1. Overview of course
Thursday, 27 August 2020
14:44
Readings and Resources
Chapter 1 in Griffiths, S. and Leach, R. (2018) British Politics, third edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Notes:
Events in the last 12 months impacting British Politics-
2019:
Trying to get Brexit deal
Brexit
Protests from leavers and Remainers
Showed importance of house of commons
Conservative party won significant majority in General Election
2020:
Started off predicting 'return to political norm'
Traditional single party majority gov
UK formally left EU and entered transition period
Corona virus hit China; capacity of state to build hospital in 10 days
Corona virus hit Britain; lockdown, impact on individual liberties,
relationship between politics and science
Shifted tension to UK and politics in way not seen in decades
How important is Boris Johnstone and other cabinet ministers or political
advisors ?
Is British politics being driven by elected officials or is hidden power
wielded by unelected advisors and others ?
Powers of Devolved governments over health have shaped response to
pandemic
Demonstrates importance of devolution in British politics
Pandemic changed everyday behaviour
How were decisions made and how effective is politics in pandemic ?
British politics now operating in virtual capacity; accountability + official
opposition (Labour, Sir Kier Starmer)
Role of opposition
Ideological divisions; party systems
New attention placed on inequalities in life and how politics has impacted
society
Loneliness + isolation; strain on relationships and mental health
Role of gender and economics inequality
Black lives matter movement
Toppling of statues in Bristol
Discussion of racism and diversity
Questions about legacy of British empire
Covid led to questions about economy
Shops running out of stock
Eat out to help out; state spending
Vaccines now available and being administered
Debates about who should get vaccinated and when, inequalities
Thursday, 27 August 2020
14:44
Readings and Resources
Chapter 1 in Griffiths, S. and Leach, R. (2018) British Politics, third edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Notes:
Events in the last 12 months impacting British Politics-
2019:
Trying to get Brexit deal
Brexit
Protests from leavers and Remainers
Showed importance of house of commons
Conservative party won significant majority in General Election
2020:
Started off predicting 'return to political norm'
Traditional single party majority gov
UK formally left EU and entered transition period
Corona virus hit China; capacity of state to build hospital in 10 days
Corona virus hit Britain; lockdown, impact on individual liberties,
relationship between politics and science
Shifted tension to UK and politics in way not seen in decades
How important is Boris Johnstone and other cabinet ministers or political
advisors ?
Is British politics being driven by elected officials or is hidden power
wielded by unelected advisors and others ?
Powers of Devolved governments over health have shaped response to
pandemic
Demonstrates importance of devolution in British politics
Pandemic changed everyday behaviour
How were decisions made and how effective is politics in pandemic ?
British politics now operating in virtual capacity; accountability + official
opposition (Labour, Sir Kier Starmer)
Role of opposition
Ideological divisions; party systems
New attention placed on inequalities in life and how politics has impacted
society
Loneliness + isolation; strain on relationships and mental health
Role of gender and economics inequality
Black lives matter movement
Toppling of statues in Bristol
Discussion of racism and diversity
Questions about legacy of British empire
Covid led to questions about economy
Shops running out of stock
Eat out to help out; state spending
Vaccines now available and being administered
Debates about who should get vaccinated and when, inequalities
