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JN302 BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

JN302 BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. NCTJ Public Affairs Central Govt: Joy Johnson Local Govt: Paul Francis pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk,. OVERVIEW OF TODAY. Aims/rationale of course Topics to be covered Course logistics. COURSE RATIONALE.

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JN302 BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

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  1. JN302 BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS NCTJ Public Affairs Central Govt: Joy Johnson Local Govt: Paul Francis pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk,

  2. OVERVIEW OF TODAY • Aims/rationale of course • Topics to be covered • Course logistics

  3. COURSE RATIONALE • Introduction to key topics/issues in contemporary British politics • Who holds political power? • Controlling power - How far is power responsive and accountable to citizens • Controlling the money • Frontline services

  4. Essential Public Affairs • Why cover Public Affairs – relevance to journalists? • Practical application • Knowledge and context

  5. Political context • No one party won overall majority/hung Parliament • Coalition Conservatives/Liberal Democrats • Labour official opposition • Controlling the deficit the agreement’s priority • Crisis in the euro-zone • Referendum for Scottish independence or Devo max

  6. Economic context • Deficit reduction • Cuts • Tax increases • Lack of Growth • Fiscal stimulus

  7. Constitutional reforms • Scotland referendum - Independence/devo max or status quo? • Fixed term Parliaments now an Act • Reduction in the number of MPs • Boundary changes • European Act (referendum on any treaty changes)

  8. Scottish referendum • Unites the 3 main parties in the UK against the SNP • http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/video/2012/jan/11/scottish-independence-cameron-miliband-pmqs-video

  9. Coalition government • Coalition agreement its programme for government

  10. POLITICAL POWER IN A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY EUROPEAN UNION EXECUTIVE (PRIME MINISTER/CABINET) Representatives ACCOUNTABILITY REPRESENTATIVE (MP OR PARTY) VOTER

  11. Separation of power in the UKchecks and balances • The executive (the government) • The legislature (Parliament) • The judiciary (the courts) • But there is overlap in the UK

  12. Rule of Law • The state must act within the law and the law must be enforced equally on all. • Anti terrorism laws and kettling of demonstrators appear to run counter to this doctrine. • MPs sent to prison over expenses – no one above the law

  13. CHALLENGE TO POLITICAL AUTHORITY Citizen disengagement • Declining electoral turnout; falling levels of political trust; ‘protest’ participation. Weakening (?) role of political institutions • Electoral system gives power on 35% of vote; Declining membership of political parties; Parliament widely held to be ineffective. Challenge to government • Fragmentation of power: devolution/EU • Non-elected actors: judges

  14. KEY QUESTIONS • Nature and location of political power: How far has power moved away from (central) governments? • What does this mean for power responsive and accountable? • To what extent does (representative) political authority retain the support and engagement of citizens?

  15. Political context

  16. What a difference six months makes

  17. Cameron and Clegg • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcXrMTMRCL8&NR=1 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlDJ6pqdBfw • http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/video/2011/dec/12/nick-clegg-andrew-marr-bulldog-mid-atlantic-euro-video

  18. Spring TermMonday Lectures 2-3Tues seminar 2-3Wed Seminar 11-12 and 12-1 Thursday NCTJ Class 2-3 Summer term revision classes Monday and Thursday

  19. Reading • Text books • NCTJ – Essential Public Affairs for Journalists, Morrison • Coalition Agreement • Library resources • recommended • David Laws, 22 Days in May • Kavanagh & Cowley, British General election 2010 • Steve Richards, Whatever it Takes

  20. ASSESSMENT • University Exam: 50% • Coursework: 50% - One essay of 2,000 words NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS - June exam 2 papers – Central and Local Government

  21. Next week Political System Reading Parliamentary Democracy in the UK - Morrison

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