BBC Newsnight interview with the Shadow Chancellor

The John McDonnell Interview - Newsnight 28th September 2015

For A2 Politics: Neo Liberalism

Masters of money: Hayek

Time to panic, capitalism is failing

Make your mark - UK Youth Parliament vote

This Thursday all pupils will have the opportunity to take part in the Youth Parliament’s ‘Make Your Mark’ – the UK’s largest youth consultation.

You will be able to choose between 10 topics. Watch this short video to gain an understanding of the issues you can vote on.

Click here for more information about the Youth Parliament

Voting takes place around the quad during morning break & lunchtime Make sure you have your say about the issues that matter to you.

Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership campaign: behind the scenes exclusive

Owen Jones looks behind the scenes of the Jeremy Corbyn Labour leadership campaign. From barely making it on to the ballot paper, to Corbyn becoming the party's new leader with the biggest percentage in history.

'Donald Trump pummelled by Republican rivals in 2016 debate'

The weirdest moments of the Republican debate

Corbyn's first Prime Minister's Questions: 16 September 2015

PMQs: Cameron & Corbyn from 1 minute 20 seconds

Corbyn's new Shadow Cabinet

Shadow chancellor - John McDonnell

Shadow home secretary - Andy Burnham

Shadow foreign secretary - Hilary Benn

Shadow business secretary, & shadow first secretary of state - Angela Eagle

Chief whip - Rosie Winterton

Shadow health secretary - Heidi Alexander

Shadow justice secretary - Lord Falconer

Shadow leader of the Commons - Chris Bryant

Shadow international development secretary - Diane Abbott

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury - Seema Malhotra

Shadow Scottish secretary - Ian Murray

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary - Vernon Coaker

Yvette Cooper will chair Labour’s taskforce on refugees.

Michael Dugher is expected to become shadow culture secretary. There are also rumours about Owen Smith becoming shadow work and pensions secretary, and Gloria De Piero becoming shadow defence secretary.

More detail on these appointees can be found at this BBC link 

'A very British coup' - a radical left wing Labour leader becomes PM

The excellent Chris Mullin novel & TV drama ‘a very British coup.’ It is the story of Harry Perkins the radical left wing leader of the Labour party who becomes PM. This 1980's political thriller is well worth watching http://www.channel4.com/programmes/a-very-british-coup/on-demand/1867-001

U6 politics - Liberalism class work so far - 11th Sept 2015

L6 Politics: Constitution class work so far - 11th September 2015

  

Jeremy Corbyn's 99th rally ahead of Saturday's leadership result

Prime Minister's Questions: 9 September 2015

PMQ's - Cameron - Harriet Harman (from 1 minute 42 seconds)

Jeremy Corbyn: Labour's Earthquake

Panorama-Jeremy Corbyn: Labour's Earthquake

With behind-the-scenes access to Jeremy Corbyn, reporter John Ware reveals how, from nowhere, he came to dominate the Labour leadership election race.

Vote for the name of the new St John's politics magazine

Vote for the name for our new politics magazine by adding one of the choices into the comments box below using your politics nom de plume (U6/L6 email this to me if you haven't already)

            1.Dissent

            2.The Eagle
     3. The Saint

            4. Jacobin

            5. Manifesto

            6. Partisan

            7. Insight

Other St John's Politics Society events this term

1. Debating Matters competition 30^th September 4.45-8pm - PAC

 2. Blair, Western intervention & the Stop the War coalition – Lindsey German     (National Convener Stop the War)14^th October 5.30-7pm - The Old Chapel.

3. The revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx – Mark L Thomas (leading Marxist, writer & activist) 11^th November 5.30-7pm - MMS

4. Chris Grayling MP & Leader of the House of Commons  - 20^th November 6pm -                  The Old Chapel

5. National Youth Parliament 'Make Your Mark' - End of September - Details to follow

The new term...

Guide to politics concepts/issues covered & to come this week

The Refugee crisis

L6 Politics - Unit 1

What is Democracy? What are the benefits of democracy? Is democracy always a good thing?

·          Key concepts: Democracy, dictatorship, consent & participation.Essential reading  pages 25-28

Why don’t people take part in politics? Why might this be a bad thing & how do we get more people involved?

·          Key concepts: Citizenship, Participation & Partisan dealignment. Essential reading pages 28-32

How did the Ancient Greeks practice democracy? Is democracy better without politicians?

·          -     Concepts: Direct democracy & referendum. Key Essential reading page 32

L6 Politics Unit 2 

Codified constitution - When did it originate, how does it work, what types are there, what are the benefits & pitfalls? What are the main sources & characteristics of the UK constitution? Should the UK codify its constitution? Essential reading: Essentials of UK Politics, A Heywood, Pages 170-187 

U6 Politics - Unit 3

1.    Why is individual freedom so important for liberals?

2.    Define individualism.

3.    According to Mill, on what grounds can the state rightfully constrain an individual’s liberty?

4.    How do such libertarians view actions that are ‘self regarding’? Give examples.

5.    What does such a view imply about the liberty of others? (Rawls)

6.    Describe Issiah Berlin’s ‘Two concepts of liberty.’

7.    Try & explain how this relates to the question of the individual & the state.(not in text)

8.    What was the main theme of the enlightenment?

9.    Define ‘rationalism’. (See box on p.33)

10. How does this relate to individual liberty? 11. How does this relate to progress?