It can be difficult working out exactly what parties stand for. They tend to put all their ideas in their Manifestos - their policy promises. This is a Superb BBC guide to all the parties in the UK General election and what their views are on particular issues. This may be useful for any young new voters.
This is a great BBC guide to the key words that are used during an election. From Constituency to Coalition this is essential
Today, the Conservative MP Phillip Lee 'Crossed the Floor' a dramatic and theatrical demonstration of a change of loyalty. In his case he moved to become a Liberal Democrat. Crossing the Floor means that you literally change parties and 'cross the floor' of the House of Commons to demonstrate this. It is reasonably rare but in times of political crises such as at present it is another sign of the heightened stakes and tensions at Westminster.
It is also doubly significant because it removes the Governments working majority. The short answer is YES! There are a lot of areas that are very applicable to the exams:
Brexit continues to ravage through British politics in the run up to the supposed Brexit date and one of the biggest recent stories is the emergence of the new 'independent group of MP's. These MP's are entirely disillusioned by their parties stances - mostly on Brexit. Most of them are Labour MP's who are fed up with Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Some are deeply opposed to his alleged reluctance to deal with anti Semitism in the party. In political terms it means that it is another clear sign that the traditional party allegiances and broad church parties are being deeply divided by Brexit in a way no other issue has ever divided them. This perhaps mirrors the country as a whole
It is quite a seismic shift in UK Politics which tends to be very party controlled - this small (and growing group) have also become the 4th largest 'party' in the UK. In a Parliament in which government teeters on a knife edge of support that is quite significant. HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO A LEVEL POLITICS STUDENTS? This is a very good example of party discipline being undermined ; The powers of MP's / backbenchers; The change of party control in the Commons ; The limitations to the power of the whip. This useful article explores how the DUP and Tory alliance has been put under strain by BREXIT talks
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AuthorMr John Wishart - |