Unit 4: Angela Merkel & EU Reform

Click here to read the BBC article on Angela Merkel's recent visit to Parliament. Cameron wants EU reform, specifically targeting 'Benefit Tourists', whilst Merkel agrees to some of this in principal, reform will be difficult.

Useful for questions on future direction of EU and UK party policy on this.

Unit 2: Select Committees handout & how Parliament works

Click on this link and read the interactive article on how Parliament works....really useful and links to all topics on Parliament, including select committees. This is the handout based on the lesson tomorrow (Wednesday 26th Feb 2014).

Public bill committees handout from mattbentley34

Unit 4: Excellent Eurozone video - a must watch!

Gains from international trade, the history of European economic integration, fiscal and monetary policy, the launch of the €uro and the 2008 financial crisis are all clearly animated and explained in this superb video. 

In just over 12 minutes it explains the problems of the €urozone and the threats and challenges it still faces. Definitely one to watch for the closing stages of an A2 macro course.

Hat tip to Isaac Duffy who spotted this Bloomberg video.

Thank you to Jacob for this article, which links to the possible solution above.

Unit 4: Barroso making a case against an independent Scotland

Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult'

Mr Barroso made his comments during an interview with Andrew Marr

Continue reading the main story

Scotland's Future

• Salmond hits back in currency row
• 'Yes' vote 'means leaving pound'
• 'No cross-party plan' on devolution
• The currency debate explained

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr he said an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.

Scotland's Finance Minister described his comments as "pretty preposterous".

John Swinney said Mr Barroso's view was based on a false comparison.

The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, with voters being asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

New state

In his interview with Andrew Marr, Mr Barroso said: "In case there is a new country, a new state, coming out of a current member state it will have to apply."

He said it was important that "accession to the European Union will have to be approved by all other member states of the European Union."

He went on: "Of course it will be extremely difficult to get the approval of all the other member states to have a new member coming from one member state."

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

Scotland has been a member of the EU for 40 years - we're already part of the European Union”

John SwinneyFinance Secretary

Mr Barroso cited the example of the Spanish not recognising Kosovo.

He said: "We have seen Spain has been opposing even the recognition of Kosovo, for instance. So it is to some extent a similar case because it's a new country and so I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, a new member state coming out of our countries getting the agreement of the others."

However, Mr Barroso made clear that it was up to the people of Scotland to decide their future, and he said he did not want to interfere in that process.

In its White Paper on independence, launched in November, the Scottish government said the country would look to gain membership through Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union.

It said such a move could be achieved within 18 months of a "Yes" vote.

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Mr Swinney said: "I think President Barroso's remarks are pretty preposterous.

"He's set out his position linking and comparing Scotland to the situation in Kosovo.

"Scotland has been a member of the EU for 40 years - we're already part of the European Union."

'Agreed process'

Mr Swinney said there was no indication any member state would veto Scotland's membership, including Spain where Catalan separatists are pushing for independence.

He added: "The Spanish Foreign Minister said if there is an agreed process within the United Kingdom by which Scotland becomes an independent country then Spain has nothing to say about the whole issue.

"That indicates to me quite clearly that the Spanish government will have no stance to take on the question of Scottish membership of the European Union."

Unit 2: Royal Prerogative & Veto on bills

Thanks to Luke who found this article on  just how much power the senior royals have in Parliament.

As he says, it shows that the royal family seem to have more influence and power than we normally assume?

Unit 1 & 4: UK Political parties and the EU

Thanks to Jacob for this article on why UKIP views on Europe could be a disaster for Britain. Europe has historically split both Labour and Tories for years. Lib Dems have always been the only true pro EU party.

Unit 2: The role of an MP

To be elected to the Commons, prospective MPs must first select a particular slice of the UK and woo its voters in an elaborate political courtship, involving hustings, pamphleteering, and the systematic rubbishing of rival suitors. Unlike other electoral systems, where voters choose candidates from a list and second choices matter, this particular race for votes is described as "first-past-the-post", meaning that the also-rans get nothing. Or even less: any candidate who fails to win more than 5% of the votes cast loses their £500 deposit. Job security? What job security? This process enables the populace to select the person they feel will best represent their views in Parliament - in theory, at least, propelling the candidate with the quickest wit or most persuasive rhetoric into a role where they may deploy these skills to good effect. Once elected, the job security is excellent - at least until the next election, when the MP will once more face the prospect of thwarting the advances of rivals and defending his or her record in office to voters. Fierce competition is understandable given the prize at stake: a chance to influence the law of the land and the administration of the country. Rising to the top The Commons is a hierarchical club, however, and the prospects to make the most of this opportunity are not evenly distributed. The fate of talented MPs determined to make a splash depends on several key factors: the status of their party within Parliament, their own status within the party, and their ability to convince colleagues of the virtue of their ideas. Backbenchers can: Demand answers from government ministers Join select committees Amend legislation Propose new bills Block government bills Highlight constituents' concerns Opposition party MPs may either interrogate the government from the backbenches or seek to attain promotion within their political parties in order to "shadow" particular ministers. Rising through the ranks in this way gives an opposition MP the opportunity to specialise in a particular policy brief and probe government policy on it in more depth. MPs from the main opposition parties who take on shadow ministerial positions are allowed to speak in the Commons from the front row of seats, hence the distinction drawn between "frontbenchers" and "backbenchers". The shadow system - in theory - enables an orderly transition of power in the event that fortunes shift at a general election. MPs from the political party that has won the most seats at the latest election make up the talent pool from which the government is extracted. The party leader becomes prime minister and distributes all other ministerial positions among party colleagues. If no one party has enough seats to win an overall majority - in other words more than the combined total of seats won by opposing parties - then the party will either form a "minority" government, or enter into acoalition , as happened following the 2010 general election. Party promotions entitle MPs to speak from the despatch box The most senior government ministers form a group called the cabinet; these men and women, led by the prime minister, collectively instigate the majority of legislation passed by the Commons. Ministers are also described as frontbenchers, since they occupy the front row of seats on their side of the House when they attend debates. But the government doesn't have complete control over either the principles or the precise wording of legislation produced by the Commons. When MPs disagree with proposed government bills, they can bid to change them by tabling amendments. They can also propose new legislation themselves by drafting private members' bills. More questions In addition to their role in the scrutiny of legislation, backbench MPs can raise their constituents' concerns with ministers at Parliamentary question sessions or by tabling written questions. They will also present petitions to Parliament on their constituents' behalf - whether or not they agree with the subject of the petition. MPs can propose subjects for debate in the Commons chamber at adjournment debates, so called because they take place at the end of the parliamentary day; or in the alternative debating chamber of Westminster Hall; or to the Backbench Business Committee, which is responsible for scheduling business on 35 days in the Commons and Westminster Hall. Backbenchers from any political party can also be chosen to serve on select committees - cross-party groups that undertake detailed scrutiny of particular aspects of the work of government. Select committees have the power to call expert witnesses to testify at their inquiries, and their reports carry a lot of clout.

Unit 2: Lesson Plan for role of MP's & the opposition

3. teacher notes mp's and hm opposition from mattbentley34

Read through the following article and answer the questions underneath:

BBC Article - The Role of an MP

What factors effect the success of an MP?
What can backbenchers who are in opposition do to influence policy?
Who instigates most of the legislation that goes through the commons?

Unit 4: Past questions on the Euro

See below for some past questions on the single currency.

Jun 08 (Old syllabus) - Explain why some have viewed the single European currency as a failure. (15 marks)

Jan 10 (old syllabus) - How far, and in what ways, has the European single currency been a success? (45 Marks)

Jan 10 - What have been the benefits of monetary union? (15 Marks)

Jun 11 - Predictions that the monetary union would fail have been misplaced. Discuss. (45 Marks)

Jun 13 - To what extent is the euro crisis a reflection of the deeper flaws of monetary union? (45 Marks)

Unit 1 & 2: Model essay answers

Dear all,

please follow this link (click here) which has several model answers to all Unit 1 & Unit 2 essays. To find the answers, click on the area you wish to look at (electoral systems, parliament etc) and scroll down to find past essays.

A really useful site to help you understand the type of language and length of essay required for a top grade.

Unit 4: EU Corruption

The extent of corruption in Europe is "breathtaking" and it costs the EU economy at least 120bn euros (£99bn) annually, the European Commission says. Click here to access full article from the BBC.

Unit 2: Blendspace on UK Constitution

Today's session will focus on two types of Unit 2 question, a case study and an essay. Work your way through the lesson material with the aim of answering the questions set. Natasha & Brendan, this is also a useful exercise for you to complete.

Unit 4: C.A.P. and the Maastricht Treaty

Another blendspace lesson for you to try...

Unit 4: EU Enlargement on Blendspace

Check out the student led lesson below...