I'm catching up on some Politics blogging, so here are my notes from sessions 2 and 3.
Session 2 - introduction and other stuff
Recap of Local govt.
The 3 levels of local government are: County Council, District/City Council and Parish Council. The county and city councils in an area have no power over one another, they are on par. They are sometimes called a Unitary Authority (esp. in smaller cities).
National Politics (in the context of journalism)
John Wilkes was a 'hero journalist'. He had a colourful life and was an MP as well as the Mayor of London at one point. He wrote a paper called The North Briton in which he attacked Lord Brute and King George III. His work went a long way to enabling journalists to have free speech, he did this by reporting the events of Parliament and used the protection of the city.
From this, the idea of 'Fair Comment' was developed. This allows journalists to write pretty much what the like as long as it is their honest opinion, however writing about their personal life isn't allowed to be published and journalists get into serious bother and a telling off from Sir Cameron if they do.
Westminster
The rules of privilege mean that you can report anything said in the House. Just don't talk about the Royal family though, the Queen might just have you beheaded if you do write 'bad stuff' about them.
House of Lords
All new laws have to be approved by both Houses of Parliament (except for tax raising measures, these are decided by MPs alone).
How are laws made?
A law starts off as a 'green paper' (this is an idea/proposal also called a bill) and then becomes a 'white paper' if it turns into a law. Below are the steps needed to make a green paper turn white:
First reading - an official notice that a bill is going to be proposed.
Second reading - the principles are considered.
Committee stage - groups of MPs discuss the bill and its individual parts.
Report stage
Third reading - the bill is debated (usually at great length!)
House of Lords - the bill is then passed onto the HoL.
Consideration of amendments
Royal assent - Queenie signs it off.
Session 3 - focusing on party politics since the 19th century.
19th century
Rotten Boroughs
Areas like Manchester and Liverpool were known as 'Rotten Boroughs' and became industrial centres with huge population changes.
Reform Act 1832
A shift of representation towards the towns and the north, instead of the country being completely London-centric. The Corn Laws were repealed and the rivalry between Conservative vs. Liberal parties developed with Robert Peel and William Gladstone.
After World War 1
Socialism and the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s. There was a resurgence of Conservative politics in the depression years.
After WW2
In 1945, there was the first proper Labour government after Churchill surprisingly lost the election. Many social reforms wereut in place e.g. NHS and Trade Union rights). The British Empire was dismantled and India got independence.
1970s
The General Strike was a disaster for Labour (also known as the 'Winter of Discontent')
1980s
Margaret Thatcher came into power in 1979, there was a 'big bang' in world markets and Maggie sold off regulations imposed by Labour. The 'Square Mile' became a very rich place and the housing market boomed and rose by 30% at one point and a broom cupboard in West London was sold for more than £30,000. There was also a rise in class warfare and a clash between the left and right.
John Major and Tory 'sleeze time'
This time was a boom-time for tabloid newspapers. Jonathan Aitken was a Tory MP who wanted to use a 'sword of truth' to get rid of 'bent and twisted journalism'. He was convicted of perjury in 1999.
The rise of 'New Labour'
When Tony Blair came into power, he wanted to get rid of the notion that Labour were a socialist party and the name created visions of the 'Winter of Discontent'.
TB 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment