This plain English guide focuses on political terms as part of NALA’s ongoing campaign on literacy and political participation. Literacy difficulties can be a barrier to accessing, understanding and using information. As a result, adults with literacy difficulties may be excluded from:

• – voting in elections and referendums;
• – getting involved in political parties or local lobby groups; and
• – understanding government and how it works for them.

This guide aims to help the public become more familiar with some of the most common political terms. We also hope it will remove some of the barriers that may currently prevent people from getting involved in political activity – whether that means voting, lobbying their local representative or joining a political party.