If I could make a law . . .

To encourage reflection on the democratic process in general and making laws in particular.

by Gordon Lamont

Suitable for Key Stage 3/4

Aims

To encourage reflection on the democratic process in general and making laws in particular.

Preparation and materials

• Browse the short films made by young people at the following address: www.makewav.es/story/485967/title/lightscameraparliament2013winners
• Choose a film that you think will be of interest to your students and ensure you have the equipment to show it to them during the assembly. None is more than three minutes long.
• Note that the details for the competition – ‘Lights, Camera, Parliament!’ – can be found at www.parliament.uk/education/in-your-school/lights-camera-parliament
• and this is where details of future competitions will be posted.

Assembly

1. Show the film you have chosen and ask the students the following questions. Ask them to put up their hands in answer to each question.
   – Who agrees that this would be a good law for Parliament to enact?
   – Who thinks that it would not be a good law?
2. Ask for comments on the suggested law – do the students see any potential problems with it, for example or could it be improved in any way?
3. Explain that the films were produced as entries for an annual competition run by Parliament and the Makewaves organization. The competition gives young people the opportunity to tell Parliament about a law they would make in a three-minute film. Suggest that the students might like to start thinking about a law they would like to make and consider making a short film to explain it.

Time for reflection

Ask the students what goes into making a good law?
A good law should be clear, easy to understand and address an issue – something that needs to be changed for the better.
It should be fair to all citizens, not just suit the needs of one particular group.
Note that a good law is hard to create!
Ask the students, ‘If you could make one law, what would it be?’

Music

Play some music that your students will enjoy as they leave.