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Alternative Vote Referendum

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What is a referendum?

What is the Alternative Vote, and how does it differ from first-past-the-post?

What did the British public decide?

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes PageFlash activity. These activities are not editable.

Web addresses

Icons key:

Learning objectives

Referendums

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Are you happy with the democratic process as it exists?

A referendum is the procedure by which a decision in Parliament is referred to the general public. A ballot is held, and the public vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Do you know what the referendum held on the 5th May 2011 was about?

There was a referendum in 1975 to decide whether Britain should remain in the European Union.

Currently the public vote for MPs to make decisions about laws on their behalf. But would it be better if everyone were able to vote on every decision made in Parliament?

First-past-the-post and AV

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Take a vote!

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The result

On Friday 6th May 2011 it was announced that the British public had voted no to the Alternative Vote.

32.1% voted for AV, and 67.9% voted against AV. This means that Britain will continue with the first-past-the-post system.

Do you agree with this decision? Discuss your opinions in groups.