The Labour Party in Manor Ward

Fed up with politics - everybody rabbiting on about something, complaining about this, demanding that and getting fazed because something is, or is not, happening?  Who cares !  Aren't politicans all the same? And anyway, nothing changes if I vote.

Really? Look at it this way:  the country, our roads, schools, hospitals, shops, trains or buses would either not be here or in a right state if we didn't have people looking after them. The people who make sure the country runs well are the politicians.  In fact, little happens in society - or your neighbourhood, even in your home - that is not in some way affected by decisions someone made at some time or another at a local or national level.

The people who rabbit, complain and vote for them are usually called citizens.  Read on to find out how you could be a citizen who can help to change things.  If you click on the links below you will get to places where you can find more information about being a citizen. You might even be a politician one day. 

  Politics and Sports?  Click HERE.

 Politics and your Night Out?  Click HERE.

 Politics and your neighbourhood?  Click HERE.

  How 2 Vote?  Click HERE.

  Register 2 Vote?  Click HERE. 

Whigs and the Tories were the earliest political parties in the UK.  They were a loose collection of vested interests and not at all organised like modern parties.  The Tories served the rich landowners and the Church, and the Whigs served rich industrialists.

By about 1850, this motley crew had gained a firmer footing and organised themselves into what we now know as a political party.  The Tories became the Conservative Party and the Whigs became the Liberal Party.

These two parties more or less had the House of Commons to themselves until about the 1920s.  Then the Liberal Party fell well out of favour and an emergent Labour Party was born, serving the interests of ordinary working people.

Meanwhile (not far from Gotham City) the Liberal Party merged with the Social Democrat Party which was a breakway section of the Labour Party.  This new party became the Liberal Democrats.  And that's it.

Visit Wikipedia for a very engaging overview and further information about 'Politics of the United Kingdom'.  Have a great read !!

What is citizenship?

Citizenship is a word that means  something like 'common bond bringinging together everyone in the country - and even the world'.   A sound community has active citizens.  And that means there are lots of people who take part in making decisions affecting their neighbourhood: building playgrounds or skating rinks, for example.  The more local residents have a say, the better the decisions will be and the better the neighbourhood will be for the residents who live there.

What rights do you have as a citizen?

You have the right to vote (when you are 18), the right to apply for a Government job and the right to own a British Passport so that you can go on holiday abroad.  Citizens also have the right to join the Army, Navy or Airforce, and stand as a candidate at elections.

What responsibilities do you have as a citizen?

No big deal: obey the law, vote at elections when you are 18, look after yourself and your environment, and treat others with respect - regardless of race, gender or religion.  How hard is that !!! And if you want to contribute to the well-being of the Manor community, the country or the whole world there is plenty of exciting adventure on offer.  Just check out the volunteering links below.  But first, visit Downing Street for Young People ! You will get to live there once you become our Prime Minister.

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is run BY young people FOR young people and provides opportunities for 11-18-year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. Go on, you know you want to find out how that's possible.  Just click HERE.

WAGGS R Us? If you are, or have been, a girl guide, then the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has a website you will find empowering.  And empowerment is what democracy is all about (giving power to the people) so don't leave without giving it a click HERE. 

 A supersonic site for young people who care for the environment?  Holidays, competitions, recycling and making bird feeding boxes - click here and have it ALL: the Young People's Trust for the Environment.   

Visit the ICO if you like networking online. It tells you how to surf safely.  Click HERE.