GUIDE THE BIG EUROPEAN - New Europeans
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE BIG
EUROPEAN
CITIZENS’
GUIDE
ow to get involved
on h
THE BIG CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2
2.1 UK Parliament
The British Parliament is the supreme law-making
EUROPEAN
body in the United Kingdom. Its head is Queen
Elizabeth II, and its seat is the Palace of Westminster
Introduction Political structure in the UK in London (pictured right). The parliament consists
CITIZENS’ This chapter will outline the structure of political
of the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
In the House of Lords, some members are bishops
GUIDE
This booklet is a Living Rights project resource,
written by New Europeans and designed for EU decision-making for you to get a better idea of how of the Church of England, some are hereditary peers
citizens who want to find ways to get involved in their the political system works in the UK and who is here and some are appointed as life peers by the Queen.
communities and to make their voices heard, as well as to represent you. The House of Commons is democratically elected
et involved a guide for those who want to help others to do so. with elections at least every five years. The House of
g
on how to
Commons has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs).
The role of New Europeans in the Living Rights
project is to encourage civic engagement of EU
citizens in the UK. This could be taking part in a
demonstration, or standing in an election! It could be
knowing about the political structure of the UK, from Palace of
Westminster, London
Westminster to the local council and who to turn to
CONTENTS
with your concerns. It also could be getting involved
in the community, from volunteering in a homeless
shelter to creating a campaign around the issues that
you care about.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 2
We hope this booklet will inspire you!
CHAPTER 2 POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN
THE UK 3
CHAPTER 3 ELECTIONS AND EU
CITIZENS’ VOTING RIGHTS 6
CHAPTER 4 GETTING INVOLVED IN A
LOCAL COMMUNITY 9
CHAPTER 5 ONLINE ACTIVITIES AND
VOLUNTEERING 11
THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC) PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 3
2.2 Members of Parliament hold in your local area. Normally ‘surgeries’ are held bodies of law that apply to the different parts of the Finally, many areas of the UK also now elect a Police and
The most powerful advocate you have in British in church halls, community centres or other such UK and the different levels of autonomy that apply to Crime Commissioner (PCC) to oversee local policing
society is your Member of Parliament, your MP. locations so that they are readily accessible to the each elected body. (the Mayor has responsibility in London, the Parliament
local community. Sometimes the MP will hold the London has an elected authority made up of two in Scotland and the Assembly in Northern Ireland).
Each Member of Parliament in Britain is elected in surgery in her or his constituency office.
her or his own ‘constituency’, that is to say the local components, a directly elected Mayor and an 2.4 Local level
area that they subsequently represent. Unlike many The only criterion for being able to make an Assembly made of a mixture of directly elected
other member states where politicians are elected on appointment is that your address falls within the members and members elected by proportional Local councils
a proportional basis from party lists, British MPs are constituency that the MP represents. representation. The current Mayor of London is Your local council is responsible for the services and
Sadiq Khan (Labour). His predecessor was Boris facilities in your area. They make sure that the rubbish
elected to represent one area, known as a (single- To find out who your MP is, you can go to the
Johnson (Conservative). A number of cities in the is collected from outside your house. They provide
member) constituency and by an electoral system parliamentary website, open the MPs. Lords & Offices
UK also have directly elected mayors, including the local schools and nurseries. They pay for the fire
called ‘first-past-the-post’. This means that the tab and tap in your postcode where it says Find your
Bristol, Manchester, Leicester and Liverpool. A brigade. They make sure that there’s police on the
candidate who wins the highest number of votes is MP. Each MP will have a website with information
city can hold a referendum if it wants to create the streets to help keep the area safe and free from crime.
elected to Parliament to represent everyone from about how to contact them as well as when and
that constituency as their MP. elected to represent where constituency surgeries take place. position of directly elected mayor but many cities have Without it, there’d be no street lighting or cleaning.
one area, known as a (single-member) constituency either chosen not to do so or held referendums which There’d be no council housing and social services
and by an electoral system called ‘first-past-the-post’. 2.3 Devolved administrations returned a ‘no’ vote.This year the West Midlands elected couldn’t support people and families in need. In
This means that the candidate who wins the highest their first Mayor, following a devlution deal between the Northern Ireland, housing, education and policing
The UK has three devolved administrations; that of UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
number of votes is elected to Parliament to represent Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This process
everyone from that constituency as their MP. of decentralisation puts power closer to the citizen so
You can make an appointment to meet your MP at that local factors are better recognised in decision-
The Welsh
one of their regular advice sessions or ‘constituency making. Elections to the devolved legislatures takes
Assembley
surgeries’ as they are known which your MP will the form of some kind of proportional representation,
unlike MPs in Westminster who are elected using
first-past-the-post.
You don’t always need an
appointment. Some MPs
Scotland has a Parliament while Wales and Northern
will come to you Ireland both have an Assembly. The devolved powers
in Scotland include law and policy making on such
things as health, education and training, housing,
local government, tourism and more. The Scottish
Parliament also has tax-raising powers. The Assembly
in Northern Ireland and the Assembly of Wales
(pictured right) have the power to legislate on local
issues, such as health, education, environment, public
transport etc. The differences reflect the different
4 THE BIG EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ GUIDE ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC) PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 5
are not the responsibility of local councils but are Wales:
provided by other government bodies.
Councils get money from local taxes, such as council
tax and business rates, and also from the government.
CHAPTER 3 • European Parliament
• National Assembly for Wales
• Local council
Unfortunately, there aren’t endless amounts of cash Elections and EU citizens’ voting rights
• Police and Crime Commissioner
available. Each council obtains a set amount each year. It
then has to decide and plan how its money will be spent.
3.1 Elections in the UK Northern Ireland:
Who chooses the council? There are six types of elections in the United • European Parliament
Just like we have MPs representing us in Parliament, Kingdom: United Kingdom general elections,
we have local councilors who represent us in the • Northern Ireland Assembly elections
elections to devolved parliaments and assemblies,
council. Councilors are elected at local elections. They elections to the European Parliament, local • Local council
all belong to different political parties, so you quite elections, mayoral elections and Police and Crime • Police and Crime Commissioner
often will hear of councils being referred to as Labour Commissioner elections.
councils or Conservative councils. The party with the The table below shows the elections which are
most votes is the party in charge, so its main ideas and Elections are held on Election Day, which is scheduled in the next couple of years. EU citizens
views will influence how the local area is run. The conventionally a Thursday. Since the passing of currently living in the UK will be able to vote
council meets and elects its leader and a Cabinet (just the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 for general to vote. This was because Scotland is a devolved in these. Use your vote; it is your voice and your
like national government). The Cabinet members and elections, all six types of elections are held after fixed power, and they can design their own franchise. opportunity to change things for the better.
various committees are responsible for specific issues periods, though early elections to parliament and It is also your right in local, regional and European
such as education, social services and health. the devolved assemblies and parliaments can occur elections because you are an EU citizen.
in certain situations. Earlier this year, Prime Minister EU citizens can currently vote in the
Voter turnout Theresa May called a ‘snap election’. The previous following elections:
Voter turnout for local elections in some areas is as election was in 2015, so another one was not due 2018 2019
England:
low as 20%. That means that just one-fifth of the peo- until 2020. Snap elections need to be approved by English local government European Parliament
ple in some areas have had a say in who is in charge • European Parliament (Unitary authorities) Northern Ireland local
two thirds of MPs in the House of Commons.
in the local area. Use your vote in the elections you • Local council government
are eligible to vote in, and make sure your voice is • London Mayor and Assembly
heard in your local community! 3.2 Elections EU citizens can vote in • Police and Crime Commissioner
As an EU citizen you have voting rights without 3.3 Standing in elections
being a UK citizen.You are able to vote in all Scotland: EU citizens can stand as a candidate in all elections,
elections, apart from the General Elections, and in apart from in UK parliamentary elections.
• European Parliament
referenda called by the UK government, such as the
referendum on exiting the EU in June 2016. In 2014 • Scottish Parliament This means you can run for local government. Local
Scotland held a referendum for independence in • Local council government controls policy and local spending on
which EU citizens resident in Scotland were eligible the environment, some education, voluntary sector,
• Police and Crime Commissioner
6 THE BIG EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ GUIDE ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC) PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 7
environment, recycling, waste disposal and social care. • Mayoral elections in England, Wales and 4. Member of local sports or
Councillors are usually nominated by political parties
but independent councillor also stand. A councillor is
selected to represent a ward, which is the smallest unit
•
Northern Ireland
Parish and community council elections in
England and Wales
CHAPTER 4 cultural agency
Examples include tennis, football and cricket clubs,
local choirs, the Scouts etc. These groups need
of electoral representation - usually 5,500 people. Getting involved in a local community governance and usually call on community members
• National Assembly for Wales elections
The closest unit to the community is the parish to supply it. It is a good place to learn about influence.
council. Parish councillors are often non-political. • Northern Ireland Assembly elections Getting involved in your local community is not only
They have a wide range of powers which essentially • The London Assembly about elected office. There are many community 4.3 Neighbourhood Watch
related to local matters, such as looking after agencies, we might loosely call them civil society A Neighbourhood Watch
community buildings, open space, allotments, play Candidates are selected by their local parties, which
may be organised not just at a constituency-wide groups, through which citizens contribute to the group supports the police
areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car parks and much wellbeing of their community. The possibilities here are with community safety
more.You find parish councils in rural settings, rather level but also into local branches or council wards.
If you want to put your name forward to stand for endless, but below we have listed a few ways you can and community prevention
than in towns and cities. volunteer and contribute to your local community. activity. It is about making
election, you will need at least two years membership
Other tiers of local government include Assembly, of a political party. sure that fewer people feel
such as the London Assembly and City Mayors who 4.1 Parent Teachers Committee1 afraid, vulnerable or isolated
always have an Assembly supporting them, as in West There are usually preliminary ‘short-listing’ meetings Most schools have a Parent Teacher Association in the place where they
Midlands, Manchester, London and Liverpool. followed by the final ‘hustings’ when each candidate (PTA), which is an organisation of parents and staff. live. It was born in 1964 in
speaks and answers in questions and there is then a Its role is to encourage closer links between home New York as a community
Crime Commissioners are elected officers who are vote to decide who the candidate for the election and school. response to the murder of
charged with the responsibility of ensuring policing should be. What counts is the local identity and the
Most PTAs hold their annual general meeting in Kitty Genovese. It was set up
is well organised. They are supported by Police and ability to connect with and represent local people.
September, at the start of the school year. At this in the UK in 1982 and was originally called
Crime Panels which advertise for non-specialist
You are one of those people, whether you have the meeting a committee is elected to run the PTA – Home Watch.
participants.
vote in parliamentary elections or not. usually consisting of a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer, To find out more about how to get involved,
a secretary and ordinary committee members. These click here.
EU citizens can stand in the following Crowded church ordinary members include at least one, and often two,
elections: halls at election
time for the
parents from each class as ‘class reps’. Their job is to 4.4 Local branch/constituency
• pass on information from the PTA to other parents in
As a local Police Commissioner political
their child’s class.
political party
• As a candidate in the European Parliament ‘hustings’
You can be active in a political party without standing
PTA committees usually meet once a term and set up
• As a candidate in local elections in England, for elected office. Helping with governance is a
smaller working groups to organise individual events,
Wales and Northern Ireland. good way to give shape to the policies of the party.
such as fundraisers and socials.
These are the political parties which are currently
• Council elections in Scotland
represented in the House of Commons2.
• As a candidate at the Scottish Parliamentary 1
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/parent_teacher_association/
election 2
http://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/parties/
8 THE BIG EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ GUIDE ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC) PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 9
Conservative Party
You can search a list of unions and their contact 4.7 Foundation Hospitals and community events is to browse Eventbrite, and to
details put together by the Certification Officer, the NHS Trusts subscribe to newsletters of organisations you like the
Co-operative Party independent organisation responsible for the legal sound of.
regulation of unions.You can also use the Trades There are about 150 NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK.
Democratic Unionist Party These require members and non-executive boards who Other ways of getting involved online is to sign
Union Congress (TUC) interactive tool to help you e-petitions.You can sign an existing one, or start your
Green Party find a trade union in your workplace, or one which help guide policy of those agencies. Each Foundation
Trust has a Council of Governors.This is made up of own, on the government’s website. If a petition gets
covers your type of job. 10,000 signatures, the government will respond. Some
Labour Party elected Governors and appointed Governors.
Once you have joined a trade union, you trade union petitions may be debated in the House of Commons.You
Liberal Democrats rep will be able to explain more about your rights at Typically there is a staff constituency, a patient can also support others’ petitions on 38 Degrees, Avaaz,
work and the benefits that you receive, often including constituency, and a “public member” constituency change.org, Amnesty International, Hope Not Hate and
Plaid Cymru
reductions on services such as legal fees and travel consisting of members who are neither patients Greenpeace’s websites.
Scottish National Party insurance. The TUC has produced a guide to your nor staff but live in a defined geographical area. In
rights at work in the UK in 13 different languages. addition there are appointed Governors, appointed 5.2 Volunteering
Sinn Féin
by bodies with whom the trust works in partnership.
Social Democratic and Labour Party Appointments may be made by local Councils, local Local volunteer centres and specialist agencies like
4.6 COOP Movement medical Schools, and local Voluntary organisations. Volunteering Matters seek individuals to engage in a
UK Independence Party range of roles.This can be anything from supporting the
The Co-operative Governors are intended to act as a link between the
Ulster Unionist Party movement covers the community and the Board of Directors. isolated elderly to volunteer with environmental causes.
length and breadth of Age UK runs befriending services both in person and
4.5 Trade Unions
CHAPTER 5
the UK, with millions over the phone, which you can volunteer for. Or you
Joining a trade Union not only helps safeguard of members. They range can volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless
your rights at work but also gives you the chance from small start-ups shelter, support on literacy problems, help run Saturday
to participate in the activity of the union, decide on to multi-billion pound businesses. There are 6,000 schools and English classes for new migrants, support
policy, support your Union sponsored MP. others across the UK, including credit unions, Online activities and volunteering those with disabilities or those facing mental health
housing co-operatives and football supporters’ trusts. challenges. Find out if there is a community centre
Joining a trade union will give you access to valuable You can join the COOP movement by joining a co- where you live – they will often have a notice board
support if anything happens at work that you are operative where you live. To find what’s near you, use 5.1 Online with activities and ways of getting involved.
unhappy with or if you are involved in a grievance this directory link: https://www.uk.coop/directory. There are less formal ways of getting out there and Another way of supporting your community and doing
procedure.Your trade union will also be involved in into the local community. Some of it can take place
The COOP movement also has a political arm, your bit is to do Charity Fundraising, this could be
negotiating collective pay agreements and general online, such as membership of online groups.You will
which is called the Co-operative Party. The Co- anything from running marathons to setting up coffee
terms and conditions of employment with the find groups on various issues and along many interests
operative Party receives much of its funding from the mornings in the office. Some of the biggest fundraising
company where you work. and hobbies. Including groups on Facebook, discussion
Co-operative Group. Since 1927, the Party has had an events in the UK are Race for Life, by Cancer Research
The membership fee for joining a union may electoral agreement with Labour Party. In the current threads on Mumsnet, activities listed on Meet Up and UK, Christmas Jumper Day by Save the Children and
be fixed or it may vary with the amount you are parliament, there are 38 MPs who stand on a joint neighbourhood support on Next Door UK.There are Movember, a competition in the month of November
paid. Either way it is a worthwhile investment and Labour-Co-operative Party platform. also online dating websites such as Tinder, eHarmony to grow the most impressive moustache in the name of
insurance policy. and Match.com. A good way to find out about local men’s health.
10 THE BIG EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ GUIDE ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC) PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 11
THE BIG
EUROPEAN
CITIZENS’
ow
GUIDE
to get involved
on h
THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE
RIGHTS,EQUALITY AND CITZENSHIP (REC)
PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
You can also read
