UK Elections Overview

UK Elections

• Various elections exist, including general, local council, European, and mayoral elections.
• General elections occur at least every five years to elect 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons.
• The candidate with the most votes per constituency wins the seat.
• The party with the majority of seats forms the government; its leader becomes Prime Minister.
• The second-largest party becomes the official opposition, with its leader as Leader of the Opposition.
• Individuals who cannot vote include House of Lords members, many prisoners, mentally incapable individuals, those under 18, foreign citizens without UK citizenship, and those with recent (within 5 years) election-related crimes.
• Technically, the royals do not vote due to constitutional guidelines requiring neutrality.
• Vote counting must begin within 4 hours of the poll closing (typically 10 PM), or a statement explaining the delay is needed.
• To run for general election, candidates must submit nomination forms and a £500 deposit by the deadline.

Who Can Be an MP?

• Most eligible voters can stand as an MP.

Referendums

• Referendums are used for important issues like power sharing (1998) and EU membership (2016).

Voter Turnout

• Voter turnout among disadvantaged groups has declined recently.
• Homelessness used to prevent people from being on the electoral roll, but now they can claim a 'declaration of local connection.'

Electoral Commission

• The Electoral Commission, established in 2000, ensures the integrity of the UK's democratic process.

Local Government

• Local authorities, or councils, decide on local services.
• Local elections occur at least every four years, with variations in election frequencies.
• Local government systems are classified as one-tier (unitary) or two-tier (county and districts).
• England has 353 councils, with many different categories.
• Elections for Local Government use: First Past The Post system (England & Wales), Single Transferable Vote (Scotland & Northern Ireland).

Council Responsibilities

• Councils manage various services, including children's services, social care, public health, libraries, planning, roads, emergencies, and more.
• Their role also involves improving the quality of life through elements like floral displays.

Mayoral Elections

• Some UK areas choose mayors using the Supplementary Vote system, requiring voters to select a first and second choice.

UK Tax System

• Taxes are compulsory contributions to state revenue for aspects like workers' income and business profits or added costs to goods, services, and transactions.
• The tax year is from April 6th to April 5th next year (a tradition from medieval times).
• Every UK citizen has a tax-free personal allowance — £11,850 in 2019 — but this can change based on factors like marriage or disability.

Tax Types

• Several types of tax exist in the UK, including Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Inheritance Tax, National Insurance, Excise Duties, Insurance Premium Tax, Petroleum Revenue Tax, Stamp Duty, VAT, TV Licence, Landfill taxes, Business rates, Green taxes, Air Passenger Duty, Climate Change Levy, and Vehicle Exercise Tax.

Tax-Free Allowances

• Tax-free allowances include ISA savings interest, dividends from company shares, the first £1,000 of self-employment income, the first £1,000 of rental income, some state benefits, Premium Bond or National Lottery winnings, rent from a lodger (below the rent-a-room limit), and Married Couple's Allowance (for reduced rates).

Taxable Items

• Taxes are typically levied on income from employment, self-employment profits, certain state benefits, most pensions, rental income, job benefits, trust income, and savings interest (beyond allowance, or outside ISAs).