General elections Why are the general elections important? The election is seen as an opportunity in influence future government policy-or ss positively, that whatever else the failings of the political system, at least the election provides the opportunity to "kick the rascals out!(P44. paragraph 1) What's more. in the UK. the citizen's right to vote for the cand idate of their choice to represent them in parliament is a right that has been struggled for over the past two hundred years When do elections occur? The General Elections are held every five years But the Prime Minister can call an election sooner than five years on the following condition (1)if the Government is defeated in the Commons on the issue (2)if the Prime Minister wants to a government cannot stand ve years exce circumstances(it has happened twice this century, when elections were delayed until the end of the First and Second World Wars) Who can stand for election as an MP? Any citizen can become a cand idate for election to the House of Commons. But, (1) certain classes of people are forbidden to sit in the House These include(a)judges,(b)civil servants, (c)members of the regular armed forces, (d) full-time police officers, and(e)members of many public boards and commissions(共同事业委员会) (2) He or she must get 10 electors in the constituency (3) He or she must pay a deposit(押金,保证金)off150, which he loses if he fails to get one-eight(1/8)of the votes at the election What happens in an election? (1) The voter receives a voting card telling him the exact time and place to vote, (2) The political parties are campaigning;(P 45. last paragraph) (a)Advertisement in newspapers (b)Door-to-door campaigning (c) Postal deliveries of leaflets (d)"Party electoral broadcasts"on the television () The voter votes on the election day; ( P46. paragraph 3)2 I. General Elections --- Why are the General Elections important? The election is seen as an opportunity in influence future government policy—or, less positively, that whatever else the failings of the political system, at least the election provides the opportunity to “kick the rascals out”! (P44.paragraph 1) What’s more, in the UK, the citizen’s right to vote for the candidate of their choice to represent them in parliament is a right that has been struggled for over the past two hundred years. --- When do Elections Occur? The General Elections are held every five years. But the Prime Minister can call an election sooner than five years on the following condition: (1) if the Government is defeated in the Commons on the issue; (2) if the Prime Minister wants to. A government cannot stand for longer than five years except in exceptional circumstances (it has happened twice this century, when elections were delayed until the end of the First and Second World Wars). --- Who can stand for election as an MP? Any citizen can become a candidate for election to the House of Commons. But, (1) certain classes of people are forbidden to sit in the House. These include (a) judges, (b) civil servants, (c) members of the regular armed forces, (d) full-time police officers, and (e) members of many public boards and commissions (共同事业委员会). (2) He or she must get 10 electors in the constituency. (3) He or she must pay a deposit (押金，保证金) of ￡150, which he loses if he fails to get one-eight (1/8) of the votes at the election. --- What happens in an election? (1) The voter receives a voting card telling him the exact time and place to vote; (2) The political parties are campaigning; (P 45. last paragraph) (a) Advertisement in newspapers (b) Door-to-door campaigning (c) Postal deliveries of leaflets (d) “Party electoral broadcasts” on the television (3) The voter votes on the election day; (P46. paragraph 3)