Summary: Account of the British political system and of the general election of 1959, focusing on the local campaign in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Description: After scenes of the State Opening of Parliament and House of Lords, focus falls on the directly-elected House of Commons; the public pay attention to the actions of its members through the media. After general election is called, local party committees of all parties select a "man or woman of integrity" as candidate (offices of Labour, Liberal and Conservative Parties in St Albans are shown, as are the national HQs in London). Independent candidates do "useful work highlighting minority issues". Each party also has an annual national conference to decide policies. Committee rooms are set up and publicity organised. Election addresses are posted to all local households, and the three St Albans candidates - Goodhew (Con), Newton Jones (Lib) and Carroll (Lab) - are seen campaigning in housing estates, in the market place, outside factory. Various local voters (factory worker Ted Robinson, housewife Mary Cross, bank clerk Bill Duncan) are shown taking an interest. Polling day is shown in some detail, from the sealing of the ballot box to the count at the town hall: the returning officer is seen (but not heard) giving the result. Crowds in St Albans and Trafalgar Square cheer. The voters go back to work and parliament reconvenes. "The parliament of Britain is chosen by the people of Britain, it must respect the people of Britain, and in the end answer to its actions."
