Friday focus

As chance would have it, all my A level groups are doing a mock today and our weekly Friday focus sessions will not take place. But I thought I’d share a couple of articles that would make excellent discussion pieces on two of the most popular Politics topics.

First up is an excellent feature on the impact Peter Mandelson has had on Gordon Brown’s premiership. Students will be familiar about the debate on PM power and that it is more or less common knowledge that the PM is more intimate with some Ministers than others. Scholars have variously referred to this phenomenon as a kitchen Cabinet, or spheres of influence. The article in today’s Independent suggests that Peter Mandelson has penetrated Gordon Brown’s inner circle and he carries as much weight as either Alistair Darling or Ed Balls. Interesting

Over in the Economist there is great piece on Barack Obama and race relations. Racial inequality and the debate over measures used to try to overcome it always stimulate student interest. The key thing is to develop an intelligent appreciation of arguments on both sides. I think this article will help students in this respect.