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

2. 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 3

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

5. Political context No one party won overall majority Hung Parliament Negotiations for coalition agreement Compromises and agreement Mid term audit pledges kept promises broken Conservatives/Liberal Democrats Labour official opposition Controlling the deficit the agreement’s priority 5

6. Economic context Deficit reduction Welfare changes Cuts Tax increases Growth Double dip recession (triple?) 6

7. Constitutional reforms Fixed term Parliaments of 5 years There is still a mechanism for a vote of no confidence in the government (by a simple majority) and then fails within fourteen days to pass a motion of confidence in a new government. Complicated so probably wouldn’t happen. Or by a two thirds (unlikely) Vernon Bogdanor The Coalition and the Constitution 7

8. Constitutional reforms cont House of Lords reform blocked by the Tories : Clegg retaliated: Boundary changes – blocked (reduction in the number of MPs falls) Labour breathes a sigh of relief 8

9. Constitutional Reforms Pressure from Conservative backbenchers for a referendum on repatriating powers from the EU PM to make a speech promising a ‘new settlement for Britain in the EU’ Anti EU press particularly News International and Associated 9

10. Constitutional reform cont Michael Gove education secretary has made it known that he would vote to leave if there was a referendum today on whether the UK should cut its ties with Brussels - http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article- 2217355/Were-ready-walk-Europe-Prime-Ministers- closest-ally-Michael-Gove-sparks-EU-furore- dramatic-admission.html http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article- 2217355/Were-ready-walk-Europe-Prime-Ministers- closest-ally-Michael-Gove-sparks-EU-furore- dramatic-admission.html Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond supported him http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19941383 Heseltine and Mandelson join together to combat Euro sceptism 10

11. Constitutional Change cont Who do I ring when I want to talk to Europe? Senior official in Obama’s administration Philip Gordon said inn a Q and A: “We welcome an outward- looking European Union with Britain in it.” Response from Downing Street. “The US wants an outward looking EU. So do we”. 11

12. Devolution After a troubled path – 1979 Labour govt lost a referendum (didn’t reach the benchmark of 40%) fell after vote of no confidence. Democratic deficit particularly in Scotland New Labour introduced devolution to halt nationalism 1998 Anthony King The British Constitution, ch 8 12

13. Scottish independence Referendum in 2014 "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" The question will now be scrutinised by the Electoral Commission watchdog. Critics of the question say it encourages a "yes" vote by not mentioning an end to the Union. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland- politics-20256108http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland- politics-20256108 13

14. Coalition government Coalition agreement its programme for government 14

15. 15 POLITICAL POWER IN A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY VOTER REPRESENTATIVE (MP OR PARTY) EXECUTIVE (PRIME MINISTER/CABINET) EUROPEAN UNION Representatives ACCOUNTABILITY

16. Separation of power in the UK checks and balances The executive (the government) The legislature (Parliament) The judiciary (the courts) But there is overlap in the UK 16

17. Rule of Law The state must act within the law and the law must be enforced equally on all. MPs and Peers’ expenses 17

18. 18 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; Whipping in Parliament Challenge to government Fragmentation of power: devolution/EU

19. 19 KEY QUESTIONS Nature and location of political power: How far has power moved away from (central) governments? To what extent does (representative) political authority retain the support and engagement of citizens?

20. Political context 20

21. What a difference six months makes 21

22. Coalition partners – first the marriage then the Ronseal Deal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcXrMT MRCL8&NR=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcXrMT MRCL8&NR=1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics- 20928698http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics- 20928698 22

23. 23 1Introduction to module 2Nature of systemOverview of the British political system 3 LegislatureWorkings of Parliament, separation of powers 4Role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Civil Service From Prime Ministerial to Presidential? 5Mending a Broken system Does the electoral system for Westminster need reforming? Failed Referendum in May 2011 6TreasuryControlling the Money 7Fragmentation of authority Is the UK breaking up? 8EuropeIs the centre of British government London or Brussels? Pressures on referendum 9National Health Service What we have now and proposed reforms 10Audit of political system Is government in Britain representative and accountable? 12Q&A/ NCTJ preparation

24. Spring Term Monday Lectures 2-3 Wed Seminar 11-12 and 12-1 Thursday NCTJ Class 2-3 Summer term revision classes Monday and Thursday

25. Reading Text books NCTJ – Essential Public Affairs for Journalists, Morrison Coalition Agreement and mid term audit Library resources Recommended Vernon Bogdanor Coalition and the Constitution Anthony King, The British Constitution David Laws, 22 Days in May Kavanagh & Cowley, British General election 2010 Steve Richards, Whatever it Takes Andrew Rawnsley, End of the Party 25

26. 26 ASSESSMENT University Exam: 50% Coursework: 50% - One essay of 2,000 words NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS - June exam 2 papers – Central and Local Government

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