I am replacing a switch for a table top appliance which has 4 internal contact points.  Here in the U.S. switches conventionally have 2.  I think the switch to be replaced is from a Commonwealth country.  Am I correct in assuming that conventional British wiring of switches for table top lamps  and the like have 4 contact points?  (I've already spliced the wire and for reasons I won't go into prefer not to replace it and start over with wire and switches available to me here in the U.S.)

I'm ready to order a switch from the UK but am uncertain whether the inside will reveal 2 or 4 contact points.  Can someone shed light on this matter, so to speak?

This is very useful and much appreciated.  In the U.S. we actually run part of the cord intact through the switch while the other part is cut and connected to contact points.  From what you loaded, it appears that that is not how it is done in the U.K.  Am I right?

Again, thank you very much for your timely, helpful response.  I come up at these problems pretty much self taught and I'm not a very good teacher.  Found what I needed and have made the order.