House of Commons Elections Overview

House of Commons Elections

• The House of Commons is one of Europe's oldest parliaments, often considered conservative in its approach.
• The electoral system is based on a simple principle: each community elects one Member of Parliament (MP) until the next general election.
• Constituencies (districts) vary in size, and their boundaries are reviewed every 10 years to ensure fair representation.
• Currently, the Commons has roughly 650 seats, representing approximately 60,000–90,000 voters per MP.
• The right to vote (franchise) was gradually expanded throughout the 19th century, giving the right to all adult men by 1918.
• Women gained the right to vote in 1918, and the minimum voting age was lowered to 18 in 1970.
• Excluded from voting are children, convicted criminals, the mentally ill, peers (members of the House of Lords), and in some cases clergy.
• British citizens of Commonwealth countries or the Irish Republic also have voting rights.

Candidate Eligibility

• Any British subject 18 or older can be a candidate.
• Exemptions include peers, Church of England clergy, and those disqualified by law (e.g., judges, civil servants, military or police).
• Candidate requirements in the UK vary from other countries (e.g. Hungary).
• In the UK, a £500 deposit and 10 supporting signatures from the constituency are needed as a requirement for candidates
• Party candidates are usually funded by their party.
• Candidates who receive at least 5% of the constituency votes get their deposit back.
• Candidates do not need to live in the constituency they seek to represent.

Elections and Voting

• Britain doesn't have a central registry of residents, requiring residents to register within the constituency for voting purposes.
• Registration updates take place annually in the autumn, with each household legally obligated to report residents over seventeen.
• The accuracy of these registers is crucial for valid elections.
• Voting is not compulsory, but historically high voter turnout (over 70%) is common.
• The 2001 election saw a record-low turnout below 60%. Turnout remained relatively low thereafter.

This quiz explores the electoral process of the House of Commons, including its historical context and candidate eligibility. Discover the evolution of voting rights and the role of constituencies in UK democracy. Test your knowledge on this pivotal aspect of British governance.