Media Monday - A Level Politics Teaching Idea
At the start of the Year 12 Politics course I start to introduce a weekly “week in politics” style lesson.
Three junior members of Keir Starmer's shadow front bench sacked for voting against the Overseas Operations Bill
Three Labour MPs were "stood down" from their front bench roles this week, as explained in this article. There's a degree of confusion and misinformation about events online so here's a quick...
Will there be a peaceful transfer of power after the US presidential elections?
Donald Trump appeared to refuse to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, should he be unsuccessful in the presidential elections later this year. He also went on to suggest that the Supreme Court...
Do we have prime ministerial or cabinet government? The case of Boris Johnson
The power a PM can wield, or the capacity to act in a presidential manner, is one which fluctuates. This ebb and flow is visible not only between premiers but within premierships.
Would the Overseas Operations Bill be incompatible with the Human Rights Act and ECHR?
In this article in the Guardian, former Shadow Attorney-General and Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti argues that the proposed legislation - designed to protect military personnel from "vexatious"...
A Week is a Long Time in Politics - UK Politics quiz 21 September 2020
Here's this week's UK politics news quiz. Good Luck!
Is there sufficient parliamentary scrutiny of the government's Covid strategy?
Some Conservative backbenchers, including Sir Graham Brady as discussed in this BBC News article, are concerned that the government is "ruling by decree" when it comes to Covid, announcing new...
WTO: the USA's trade war with China breached international rules. What next?
The World Trade Organisation has concluded that tariffs imposed by the US on China were against its rules. This video considers this ruling and the different possible outcomes depending on whether...
As online party conference season is about to get underway in the UK: what role do conferences play today?
It is hard to imagine much excitement and drama at virtual party conferences this Autumn. But has there been very much in the real events in recent years?
Political Partisanship in the USA and COVID-19
Attitudes to COVID-19 in the USA are significantly shaped by political partisanship. Republicans respond to COVID differently from Democrats. This video explores this phenomenon in detail and what...
Boris Johnson's Internal Market Bill passes at Second Reading with comfortable majority
Some were expecting a significant backbench rebellion on the Internal Market Bill after ministers admitted that it broke international law. In the end only 3 Conservative MPs voted against the bill...
A Week Is A Long Time In Politics - Weekly UK Politics Quiz 14 Sep 2020
It's back! Our weekly UK politics quiz is here!
Politics students should be keeping a careful eye on the real world news stories that back up what is taught in class so why not have a go at our...
Why are there so many swing states in the 2020 US presidential election?
In this CNN video, there is a detailed consideration of why, so close to the elections, there are still up-to-15 swing states.
Will there be a second referendum for Scottish Independence?
After the first referendum, many people thought the issue was settled for a generation. However, Brexit and SNP dominance in Scotland makes one ever more likely. Would the result be different?...
Breaking the Law (A Little Bit)? Brandon Lewis and Northern Ireland Trading
Watch Brandon Lewis answer a question about whether the government is breaking international law in its new Internal Market Bill. Lewis replies that it is, but only in a limited way and a way for...
The Republicans Who Want Trump to Lose
Donald Trump is a divisive figure as POTUS, even in his own party. This long read is an interview with a high-profile African-American Republican, campaigning against Trump.
Are China and the US preparing for War in Space?
Highly relevant to Global Politics and questions of global power, polarity and comparative theories, this video explores the actions of the US and China (as well as Russia) in relation to space...
Knock Down The House
This is a superb documentary for students of US Politics - it is a gripping and hugely interesting insight into congressional primaries.
A Week is a Long Time in Politics 15 July 2020
Here's the last weekly UK politics quiz of this tumultous academic year. Good luck!
A Week Is A Long Time - UK Politics Quiz 8 July 2020
Here's this week's news quiz for UK politics. Good luck!