Just another Media Monday

Regular readers of the blog will be familiar with the ‘Media Monday’ sessions I conduct with my AS groups. Supplementing class work with wider reading is a key component of planning for success in Politics

But study of the subject is more than getting an A level, it is about laying the foundations of a long term interest in analysing the way we are governed. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have got into the habit of reading quality journalism by presenting a five point summary of a news story from the weekend’s press. Here I highlight a few of the key stories I have come across this weekend which may be useful in preparing for class discussion.

Most focus on the troubles facing Gordon Brown and these should prompt discussion about party policy and PM power.

Here a report in the Observer suggests that the internecine warfare within senior levels of the Labour government is damaging their chances of overhauling the Conservative’s lead in the opinion polls.

In the same paper, Andrew Rawnsley writes on how Labour are in a state of paralysis, unable to rally behind their leader, or muster up the courage to replace him

In the Sunday Times, Michael Portillo looks at the trouble being caused in the PM’s own backyard by the SNP

Over in The Economist there is more on Gordon Brown’s Scottish problem

And more doom and gloom for the government with something on the relationship between the economic situation and the popularity of the current government