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Lesson Starter

Explore the purpose of political parties in Scotland, their campaign methods, and why certain strategies are more effective. Learn about canvassing, leafleting, posters, public meetings, and manifesto publishing in detail.

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Lesson Starter

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  1. Lesson Starter Political Parties serve an important purpose in Scotland What do you think is the purpose of political parties in Scotland? Explain your answer in detail.

  2. Today we will… • List the ways that political parties can campaign • Practice an exam question

  3. Success Criteria • I can identify different ways that parties can campaign • I can write a detailed answer to a National 4/5 Knowledge question.

  4. Political Parties and Campaigning • Political parties are organisations which seek to gain political power • Members of the same political party share common goals and views • For example, SNP members agree that Scotland should be independent and Green Party members believe in protecting the environment

  5. Political Parties and Campaigning • A possible exam question is about how political parties CAMPAIGN • You have to be able to identify different ways that parties campaign in order to win support and be successful during Scottish Parliament elections • You also have to be able to explain why some methods are more effective than others

  6. Political Parties and Campaigning • Create a spider diagram • In the middle write – How political parties campaign • Using the information on the following slides, add the various ways that parties can campaign • Ensure you take enough information down to be able to complete detailed knowledge questions

  7. Canvassing • This involves going door-to-door to speak to potential voters • This might be successful as parties might be able to convince voters as to why they should vote for them • The SNP, Labour, the Conservatives and all other parties in Scotland have volunteers whose job it is to speak to potential voters and encourage them to vote for their party

  8. Canvassing • Can be successful as some voters appreciate the “personal touch” of someone taking the time to speak to them • However, could be unsuccessful because people can be frustrated by being disturbed at home – maybe they’d rather just watch the news or look up party policies online! • Around election time all parties will be canvassing so this might lead to voters becoming frustrated

  9. Leafleting • This involves parties posting leaflets to potential voters • These leaflets might outline the policies of a party and/or the views of a party’s candidate for a particular area • For example, a Conservative Party leaflet might convince people to vote Conservative for the SP election and appeal to anti-independence voters

  10. Leafleting • This can be a useful method as voters don’t have to make much of an effort • Leaflets might help convince undecided voters • Leaflets give useful political information in a colourful and easy to read format • However, as with canvassing this method might lead to annoying potential voters as they are being bombarded with leaflets! Also a potentially expensive method – it costs money to produce leaflets – maybe using social media is more cost-effective?

  11. Posters • Parties can also campaign by putting up posters, including billboard posters • These can be seen by thousands of people on their way to work • Useful way to catch someone’s attention with a clever slogan

  12. Posters • However, can be an expensive method as posters and using billboards costs money

  13. Holding a public meeting/rally • Political parties often hold rallies and meetings before elections to drum up support • These can be effective as party leaders can address large crowds and convince voters to vote for them • However, it could be argued that people that attend rallies are already going to vote for that party so it doesn’t help convince undecided voters! • Although a large rally could attract media attention which might lead to people at home seeing support for a party and being convinced to support them also

  14. Holding a public meeting/rally • Party leaders like Patrick Harvie of the Greens (pictured) might be able to convince voters by addressing large crowds • Getting celebrity support for a party can also help to convince voters • For example, Sean Connery (former James Bond actor) is a supporter of the SNP

  15. Publishing a Manifesto • A manifesto is a list of policies that a party has • Essentially, a manifesto outlines what a party will do if they are elected • Launching a manifesto which appeals to many voters is an effective way of campaigning and will potentially help to gain a party support

  16. Publishing a Manifesto • A key part of the Scottish Conservatives’ manifesto is defending the union (i.e. anti-independence) • Therefore, publishing a manifesto showing this might gain them support from anti-independence voters • Labour favour higher public spending on things like the NHS – therefore including this in their manifesto might help gain support for them

  17. The Scottish Green Party published its Holyrood manifesto in 2016 and it is available on their website – see images below outfling issues they feel strongly about – e.g. peace, anti-fracking, pro same-sex marriage etc.

  18. Publishing a Manifesto • Equally though, a manifesto might put some voters off voting for a party • For example, pro-independence voters in Scotland would likely not vote for the Conservatives, Labour or the Liberal Democrats as they are all anti-independence

  19. Use of the media, including social media • The media is a hugely important way for parties to campaign • Parties can use radio, television or newspapers to broadcast their views and garner support • For example, politicians often use TV or radio air time to get across key policies or to attack opposing parties

  20. Use of the media, including social media • Social media is hugely influential and all major parties employ people to get their message across on social media • This is particularly effective at reaching out to YOUNG VOTERS • Politicians and party members post comments constantly around election time to try to convince undecided voters

  21. Knowledge Question • Attempt the following knowledge question in your jotter. See next slide for examples of 1, 2 and 3 mark responses. • Describe, in detail, how political parties can campaign during Scottish Parliament elections. 8 marks

  22. Was I successful? • Can I identify different ways that parties can campaign? • Did I write a detailed answer to a National 5 Knowledge question?

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