Day 1:
Introduction to course & exploration
of the constitutional structure of British Politics. Questions to consider
include: Where does power lie within our current system? Is the monarchy still
relevant to British democracy? Are we living in an age of apathy?
From Brexit to Partygate: The years
between 2019 and 2022 saw British Politics encounter Brexit, a pandemic, and
crises in Downing Street. This session explores these and asks whether we have
learnt from them (or failed to do so).
Day 2:
Elections and Campaigns. Questions to
include: Is First-Past-the-Post relevant to modern, multi-party, politics? How
have the advent of social media and TV debates changed public engagement? What
effect has "referendum politics” had?
Parties I: The Conservatives. Questions
to include: Is Britain naturally Conservative? Are the Conservatives really
just the "English National Party”? Why did the Conservatives fall back in 2017
but take "Red Wall” seats in 2019? Who will the next Conservative leader be?
Day 3:
Parties II: Labour. Questions to
include: Does the Labour Party have a prolonged identity crisis? Is there a
route back to power for the party? Can Labour's "broad church” be kept
together? Who will the next Labour leader be?
Parties III: The "Others”. Questions to
include: Do we now have a multi-party system? Will Britain ever accept a more
coalition-based politics?
Day 4:
Foreign Policy. Questions to include:
Has Britain found a role post-Empire? Is the Special Relationship really
special at all? What are the big upcoming challenges?
The Prime Minister and Government.
Questions to include: Does personality now matter more than policy? Do we have
a prime minister or a quasi-president?
Day 5:
London and Levelling Up. Questions to
include: Are we too "London-centric”? Is the Northern Powerhouse really that
important? Can we confront the North-South divide in British Politics?
Round-up and Final Questions. Questions
to include: What are the greatest threats to Britain's democracy? What will be
the great reforms of this parliament? Who might win the next election?
Student
Equipment
Paper,
notepad, pens etc for note-taking (or electronic equivalent)
