Political Participation and Volunteerism

• Political participation involves citizens making important decisions about the state, not just elected representatives
• It allows direct involvement through initiatives, consultations, petitions, and referendums

Volunteer Work

• Community volunteers may seek increased involvement and more challenging tasks as their expertise grows
• Those in social work, healthcare, youth work, community development, housing, and education may also transition into political participation
• Individuals who have experienced harm, such as domestic abuse, may campaign for others
• Faith can be a motivating factor
• Encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances can initiate involvement

Political Party Membership

• Anyone can join or found a political party, which unites people with similar views to contest elections
• Gaining power allows parties to implement changes aligning with their viewpoints
• The three main UK political parties are the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties
• Conservatives advocate for tax cuts but expect contributions for school and health services
• Labour aims to use taxes from wealthier individuals to support poorer people and improve health and education
• Liberal Democrats propose tax cuts for low and middle earners while improving health and education through efficient local control

Ways Citizens Can Get Involved

• Taking part in a campaign
• Raising funds
• Raising awareness
• Collecting names on a petition
• Lobbying or writing letters
• Meeting those you wish to convince/influence to help you make a change/improvement
• Taking part in direct action/protests
• Joining a pressure group
• Standing for election

UK Referendum Timeline

• 1997: Referendums in Scotland and Wales for devolution and establishing the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly

• 1998: Referendum for London to have a directly elected Mayor and devolution of powers

• 1998: Power sharing in Northern Ireland

• 2011: UK referendum on the Alternative Vote system

• 2014: Scotland Independence Referendum

• 2016: Referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union

• The House of Commons Chamber is full during important votes or the Royal State Opening of Parliament

• There are more MPs than seats, so some must stand

Digital Democracy

• Since the 1990s, the internet, smartphones, and social media have transformed political engagement
• E-Democracy can be top-down (government-initiated) or bottom-up (citizen-initiated)
• Examples include online voting, e-petitions, social media use for campaigns, accessing political information online, and politicians using platforms like Twitter
• Digital democracy has allowed social movements to gain wider support and publicity
• Examples of social movements: Camps for Climate Action, Occupy Movement

Outsider Pressure Groups in the UK

• Outsider pressure groups have limited or no government contact and are not consulted during policy formation

• They may be associated with law-breaking activities

• Examples: CND, Motorcycle Action Group, Fathers 4 Justice

• Politicians and the press depend on each other for stories and political promotion

• Short sound bites and quotes are used for audience engagement and message retention

Insider Pressure Groups in the UK

• Insider pressure groups have close relationships with the government
• They are consulted during policy implementation
• They are unlikely to use direct action or break the law
• Examples: NFU, BMA, MENCAP, Howard League for Penal Reform

Employee Responsibilities

• Ensure personal health and safety and the safety of others
• Fulfill job description duties
• Follow the code of conduct with honesty and appropriate behavior
• Be punctual
• Report absences promptly
• Not to discriminate against colleagues/service users

Protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Employment Tribunals

• Employment Tribunals settle employment disputes, such as discrimination or unfair dismissal

Employment Rights

• Minimum Wage
• Maternity Pay
• Statutory Sick Pay
• Holiday Pay
• European working Time Directive
• Health & Safety
• Contract of employment
• Freedom from Discrimination

History of Employment Laws

• 1970 Equal Pay Act: Equal pay for identical or similar jobs
• 1975 Sex Discrimination Act: Illegal to discriminate based on sex
• 1976 Race Relations Act: Outlaws discrimination based on colour, race, nationality, and ethnic origin
• The National Minimum Wage Act 1988 gives everyone the right to a minimum amount to be paid depending on their age
• 1995 Disability Discrimination Act: Illegal to treat disabled people less favorably
• 2010 Equality Act: Protects against discrimination in the workplace and wider society, replacing previous acts

Making a Claim Under the Equality Act 2010

• Keep a record of events, including dates, times, and descriptions
• Seek advice from ACAS, a trade union, or a lawyer
• Negotiate with the employer to resolve the issue informally, with a colleague or union rep present
• Use the company’s grievance procedure to make an official complaint
• Take legal action to an employment tribunal within 3 months if all else fails

Trade Unions

• Trade Unions are associations of workers formed to protect their rights and interests
• Trade Unions aim for workers to unite

What Trade Unions Do

• Trade unions negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions (collective bargaining)
• They provide legal and financial advice, sickness benefits, and education facilities
• Main services include negotiation, representation, information and advice, education and training, member services and legal assistance

Unison

• UNISON represents members in public services and utilities
• It negotiates, campaigns for better conditions and pay, and supports public services

Examples of Trade Unions

• Unison
• NUJ (National Union of Journalists)
• BMA (British Medical Association)
• NUT (National Union of Teachers)
• FBU (Fire Brigades Union)

Facts About Trade Unions

• Trade union membership has declined but remains more popular than political party membership
• Public sector membership is higher than private sector
• Most UK unions belong to the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
• Many unions have political funds and donate to the Labour Party
• The political influence of Trade Unions has been declining since 1979
• Unions protect workers' rights

Recent Examples of Industrial Action

• RMT Union strikes on the London Underground over the night tube and ticket office closures
• McDonald's workers strike over low wages and zero-hours contracts
• British Airways cabin crew strike over low pay and working conditions
• RMT dispute with South West trains over the role of guards on trains

Politics Beyond the UK

• The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a Parliament
• The monarch's power is ceremonial, with legislative power residing in the elected parliament
• The monarch symbolizes stability, unity, and pride and is Head of the Commonwealth

Cuba and Communism

• Cuba transitioned to a communist state under Fidel Castro in 1965
• The government took over public services, property, and businesses, with controls on private businesses
• Only the Communist Party is allowed, with no opposition parties, free press, or independent newspapers
• The state runs all education facilities, the economy, production, and sets prices
• Cuba has a state-run healthcare system and opportunities for higher education for government supporters

Forms of Governments and Ideologies

• Communism: Power to the people through a classless system like Cuba
• Socialism: Profits should be shared, trade unions protect workers through people power
• Capitalism: Big business and low taxes
• Liberalism: Democracy, individual rights, and government for the people
• Conservatism: Government keeps businesses under control through a strong government
• Fascism: Nationalistic, autocratic leadership and country over the individual
• Anarchism: No rules or respect for authority

North Korea

• The political system is built on centralization according to the constitution
• It is defined as "a dictatorship of people's democracy under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which is given legal supremacy over.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia has an absolute monarchy
• Monarchs have less corruption but citizens lack power, and the monarch is unaccountable