Unit 2 & 4: Human Rights Act

Click here to access an article on the controversial HRA.

Unit 2: Constitutional Reform - Nick Clegg Video

As part of our lessons on the Constitution we will be looking at the Liberal Democrats view. This video helps explain... Below is an article which highlights the main areas of constitutional reform that the coalition are proposing.

Unit 4: Treaty of Amsterdam & Lisbon

Excellent, simple to understand clips on the last two treaties of the EU.

Treaty of Amsterdam


Treaty of Nice Treaty of Lisbon Part 1 Treaty of Lisbon Part 2 Treaty of Lisbon Part 3

Unit 3: UKIP - The Party of Law & Order?

Click here to view article where Mr Farage discusses his views on gun control in the UK and the fact his party's 2010 manifesto was 'Drivel'! Awesome.

Unit 2 & 4: The EU, referendums, parliament & the Lords

The Conservatives have suffered a setback in their attempts to legislate for an "in-out" EU referendum in 2017.

A bill authorising a vote was approved by MPs earlier this month but there are doubts whether it will make it through the Lords before the end of the current session in April to become law.

The article on the BBC website highlights the power the Lords have when it comes to scrutnising bills. Click here for article.

Unit 2: Constitution Questions

For those of you not on MUN, we will be answering this question in class. The rest of you MUST answer this and hand in on your return!

How would you describe the UK constitution?

Where do they say that some parts of the Constitution are written?

What does the term Parliamentary Sovereignty mean?

Name 4 major developments affecting Parliamentary sovereignty.

Unit 2: UK Constitution presentations

More to follow - Remember to search the blog as there are other presentation on the constitution which can help.

1. The Constitution from mattbentley34

2. Sources of the Constitution from mattbentley34

3. Codified & Uncodified Constitutions from mattbentley34

4. underlying principles of the uk constitution ppt from mattbentley34

5. Constitution and Government from mattbentley34

6. Constitution and Government 2 from mattbentley34

7. constitution and government 3 from mattbentley34

8. strengths of a uk constitution from mattbentley34

Unit 4: Institutions - Federalism, supranational & intergovernmentalism

The next lesson/s will focus on how decision making is made in the EU and the issues there are with them.....

Presentation 1 - on Federalism & Intergovernmentalism

Presentation 2 - on Supranational institutions

Presentation 3 - on intergovernmental institutions

Unit 4: European Parliament - Issues Presentation

European parliament issues from mattbentley34

Unit 2, 3 & 4: Scotland in figures

A useful article which breaks down economic data into sections. Interesting reading and helpful when talking about devolution and whether Scotland might be better off outside of the UK.

Action: Take a look at the data and comment on whether you think Scottish people should vote for Independence.

UKIP discuss the real issues of the day!

I would like to see you justify this Mr Jowitt :-)

Unit 2: Egypt & a new constitution

18 January 2014 Last updated at 20:36 GMT

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Egypt referendum: '98% back new constitution'

The BBC's James Reynolds in Cairo: ''That figure of 98.1% cent is entirely unsurprising for the yes vote''

A proposed new Egyptian constitution has been backed by 98.1% of people who voted in a referendum, officials say.

Turnout was 38.6% of the 53 million eligible voters, the election committee said.

The draft constitution replaces one introduced by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi before he was ousted.

The referendum is being seen as a vote on the legitimacy of his removal and of the army, which toppled him in July last year.

The vote, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday but was boycotted by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement from which Mr Morsi comes and which wants to see him returned to office.

Several people died in violence involving Mr Morsi's supporters on the first day of voting.

There were further clashes with the security forces on Friday in which four people died, the Health Ministry said.

Huge security operation

Election Commission head Nabil Salib called the vote an "unrivalled success" with "unprecedented turnout", AP news agency reported.

Supporters of the constitution celebrate in Tahrir Square, Cairo

Later on Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Egypt "to fully implement those rights and freedoms that are guaranteed in the new constitution".

He said in a statement: "Egypt's turbulent experiment in participatory democracy the last three years has reminded us all that it's not one vote that determines a democracy, it's all the steps that follow."

He added: "The interim government has committed repeatedly to a transition process that expands democratic rights and leads to a civilian-led, inclusive government through free and fair elections. Now is the time to make that commitment a reality."

A constitutional referendum held in 2012 while Mohammed Morsi was in power but boycotted by secularists saw a turnout of 33%, with 64% of voters approving the document.

The new proposed constitution was drafted by a 50-member committee that included only two representatives of Islamist parties.

Critics say the document favours the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the 2011 revolution that led to the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Under the draft:

• The president may serve two four-year terms and can be impeached by parliament

• Islam remains the state religion - but freedom of belief is absolute, giving some protection to minorities

• The state guarantees "equality between men and women"

• Parties may not be formed based on "religion, race, gender or geography"

• Military to appoint defence minister for next eight years

A huge security operation was in evidence throughout the two days of voting, with some 160,000 soldiers and more than 200,000 policemen deployed nationwide.

Unit 4: EU Past Questions on the institutions

Past 15 Markers on the institutions

Jan 08 - To what extent is the EU a supranational body? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 08 - Assess the importance of the role of the Council of Ministers. (Old Syllabus)

Jun 08 - To what extent has the European Court of Justice become a more important body since
1992? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 09 - Why has the European Parliament become a more significant body since 1992?

Jan 10 - Why did the Reform Treaty (Lisbon Treaty) create controversy in the UK? (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - How important are EU Heads of Government (European Council) meetings? (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - How much influence does the European Parliament have in EU policy-making?

Jan 13 - How significant is the Council of the EU (Council of Ministers)?

Jun 10 - Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the European Court of Justice.

Jun 12 - How significant is the post of European President?

Jun 12 - To what extent is the European Commission accountable?

Jun 13 - Explain the role and significance of the European Court of Justice.

Past 45 Markers on the institutions

Jun 08 - To what extent does the EU still suffer from a ‘democratic deficit’? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 09 - Assess the importance of the European Commission as a decision-making body in the
EU. (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - ‘The European Parliament is now a more effective and influential body than it was in
1992.’ Discuss. (Old Syllabus)

Jan 13 - To what extent is the EU an example of supranational governance?

Jun 11 - ‘The Council of Ministers is the most powerful decision-making body within the EU.’
Discuss.

Jun 12 - The goal of a Federal Europe has been achieved. Discuss

Jun 13 - ‘The European Commission is the major driving force within the EU.’ Discuss.

Unit 2 & 4: EU, the commission and Nick Clegg

It's amazing what you learn when you listen to 'BBC Radio 6 Music' (essential radio for anyone serious about music!).

Just been listening to the news and the power of the EU commission is being called into question by Conservative politicians. I have found two articles worth reading.

Useful for Units 2 & 4.

Conservatives call for Veto over EU Laws

Nick Clegg backs EU benefit changes

Unit 2 & 4: Constitution & EU Law (Factortame test case)

Although this is an old case. It sets a precedence for the UK and constitutional issues. It is the example that is always used in mark schemes on both Unit 2 Constitution questions and Unit 4 questions on the sovereignty issue regarding EU.

Thursday, October 28, 1999 Published at 03:18 GMT 04:18 UK 


UK Politics

Spanish fishermen net £100m compensation 

Spanish fishermen claimed for three years of losses 

Britain will have to pay compensation estimated at £100m to Spanish fishing companies unlawfully banned from operating British-registered vessels 10 years ago.

BBC News' David Shukman: "This could fuel passions over Europe"

In 1988 the Conservative government passed laws intended to stop Spanish fisherman increasing their take of fish by the ploy of using British fishing quotas.
The legislation was later found to have broken European law.
Euro-scepticism, already high over the beef impasse with France, was further inflamed when five law lords unanimously ruled on Thursday that the breach was sufficiently serious to entitle the fisherman to claim compensation.

Spanish fishermen bought up British boats

They said that although the government's intention was to protect British fishing communities, the effect was to discriminate against Spanish nationals, thereby flouting one of the most basic principles of European law.
The law lords said the government had deliberately decided to run the risk of introducing the legislation, knowing that it could be unlawful. Justice required that the wrong should be made good.

The amount which now could be claimed by the Spanish in individual court cases has been estimated at £80m - but interest and legal costs are expected to push the total bill to be picked up by the British taxpayer at over £100m.
Plymouth Fisheries manager Peter Bromley branded the decision a "sick joke.
"The feelings of the industry will be very strong and the government will continue to do absolutely nothing about it.
"As far as I am concerned the British industry is a valuable asset to this country, and it is not exploited to the extent it should be to the benefit of the British people or the British fishermen.
"This is just a sick joke played on an industry which is having to fight very hard for its survival.
"We seem to be kow-towing to Europe over everything at the moment."
The case was brought by Spanish company Factortame Ltd and almost 100 other Spanish fishing companies. They are claiming for losses while their ships were laid up over three years from 1988-1991.
Following the Icelandic cod war in the 1970s, Spanish fishing companies started buying UK-registered ships.
In 1988, the UK Government passed the Merchant Shipping Act, preventing the Spanish-owned ships from fishing against UK quotas, or "quota-hopping".
But three years later the European Court of Justice overturned the UK's legislation.
It also ruled member states must pay compensation where a breach of European law was deemed sufficiently serious.
After the ruling John Couceiro, director of Factortame, said: "I am delighted.

"Hopefully after our long battle we can now sort out the damages and put this all behind us."

Unit 2: Constitution and the Law - Homework for Monday

This will test who actually looks at the blog! I would like you to come up with another example of the 'De Jure' Vs 'De Facto' issue discussed below.

de facto means that something is in effect in reality without a law mandating it. (in practice)

de jure means it is specifically mandated by law. (in law)

Examples:

In American law, particularly after Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the difference between de facto segregation (segregation that existed because of the voluntary associations and neighborhoods) and de jure segregation (segregation that existed because of local laws that mandated the segregation), became important distinctions for court-mandated remedial purposes.

Please put your answers on this blog by replying to this post. The quicker you reply the less likley someone has already used your example!

(I don't want any repetition!)

Unit 3 & 4: Conservatives talk tough on crime

Once again the Conservatives are talking tough on crime. Cameron has said "life should mean life" as the government considers US-style 100-year prison sentences for murderers and serious offenders. 

However, the European Court of Human Rights has said such sentences are illegal.

Both points are interesting in that the Conservatives seem to be trying to push the boundaries regarding Europe yet again. Perhaps further proof they are coveting the UKIP vote.

Click here for the full article.