凯西:

How does the political system work in your country?   

你们国家的政治体系是如何运作的?

杰克:

We have hundreds of constituencies and the votes in each one elect a member of parliament. Most people call them mp`s.   

我们有数百个选区，每个选区通过投票议会选举。很多人称此为“议员”。

凯西:

Each mp belongs to a political party, right?   

每个议员都属于一个政党是吧?

杰克:

Almost all of them do. A few are independent. That means that they do not belong to a party. If one party more than half of the mp`s. they form a government. That means that they choose a prime minister can cabinet members.   

绝大多数是，也有少数独立议员。这意味着他不属于任何一个政党。当一个政党的议员数过半时.他们就形成政府。也就是说，他们选出首相组织内阁。

凯西:

What`s a cabinet?   

什么是内阁?

杰克:

This is a small group of people-perhaps 25 mp`s who are usually ministers. They make all the big decisions and discuss laws and policies.   

是由大概25名议员组成的一个小组.这些议员通常是部长们.他们做出所有重大决策，讨论法律和政策方针。

凯西:

Can any mp make a law?   

任何一个议员都能制定法律吗?

杰克:

Any mp can present a law to parliament. The proposed law is debated and voted on. If it is accepted, it becomes law.   

任何议员可以向国会提出一项法律。被提议的法律需要通过辩论和投票。如果被接受，那么就可以成为法律。

凯西:

I suppose a proposed a law needs the support of the big political parties.   

我认为一项被提议的法律需要政治大党的支持。

杰克:

Yes, it does, because they have most of the mp`s. most mp`s vote the way their party wants them to.   

是的。确实是这样。因为政治大党拥有大多数的议员.大多数的议员按照自己政党的意愿进行投票。

凯西:

How do people choose which party or candidate to vote for?   

人们是如何选择应该投票给哪个政党?

杰克:

They produce manifesto. These documents which states their policies. Some people just vote for the same party every time there is an election. Votes who often change the party they vote for are called floating voters.   

他们发表声明。这些文件体现他们的政策方针。在选举过程中.一些人每次就是投票给相同的政党.经常改换投票政党的选民被称为“流动选民”。