g. Minister) or that describe a good leader (e.g. Reliable). Alternatively, write ‘STORMONT’ down the centre of the page and think of words with each letter somewhere in them (e.g. gOvernment or cabineT). Race against each other to see who can think of all their words the fastest, or see who can come up with the most words in a specified time.

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Vote for Me Biscuits

At elections, candidates often wear a rosette. Decorate round biscuits with sweets, icing sugar etc to make your own edible rosette!

Parliamentary Tiddlywinks*

Print and cut out parliamentary facts*. Spread them out on the floor in your meeting place. Take it in turns to try to get your tiddlywink onto a fact to win it. The girl with the most facts at the end wins. Take time to discuss the facts.

Plan a UK Parliament Week Activity*

Imagine you have been asked to plan a fun festival to celebrate UKPW. You have been given £500 to spend on this. Divide into groups and discuss and agree how you are going to spend the money using the price list*. Choose a name for your event! Once each group is agreed, present your ideas for the rest of the unit and use your ballot box to vote for the best festival that isn’t your own. After, talk about: • How you decided what activities to include. • How you resolved any disagreements. • How you ensured everyone had their say.

Jigsaw Relay

Work in groups to put together parliamentary pictures the fastest! Before the unit meeting, the leader should print out a different picture per group of something to do with the Northern Ireland Assembly or the UK Parliament, e.g. Big Ben, Stormont etc. Cut each picture into the same number of pieces. Line up the girls in their groups at one end of the room and place the pictures on a chair at the other KEY Rainbows Guides end. Have a relay race to collect all of the parts of the pictures, and make them up like a jigsaw. Brownies Rangers When all of the pictures are complete, explain what they are.

22 #UKPW "Engage" section produced in partnership with Girlguiding Ulster Girlguiding with partnership in produced section "Engage" Gender Gaps

“The gender pay gap is an equality measure that shows the difference in average earnings between women and men.” (GOV.UK) While many people believe that one exists, not a lot of people know why. Here are some of the misconceptions around the gap – refer to this when someone tells you it doesn’t exist!

“ The gender pay gap means men and “ There is no gender pay gap in the UK.” women do not get equal pay for equal hours worked.” False – The gender pay gap in the UK stands at just over 17%. False – The gap is measured by taking all men’s wages and women’s wages and lining them up from highest to “ The gender pay gap will always exist.” lowest. Analysts then compare the number in the middle (the median), which is the ‘gap’. Last year the gap showed Not necessarily – The World Economic Forum predict that the women are paid less than men in all sectors the gap will take over 200 years to close completely. across the UK! However, there are number of actions employers can These are some of the reasons why: take to decrease the gap: • Women take longer maternity leave than men. • Flexible working hours for employees. • There are fewer women in senior roles. • Encourage longer paternity leave. • Women work in industries that pay less • Focus on mentoring schemes to • Women are more likely to take time off allow women to reach senior roles. to look after children. Therefore, whilst women and men may get equal pay for equal work, there are a range of other factors in explaining why the pay gap exists.

“ The pay gap is a minor issue that won’t Programme Links affect me.”

Incorporate UK Parliament Week False – Evidence suggests that it will, especially if into your programme activities: you work and have children. The gender pay gap is a gender equality issue; it affects whether economies Skills Builders and societies thrive. • Communicate (Express Myself) Discuss how it could be fixed: • Make Change (Take Action) • What changes can be made. Interest Badges • Who can make this change. • Brownies – My rights (Know Myself) • How to campaign for change. • Guides – Campaigning (Take Action) Breaking Free: Book a Peer Education session • Guides – Human Rights (Take Action) to give girls the tools to identify and challenge • Rangers – Voting (Take Action) gender stereotypes.

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Use these quick fun activities to get younger groups on their feet and thinking.

Activity: Get moving Activity: Get heard

Get everyone moving with different actions for each phrase This activity gets people listening. It can be used to split you call out. Speed up as the game progresses. your group into teams. You could take people out of the game if they make the • Hand out the roles and phrases below to everyone wrong pose until you get to one winner. in the group. In the running Run on the spot • Get everyone moving around the room calling out their phrase. At the same time, they should listen to those Place a vote Lie on the floor in an X shape around them. Take your seat Sit up on the floor • After a couple of minutes, call out ‘Parliament’ – groups Make a speech Stand up and shout ‘Speech!’ must find each other by listening for the same call they have been making. • The group who gathers all its members first wins!

Roles and phrases: The Speaker – ‘Order, order’ The Speaker is responsible for making sure Commons debates run smoothly. An MP – ‘Hear, hear’ Members of both Houses of Parliament call ‘Hear, hear’ in debates to show they agree. Petitioner – ‘Sign here’ Paper and online petitions are a way for the public to influence what is debated in Parliament. Voter – ‘Criss Cross’ When people cast their votes, they draw a cross in the box to show their choice.

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Activity: Vote with your feet Activity: Who inspires you?

In UK Parliament, MPs and members of the House of Lords Get the group thinking about the qualities of someone vote by dividing into two corridors called ‘voting lobbies’. who inspires them. In the Commons they vote ‘Aye’ or ‘No’ and in the Lords Your group can focus on international campaigners they vote ‘Content’ or ‘Not Content’. who are in the news, public figures such as your MP, • Make one side of the room the ‘No’ lobby and the other or inspirational people who are close to you – consider the ‘Aye’. a leader, teacher or family-member. • Warm up with some simple statements to get your group • Give the group a few minutes to think of an individual moving to each side of the room. Try dogs are better than who has inspired them personally. You could share your cats, or crisps are better than chocolate. own inspiration or use our profiles on pages 10-11. • Then introduce issues of interest to your group. • Form a circle and roll or throw a ball from person to person. When someone catches the ball they should Try these:  explain who their inspirational person is and why. • The voting age should be lowered to 16 • Once everyone has had a go, discuss the qualities the • Travel should be free for under 25s inspirational people have. • Plastics should be banned Encourage the group to think about which of these qualities they share, and how they might develop or use their skills as change-makers themselves.

Take it further

Turn this into a longer activity creating art about the people who inspire you. Include the qualities you've discussed within the art work. Consider: Perseverance, respect, empathy, courage, patience, resilience, creativity, passion, cooperation, determination.

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Mix and match questions to create a quiz for your group. Make it easier by using the multiple choice options, or harder without.

1. How old must you be to vote in a UK 3. What is another word for a law? general election? • Ace • 21 years old • Act • 16 years old • Rule • 18 years old Only when both Houses have agreed can a proposed You must be 18 or older to vote, but you can law, called a Bill, become an ‘Act of Parliament’. register from 16.

2. What is the name for the large rooms 4. What colour are the seats in the House where each House debates? of Lords Chamber? • Chamber • Blue • Hall • Red • Theatre • Brown Both Houses meet in their Chambers to debate It is easy to tell in a photo or on TV which Chamber the big issues of the day and vote on new laws. is shown. The seats in the House of Lords are red, and in the House of Commons they are green.

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5. What is the official written record of 8. What do we call a change in wording made parliamentary debates called? by members of both Houses to a Bill? • Hansard • Revision • Parliament Papers • Mark-up • Herbert • Amendment Hansard publishes a written report of proceedings in Members of both Houses look in detail at proposals the House of Commons and the House of Lords. You for any new law. Any amendments they recommend can search Hansard online to read the proceedings must be voted on. from both Houses.

6. What do we call it when an individual or 9. Whose job in Parliament is it to make sure group tries to persuade members in either members in both Houses in a political House to support their cause? party vote, and vote the way their • Pushing party wants? • Conversing • Whips • Lobbying • Bangs Groups and individuals can lobby by sending letters, • Shouts using social media, or speaking to members of Whips are MPs or members of the House of Lords both Houses in person. The UK Parliament website chosen by their political party to organise their offers advice. members for votes. They also often act as ‘Tellers’ to count votes in the chambers.

7. In what decade did the House of Lords 10. How old was the youngest witness to first televise its debate? give evidence to a Committee? • 1970s • 9 years old • 1980s • 12 years old • 1990s • 16 years old In 1983 the House of Lords broadcast its first debate. In 2015 Alex Rukin was just nine years old when he Soon after it broadcast all debates. The Commons gave his opinion to a committee about a Bill which followed in 1989. would allow a new railway to be built near his home. 27 ukparliamentweek.org Ireland? Northern Wales and Scotland, devolved to powers some In which year were women first get first get the vote? did somedid

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28 Image credits

Page 3 (Left) © UK Parliament/Jess Taylor; Right © House of Lords 2019/Roger Harris. Pages 7, 9 (bottom right), 18, 19 – © UK Parliament/Jess Taylor. Thank you to Lens Change for other images, and to the "Get Inspired" campaigners for permission to use their images. How will you continue to connect with the UK Parliament?

For Schools HOPUKPW20/09 School trips, award winning resources, free teacher training, workshops at your school. What will your school do next? learning.parliament.uk | @ukparleducation

Groups Workshops, local events, petitions, select committee inquiries. Get involved and have your say on issues that matter to you. parliament.uk/getinvolved | @YourUKParl

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