British Politics PDF

10/24 First past the post issues: 1.​ Disproportionality 2.​ Minority rule- government representys less than half the voters/unheard voters/small parties cant be represented 3.​ Tactical voting- voting for the least bad option that you think will win instead of voting who...

10/24 First past the post issues: 1.​ Disproportionality 2.​ Minority rule- government representys less than half the voters/unheard voters/small parties cant be represented 3.​ Tactical voting- voting for the least bad option that you think will win instead of voting who you actually prefer 4.​ Safe seats- seats where the result is highly predictable and your vote wont really change the result→ wasted votes (opposite is a marginal seat which is like a swing state) 5.​ Creates a bipartisan system 6.​ Stifles change→ new ideas are not being heard +general democratic deficit PM is a member of parliament (MP) -​ Accroche - hook -​ Date -​ Author -​ Source -​ Thesis Voting and elections- in UK elections are thursdays Enfranchisement- giving the vote to more people -​ Extension of the franchise step by step in the 19th century -​ 1918- all men over 21, all women over 30 with property qualifications -​ 1928- both men and women allowed to vote at 21 -​ 1969- everyone could vote at 18 Types of electoral systems in the world -​ Majoritarian systems- winning party is the one with the majority of seats -​ plurality system- relative majority of votes (UK, USA) -​ Absolute majority- absolute majority (.50% of votes) (france) -​ Proportional representation systems- seats are distributed on the basis of votes won by each political party Different types of elections in the UK -​ General elections- to elect members of parliament (first past the post, lots of constituencies) -​ PM is the leader of the party with the most seats  -​ Local elections- to elect councillors (FPTP also) -​ Regional elections (northern irish parliament, scottish parliament, welsh assembly, greater london authority) (proportional representation) -​ European elections- MEPs (members of the european parliament) (proportional representation) -​ by -elections: when someone dies or resigns and has to be replaced -​ Referendums (4 examples) -​ Brexit 2016 (52% leave) -​ Scotland independence 2014, 55% remain in the UK -​ Change FPTP replace it with “the alternative vote” 2011, 68% no -​ 1975 referendum EEC remain General elections -​ In the UK vote for MPS in a general election -​ The candidate with the most votes wins the constituency- hence a seat in the couse of commons -​ Leader of the party with the most seats is invited by the monarch to form a government:he or she becomes PM -​ 650 constituencies in the UK (tiny area of the country, like a township) -​ Voters vote once (one round) -​ FPTP (so you dont need 50%, you just need to come in first) 2 levels in fptp UK -​ Constituency level ​ The UK Parliament is elected at a UK general election. ​ At a general election you have one vote to choose a candidate to represent your constituency in the House of Commons. ​ Most candidates are from a political party but there can also be independent candidates. ​ After a general election, the leader of the party with the most MPs is asked by the King to become Prime Minister and to form a government that will run the country. The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the Leader of the Opposition. Hung parliament- nobody has a majority of seats -​ Minority government, coalition, new election, Labour Conference has endorsed PR but the Labour government just won an overwhelming majority under FPTP -​ So voting reform is not likely Outline 10/24 Main points: -​ Fix a democratic crisis by implementing Proportional representation -​ FPTP turns voting into tactical -​ Some ask if Labour will embrace democratic reform, this article is not convinced -​ This article addresses the fact that reform would hekpk Reform party, but thinks its necessary to save democracy -​ Call for action for a government that represents plurality views Thesis: Democracy in the UK is being threatened by FPTP voting system -​ FPTP turns genuine voting as expression into a tactical game -​ We could fix this issue by implementing proportional representation -​ Will Labour continue to endorse this like they said they would? -​ Prob not after just winning -​ Nonetheless we need peoples plurality views to be represented even if it helps Reform First-Past-the-Post voting in the United Kingdom is threatening any ostensible democratic system in place. Instead of allowing voting to be an expression of political ideaology and personal values, the manner by which votes are cast has become a strategic game that necesitates tactical voting. Ellie Chowns, a British Green Party politician, argues that proportianal representation of votes would address the flaws in the current system. With prior reccomendation of such a change by the Labour party, stakeholders find themselves inquiring about how honest this endorsement was. Chows concedes that a systematic change of this nature would benefit every smaller party, including Reform, which had the power to be incredibly dangerous. Nevertheless, large-scale changes in governmental structure inevitably involve a balance of compromises and gains. 11/7 homework 1. Read the Conversation article and answer the following questions: - In what way does the traditional age divide play out? What was different in the 2024 general election? The traditional age divide in British politics is evident in the clear preference of younger voters for Labour and older voters for the Conservatives. However, in the 2024 general election, this divide took on added complexity. Young voters didn't overwhelmingly support a single party; rather, they displayed a strong rejection of the Conservatives and showed greater enthusiasm for smaller, left-wing, and socially liberal parties, such as the Greens and Liberal Democrats, as alternatives to Labour. - What group is more likely to vote Conservative? The age group most likely to vote Conservative is those over 65, who supported the Conservatives more than Labour by around 26 percentage points. - What trend did GE24 reinforce? The 2024 general election reinforced the trend of declining support for the two major parties, Labour and the Conservatives, as their combined vote share hit a record low of just 57%. This shift was especially pronounced among young voters, whose support for smaller parties was notably high. Smaller parties were favored!! - The word "Youthquake" was previously used in 2017. To describe what phenomenon? Among young people, who was more likely to vote for Reform? In 2017, "Youthquake" described the surge of young voter engagement and turnout, which was thought to have significantly boosted Labour’s support. In 2024, however, the expected "youthquake" for the Reform party did not materialize among young voters. Among under-30s, those from poorer households were slightly more likely to support Reform, with 13% of young voters from these backgrounds favoring the party. Brexit 2016, then jeremy corbyn in 2017 got very popular for young voters because he was very progressive. - What characterises youth turnout? What challenge does the UK face? Youth turnout tends to be lower than that of older age groups, particularly among young people from poorer households. This lower participation reflects a combination of lower political interest and the life instability often associated with early adulthood. The UK faces a significant democratic challenge: increasing disengagement from politics and voting among younger generations. Since voting habits formed in early adulthood often persist for life, a growing number of young people who abstain in their first elections are at risk of becoming lifelong non-voters, contributing to a sustained decline in electoral participation. 2. Pay attention to the GE19 and GE24 maps and focus on their similarities and differences. - Does something strike you about the 2019 map? I was surprised to see how overwhelmingly conservative it is when looking at sheer land area. In big cities like london or cardif, its left-leaning, similar to the united states. - Look up the expression "Red Wall". What happened to that group of seats in 2019? Can you explain why? The red wall is a term used in British politics to describe the UK Parliament constituencies in the Midlands and Northern England that have historically supported the Labour Party. At the 2019 general election, many of these parliamentary seats were won by the Conservative Party, with the media describing the red wall as having "turned blue". - In 2019, where did Labour make most progress? Labor won back the red wall in 2024 In the 2019 UK general election, Labour made most of its progress in areas with high youth populations and in urban centers, especially in parts of London and large cities where support for Labour remained stronger. However, across many traditionally Labour-supporting regions in northern England, known as the "Red Wall," Labour experienced significant losses to the Conservatives. These shifts led to a marked change in Labour's overall strongholds, highlighting an emerging divide between urban, younger voters and those in more rural, traditionally Labour-leaning areas. - In 2024, where did the Liberal Democrats make most progress? At the expense of which party? In the 2024 UK general election, the Liberal Democrats made the most progress in affluent, traditionally Conservative areas, especially in the south of England and parts of London. This shift largely came at the expense of the Conservative Party, as many voters in these regions, frustrated with the Conservative leadership and policies, turned to the Liberal Democrats as a centrist alternative. The Liberal Democrats' appeal to socially liberal, economically moderate voters in these regions contributed to their gains. - Comment on the evolution of the SNP result. -​ Their vote collapsed because they want scottish independence, and the snp were involved in a lot of scandals. The Scottish National Party (SNP) experienced a shift in its electoral performance between the 2019 and 2024 general elections. In 2019, the SNP had a particularly strong showing, consolidating its position as the dominant party in Scotland, largely due to growing support for Scottish independence and dissatisfaction with UK-wide policies. This momentum allowed the SNP to capture a significant number of seats, reinforcing Scotland’s political divergence from the rest of the UK. By 2024, however, the SNP's performance evolved in a few key ways. While the SNP retained its prominence in Scottish politics, it faced challenges from other pro-independence and unionist parties, leading to a more competitive landscape. Issues like governance concerns within the SNP and shifts in public opinion on independence may have slightly eroded their base, allowing opposition parties such as Labour and the Conservatives to regain some ground in certain areas of Scotland. This evolution suggests a potential shift toward a more multiparty dynamic in Scotland, with the SNP still leading but not as unchallenged as in previous years. Historically north to south is labor to conservative Voting behavior -​ Voter turnout is lower in second order elections than in general elections -​ Reached a low turnout point in 2001 with 59%, in the last GE it was only 59.7% -​ Because of loos of confidence in political class- scandals, feelings that voting is useless and makes no difference, feeling that the political class can male no difference to peoples live -​ Gradually low voter turnout - Grey vote- old people voting 3 important periods: 1 Before 1970s -​ Period of political alignment -​ According to cleavages (social or cultural line that divised citizens within a society in groups w dif political interests) -​ Everyone voted by class 2 From the 1970s onwards -​ Dealignment for 2 reasons -​ 1 Decline of class voting- -​ how you vote depends less on your social class (people started to care about new things- feminism, environment…) -​ Smaller parties started to merge so they got stronger and you could actually vote for them impactfully -​ More people were educated and stayed in education longer -​ 2 electoral volatility- people change parties between elections, especially floating voters that can be influence by media or short term local issues 3 Political realignment -​ The way people vote isnt based on class anymore, but 3 new cleavages -​ Brexit (2016, 52% leave-48% remain) -​ Scotland and N. Ireland voted remain (because tourism economy and rural voters are more racist and brexit relies on racism…) Remain voters are likely Brexit supporters are likely -​ big cities -​ Less educated -​ Left -​ Younger  -​ Younger -​ Conservative -​ Scotland and N. Ireland -​ Rural areas -​ More educated​ -​ Many are english Red wall became blue in 2019- blue wall is south england but in 2024 people voted differently 2 party system in the UK- but not as much as in the US -​ Lavor and conservative can only truly form the government but other parties can have seats in parliament Disproportionality- when the number of seats you get is not proportional to the number of votes you get Need separatipn of powers and checks and balances Front benches- cabinet -​ And shadow cabinet Back benches- regular mps The speaker is a regular mp who was elected by the other mps to become the speaker -​ Not necessarily in the government party (party with the majority) House of lords -​ 3 types of lords -​ Hereditary: inherit their title -​ Life: appointed by the prime minister (the power of appointment aka patronage) -​ Boris johnson appointed his father and friends (nepotism and cronyism, respectively) -​ Spiritual: from the church of england Prerogative powers -​ Belong to the monarch -​ Exercised by prime minister on behalf of monarch -​ Cannot be contested -​ Exercised without any control- the monarch can do no wrong he was chosen by god! (leads to abuse of power usually) ​ France needs an absolute majority- so there are usually 2 rounds and the second round is always only 2 candidates  ​ In the UK you have one round and whoever has more votes than the othedrs (relative majority) wins Whip -​ Can be a regular mp who has another job: to enforce party discipline -​ Leader gives instrucitions and whip tells other mps what to do PM and cabinet sit across the executive and legislative branches -​ They have majority and whipe to ensure they can do what they want in parliament -​ Impacts separation of powers because there shouldnt be connection between executive and legislative Hung parliament can result in -​ Minority government -​ New election -​ Coalition Royal family is problematic -​ Symbol of opression -imperialism -​ “Born to rule” (same thing for lords….) -​ They cost a lot of money -​ Scandals -​ They do try to seem more legitimate though -​ Pay taxes, try to seem more modern and relatable, shake hands with regular people and hold babies (press the flesh), you dont have to be the first born son to be king anymore (primoseniture) Midterm study Nov 21 homework 1.​ List the different difficulties facing the Conservative party. - It suffered its worst-ever election defeat, leaving it with only 121 MPs, most in vulnerable seats. - The party lacks a clear sense of purpose or identity, unsure of its ideological direction. - It has a tainted legacy from 14 years in power, marked by economic and social decline, loss of credibility, and populist governance. - It faces competition from both the Reform Party on the right and the Liberal Democrats in centrist Middle England. - Internal divisions exist between moderate “One Nation Conservatives” and the dominant right-wing faction. 2.​ Look up the expression "One Nation Conservative." Explain its origins, key figures, and ideas. The term "One Nation Conservative" originates from a speech by British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in 1837, where he warned of a divided society between the rich and poor. The ideology emphasizes social cohesion, paternalism, and a balance between free-market principles and state intervention to reduce inequality. Key figures include Disraeli, who championed social reforms and working-class enfranchisement, and later leaders like Harold Macmillan, who focused on post-war reconstruction and welfare policies. The philosophy advocates unity, pragmatism, and an inclusive vision of governance, contrasting sharply with the Conservative party's more recent right-wing populism. On the left of the conservative party, as opposed to Neo-liberals who are far right. 3.​ What reasons help explain the party's electoral collapse in 2024? The party's collapse is attributed to its poor governance record, characterized by economic mismanagement, division, and the fallout of its populist policies, such as Brexit. It alienated moderate voters in key constituencies by adopting far-right stances, ignoring pressing issues like the cost of living, health, and the economy, which were voters' primary concerns. Furthermore, its reputation for competence and being the "natural party of government" was severely damaged. 4.​ What major decision does the Conservative party need to take to rebuild? To rebuild, the Conservative party must decide whether to double down on right-wing populism or reposition itself in the political center, akin to Keir Starmer’s strategy for Labour. This would involve abandoning divisive culture war tactics, addressing the concerns of moderate voters, and formulating policies with broader appeal rather than pandering to an insular base. 5.​ Explain why the leadership hopefuls might decide to move to the right. Leadership hopefuls may shift further to the right to appeal to the Conservative party membership, who are older, wealthier, and more focused on issues like immigration and low taxes. Since members decide the leadership, candidates feel pressured to campaign on policies that resonate with this selectorate, even if these stances alienate the broader electorate. 6.​ Explain why, according to the journalist, they should use Keir Starmer as a model. The journalist argues that Keir Starmer’s leadership offers a blueprint for success. He unified a divided Labour party, abandoned unpopular hard-left policies, and reclaimed the center ground, making his party respectable and electable. Starmer’s ability to address voters' concerns and adapt to shifting political landscapes demonstrates that moderation and pragmatism can lead to a significant electoral turnaround. 7.​ Write an introduction to a commentary on this text. Stephen Barber’s analysis of the Conservative party’s leadership contest highlights the profound identity crisis and political challenges facing the party after its historic defeat in the 2024 general election. By contrasting the contenders' rightward leanings with Keir Starmer's centrist strategy for Labour, Barber underscores the urgent need for the Conservatives to reconcile their populist past with a vision that resonates with the broader electorate. This commentary will explore the ideological crossroads at which the party stands and evaluate the strategic options for its renewal. Watch the following video and prepare a short presentation of Kemi Badenoch (Bade-knock) (background, political career, ideas etc). Kemi Badenoch was born in Wimbledon, London, to Nigerian parents. She spent her early childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK at 16 thanks to financing by her father’s savings. During her youth, she worked at McDonald’s and studied at Sussex University, where her political beliefs began to solidify, eventually leading her to join the Conservative Party in her early 20s. Badenoch's rise in politics has been swift and attention-grabbing. After entering Parliament in her 30s, she quickly became known for her bold and direct speaking style. She held various government roles, including: -​ Treasury Minister- where she gained recognition for her clarity and conviction in debates. -​ Secretary of State for International Trade- demonstrating her increasing influence within the party. -​ She also played a key role in introducing Theresa May’s conference speech, gaining visibility as a rising Conservative figure. -​ In the 2022 leadership contest to replace Liz Truss, Badenoch surpassed expectations, finishing fourth and solidifying her position as a prominent party leader. Kemi Badenoch is known as a “self-proclaimed anti-woke” politician, often emphasizing conservative cultural values and pushing back against progressive social movements. Her no-nonsense, direct approach has earned her a reputation for being bold, though sometimes gruff or combative, even with colleagues. Badenoch has been described as a politician with heartful conviction, but she has also faced criticism for being overly blunt. Despite these critiques, she has made history as the first Black woman to lead the Conservative Party, marking a significant milestone in British politics. Badenoch’s leadership is characterized by a willingness to challenge convention and engage in ideological battles. While her style resonates with some, it may alienate others. As leader, her main challenge will be moving beyond her party’s base to win public trust and broaden her appeal ahead of the next election. 11/21 class The Conservative and Unionist party -​ Tory party created 1678 -​ Conservatives of today created in 1832 by robert peel -​ Tories used as a pejorative, negative nickname for conservatives now -​ 20th century called the conservative century -​ Wants to resist change but longevity due to adaptability One nation -​ Very weak rn -​ The rich and the state should help the poor -​ To some extent Leaders -​ Major (leader 1990-1997)- was PM -​ Thatcher (leader 1974-1990)- was PM -​ Thatcherism, john major broadly continued thatcherism -​ Wanted the state to be as small as possible “hands off approach”, market can regulate itself -​ Against dependancy culture, promoted individualism -​ Privitized utilities, fought against trade unions -​ Broadly pro-european, but britain should come first, authoritarian leadership style -​ David cameron 2005 became leader -​ Modernize the party to make it electable -​ Became more vocal about the environment -​ Introduced same sex marriage in the UK -​ Conservative lib-dems were in power as a coalition -​ Bedroom tax- applies to social housing, when a kid leaves home and theres an empty bedroom the state helps you with rent less (so you pay more) -​ Tuition fees- 1999 tony balir introduced tuition fees raised them to 3000 pounds a year- then raised to 9000 a year -​ Proponent of brexit- 2013 announced if he got reelected he woud organize a referendum for brexit (though, he was in favor of staying) -​ Theresa may -​ Broadly against brexit but had to organize leaving the EU because she came after david cameron, wanted to do what the electorate wanted -​ Organized a snap GE to try to win more seats to get brexit initiated in the -​ Had to resign after months of struggling to get her brexit bill through parliament -​ Boris Johnson  -​ Secretary of state under theresa may- resigned from her cabinet because didnt like her non-radical brexit plan -​ “One nation tory” -​ Was the mayor of london -​ Obviously in favor of leaving the eu -​ Prorogation- if british parliament didnt want to vote his brexit deal he would suspend it (but you cant just do that..) supreme court ruled this unlawful -​ GE19- won a lot of votes in the red wall because they wanted brexit -​ Suffered lots of his cabinet resigning and then he resigned in the end -​ Liz Truss -​ 45 days in power, lots of difficulties -​ Lost of living crisis when she was PM -​ Mini budget- Decided to cut taxes for the richest in society (trickle down) -​ Compared to a lettuce -​ Rishi sunak -​ First POC PM -​ Criticized for being disconnected from needs of the electorate -​ Implemented windsor framework- improved relations between eu and UK -​ Implemented rwanda plan- send illegal immigrants to rwanda , didnt happen because declared unlawful by the supreme court -​ Kemi Badenoch -​ First female nonwhite leader of any political party ever -​ “Anti woke” -​ Polemical (hostile) -​ Subprimes -​ Financial crisis, housing costs higher and higher Labour- Nov. 28 1. Can Labour's landslide victory in GE24 be explained by its popularity? Justify by identifying reasons in the text. Labour's landslide victory is not primarily a result of its popularity but rather the collapse in Conservative support and a preference for stability over chaos. The text notes that Sir Keir Starmer did not "sweep his party—or the nation—off its feet." Instead, Labour positioned itself as "an improvement without upheaval," contrasting with the "chaotic and ruinous Conservative administration." This strategy capitalized on voters' disillusionment with the Conservatives rather than overwhelming enthusiasm for Labour itself. This is a very overt example of tactical voting. 2. Research: What is the winter fuel payment? What does Labour want to change about that policy and why? Why is that controversial? The winter fuel payment is a benefit in the UK designed to help pensioners cover heating costs during the winter. It is typically a tax-free payment provided to most people over a certain age. Labour proposes limiting this payment to only the poorest pensioners, citing "black holes" in the budget. This change is controversial because it risks alienating a significant portion of older voters who have relied on this universal benefit. Critics argue it may deepen economic insecurity among middle-income pensioners and conflict with public expectations for more generous social spending under Labour. 3. What electoral threats does Labour face? Labour faces electoral threats from several directions: - **Progressive fragmentation:** Emerging progressive blocs, such as those critical of Labour's stance on Gaza, led to significant losses, including high-profile figures like Jon Ashworth. - **Green Party:** The Greens gained four seats and are challenging Labour in 40 constituencies, pressuring Labour on climate policy and appealing to progressive voters. - **Internal contradictions:** Labour’s cautious approach and distancing from unions risk isolating the party from its activist base, which could weaken long-term support. - **Thin victory margins:** Many MPs are keenly aware of their precarious positions, underscoring the necessity of delivering tangible results for voters. 4. Research "New Labour". Why can it be held responsible for explaining the current economic situation? **New Labour**, under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, embraced a neoliberal economic model that prioritized deregulation, privatization, and market-driven policies. While these policies led to economic growth and increased public investment, critics argue they entrenched inequality, fostered overreliance on the financial sector, and neglected systemic reforms to ensure equitable growth. The 2008 financial crisis exposed these vulnerabilities, and subsequent austerity measures further deepened economic disparities. This legacy complicates Labour's efforts to address current challenges, as the party must confront the consequences of policies it once championed. 5. Scandals are highlighted in bold (first passage): research and explain what happened. The scandals involve **gifts from wealthy donors, tickets to football games, and disputes about the chief of staff’s pay.** These controversies suggest ethical lapses or perceived conflicts of interest in Labour's financial dealings and internal governance. Specific details might include allegations of improper donor influence or questionable expenditures. These scandals contribute to public skepticism about Labour's transparency and accountability, exacerbating the challenges of governing during a period of low public trust. “Starmer is already under scrutiny over his acceptance of more than £100,000 of freebies and gifts over the last parliament. He faces further questions about whether his £35,000 of free tickets from football clubs risks a conflict of interest as the government prepares to bring in a new regulator opposed by the industry.” 6. Comment on the second passage in bold. The bold passage emphasizes a fundamental tension within the Labour Party: its historical role as a vehicle for translating grassroots struggles into legislative reforms versus its contemporary focus on maintaining broad electoral appeal through cautious, incremental change. Sir Keir Starmer's alignment with the latter approach signals his preference for pragmatism and moderation over radicalism, prioritizing "electability" in the short term. This strategy may alienate segments of Labour’s traditional base, particularly activists and progressive voters who push for more transformative policies. Balancing these factions is critical. If Labour focuses too heavily on appealing to centrist voters while sidelining its radical base, it risks losing its identity as a movement for systemic social change. Conversely, leaning too heavily into radicalism could alienate the wider electorate. Ultimately, the challenge for Labour lies in reconciling these competing demands—delivering tangible reforms that resonate with its core supporters while building broader appeal to govern effectively. Failing to strike this balance could undermine its long-term credibility and its ability to enact lasting progressive change. 11.28 class notes -​ Labour dates back to 1893- independant labor party created -​ 1900- labour party becomes what we know today -​ Kier hardie- first leader (trade unionist) set up the party to represent working class people who had just gotten the right to vote -​ 1918- formal idealogical framework- labour constitution was written -​ Clause IV- committs labour to common ownership of the means of production (marxist) -​ Traditionally committed to nationalization -​ Labour wins majority post ww2 because of interventionist and collectivist ideas -​ Utilities + transport was nationalized -​ Will protect you from “5 giants” -​ The wealth estate -​ Kill poverty, give ppl education, give healthcare, improve living conditions+create social housing, minimize unemployment -​ 1891 -Unelectable because it was too left wing- so the “gang of 4” created a new party (SDP- social democratic party, doesnt exist anymore, merged with the liberals and created lib dems) -​ Tony blair- new labour, new britain -​ Wanted to cut ties w the socialist image of labour -​ Abolished clause IV -​ Cut ties with the trade unions (that used to be very important in the labour party) -​ “The third way”- neither socialism or thatcherism -​ Basically thatcherism continued tho -​ “Tough on crime..” -​ Anti-social behavior orders -​ Radical constituation reform -​ Broke away from thatcher in one sense- he was broadly european -​ Tony blair said he was gonna help the US attack iraq - because iraq had “weapons of mass destruction” but they really didnt so tony blair lied -​ Ed miliband tried to break away from new labour legacy -​ Rejected rhe post iraq labor legacu and advocated for an active role of the state -​ Jeremy corbyn -​ Didnt really want to be leader  -​ Old labour values- far left, eurosceptic -​ Unpopular with the mps -​ They were more centrist -​ Didnt want uk to necessarily stay in the eu because he was skeptical -​ So lots of moderate labour mps resigned -​ Then relected in 2017 -​ 2020- keir starmer, not that poular, result of tactical voting against conservatives -​ Moved to the center -​ Cautious on the economy- winterfuel payments, 2 child benefit cap (any more children than that and u dont get help frolm the states) Tories have destroyed the country and its economy despite remaining in power for most of the 20th century Brexit Phase 1 -​ 1946- Churchill declares himself in favor of a “United States of Europe” -​ Euro Coal and Steel Community created in 1951 (Treaty of Paris) but UK not in it yet -​ Goal was to not allow Germany to have power over its own resources -​ And European Defense Community also created -​ 1957- Treaty of Rome- creation of the European Economic Community and the atomic energy community (EURATOM) -​ Only 6 countries original in it- not UK -​ Why? -​ They had won the war -​ Feeling of being an island -​ Feeling of being stronger than Europe- only country to have resisted German occ. -​ Sovereignty -​ Joining would have meant renouncing special links with the USA and the Commonwealth because CEE was a free trade area with common tariffs -​ British coal and steel industries had just been nationalised -​ However → from the 60s onwards the countries that had joined were doing well economically, where Britain was not → UK began to want to join -​ 1960s- Macmillan Conservative gov and Wilson’s Labour government tried to join but CDG vetoed their entry each time  -​ Thought that the links w USA and Commonwealth wld threaten UK’s commitment -​ Wanted france to be the main power in the EEC -​ Felt that Brits had a different cultural identity -​ 1969- CDG resigned, new Fr pres. Pompidou accepted Heath’s third attempt -​ 1972- European Communities ACT → UK joins Jan 1, 1973 -​ At this time- Conservatives = Pro-European -​ Labour = Eurosceptic → Wilson organized a referendum in 1975 -​ 65% voted remain -​ Wilson did this for party reasons- too much pressure from ppl who didnt like Euro union in his party, organized referendum to silence them -​ Same thing David Cameron did in 2013 Phase 2 -​ Under Thatcher- she was broadly pro-European as long as they were in British interest -​ Signed European Single Act of 1986- created a single market with common external tariffs- free movement of ppl, goods, capitals, and services -​ Thatcher did not like the European Budget (money contributed by all countries, does things for the member states) -​ Though that British contribution was too high, and the UK didn't get enough in return -​ Thatcher eventually got a 66% rebate to the UK contribution -​ Under Major -​ 1992- difficulty ratifying the Maastricht treaty = support if Lib Dems -​ Opted out of single currency -​ Opted out of social chapter (Workers’ rights) -​ 1993- UKIP was created- Euroscpetic/UK independence party -​ 1996- Mad cow disease- embargo on British beef imports → Major/UK blocks unanimous decisions in EU -​ Under Blair -​ Voluntarism: utilitarian supranationalism -​ Opted into social chapter -​ Signed Amsterdam Treaty 1997 and Nice Treaty 2000 that provide for the enlargement of the RU to 10 Eastern European countries in 2000 -​ UK one of three countries to keep their borders open - -​ 1990 St Malo- creates of the european defence force independent from NATO in case NATO doesn’t want to intervene Phase 3 -​ Cameron-  -​ UKIP party in 2014- political messaging for sovereignty -​ No Control → became slogan of leave campaign in parliament -​ Soft-Eurosceptics- criticize EU- change it from inside -​ Hard-Eurosceptics- change the issues w EU by leaving -​ Cameron introduced referendum lock- referendum needed by the people for Brexit to happen, can't just be decided in Parliament -​ 2013- Bloomberg speech- Cameron announced that there would be a referendum on British membership in the EU -​ Promised bc he was being threatened by critics/eurosceptics in his own party -​ Brexit Referendum- 23rd June 2016 Leave Campaign -​ Two different pro leave groups -​ Vote Leave: -​ BJ + Micheal Gove + Dominic Cummings -​ Stop contributing to the EU budget + restore parliamentary sovereignty and be able to create own immigration policy -​ Leave EU -​ Backed by Nigel Farage -​ Focused on immigration -​ Strong bc attracted diff audience's + emotional appeal + supported by press (tabloids) Remain Campaign -​ Some Conservatives, most of Labour, Greams, Plaid, Lib Dems -​ Focused on the economic consequences that Brexit could have on the company -​ Weak campaign bc -​ Cameron based his support on the negotiations with the EU but they were consider not enough -​ Started campaign too late -​ Accused of fear mongering -​ Cameron believed that he could convince the British bc of his two previous successes -​ Scottish referendum and GE2015 -​ Refused to attach leaders that backed leave camp to avoid division in his party -​ Corbyn didn't want to campaign with conservatives Results of referendum - 52% Leave 48% Remain -​ Typical leave voter profile -​ Older -​ Lower level of education -​ Right wing  -​ English/Welsh ppl -​ Rural/Poorer people -​ Typical remain voter profile -​ Left wing -​ Higher edu -​ Younger -​ Scottish, Northern Irish, big cities Brexit and NI -​ 1801- Act of Union -​ 1873-1914- Attempt and failure of home rule -​ 1916- Easter Uprising -​ 1919-1921- War of Independence- Followed by Irish Partition between Ireland and Northern Ireland -​ 1969-1994- Troubles -​ 1998- Good Friday Agreement and NI elections act -​ NI Assembly → Devolution -​ Soft Border Brexit- 1. What was the goal of the Northern Ireland Protocol? -​ Its primary goal was to prevent the establishment of a hard border (with customs checks and infrastructure) between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, thereby protecting the 1998 Good Friday Agreement -​ To achieve these aims, the Protocol kept Northern Ireland aligned with certain EU rules on goods and customs, effectively creating a regulatory border in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. While it avoided a hard land border, it introduced checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, leading to political and economic tensions -​ Flow of trade 2. Where was the border created? -​ In the Irish sea- GB outside of Customs Unions, Ireland inside 3. Who did not like the Protocol and why? You should focus on three different groups. -​ Unionists/DUP Party 1.​ Two many Checks- undermines Union 2.​ Preserves role of ECJ  -​ People that like the place of Northern Ireland within the EU don’t like the protool, because they feel as if Northern Ireland is being treated too differently from the rest of UK bc EU law/EU courts still involved there -​ Threat to British Identity in NI -​ Brexiters (ERG) -​ They viewed the Protocol as keeping parts of the UK under EU jurisdiction, violating the principles of Brexi -​ Brexiteers saw the internal trade border, drawn in the Irish sea, as a betrayal of promises made during the Brexit campaign -​ Too many checks- needless bureaucracy -​ Business Owners/Consumers -​ Lots of bureaucracy/red tape 4. What does Sunak's Windsor Framework change for trade? -​ Rishi Sunak- Introduced Feb 2023, Passed March 2023 -​ Red and Green Lanes- to distinguish goods between -​ GB → NI- Green, very minimal check -​ GB → NI → RI- Red, full regulatory checks 5. What is the Stormont Break? -​ Northern Ireland's elected assembly (Stormont) gains a mechanism to object to new EU laws applying to the region if 30 members from at least two political parties agree. This provides NI more say over its regulatory environment while respecting its unique position in both the UK and EU -​ Videos -​ Windsor Framework -​ NI much closer ties w EU bc they share a land border w republic of Ireland, so windsor framework was written -​ No checks/border posts on the island -​ Red and green lanes -​ Some powers returned to Westminster -​ Where was the border created? -​ Option 1- Irish Sea -​ GB outside of Customs Unions, Ireland inside -​ Option 2- Land Border  -​ Everyone leaves EU -​ Violate Good Friday Agreement HW for 12.12 1.​ Describe the SNP results in the 2024 general election:​ The Scottish National Party (SNP) suffered a catastrophic defeat in the 2024 UK general election, losing the majority of its Westminster seats. The party retained only 9 out of 59 Scottish seats, down from 48 in 2019. This marked a significant decline in public support, both for the SNP and its central cause of Scottish independence, leaving the party in a precarious position as it struggles to remain politically relevant.​ 2.​ Why is the 2026 election considered as crucial?​ The 2026 Scottish Parliament election is crucial because it represents a make-or-break moment for the SNP’s independence ambitions. Having governed Scotland since 2007, the SNP faces serious competition from a resurgent Scottish Labour Party. A loss in 2026 would not only risk the SNP’s hold on power but also further delay or derail its strategy of achieving independence through strong governance and public persuasion. Winning this election is essential to keep the independence cause alive and maintain their political relevance in Scotland.​ 3.​ What threats does the SNP face?​ The SNP faces a range of internal and external threats:​ ○​ Electoral competition: Scottish Labour, led by Anas Sarwar, is gaining momentum and poses a serious challenge to the SNP in 2026. ○​ Public disillusionment: Support for independence has waned, and many Scots now prioritize issues like cost of living and healthcare over constitutional matters. ○​ Internal instability: Leadership struggles, declining trust in the party’s governance, and controversies, including police investigations into party finances, have weakened its reputation. ○​ Strategic missteps: The SNP’s focus on the process of independence rather than tangible governance outcomes has alienated some supporters. 4.​ Why has support for independence/the SNP slipped?​ Support has eroded due to several factors:​ ○​ Loss of momentum: The SNP’s electoral decline and leadership turmoil, coupled with the resignation of prominent figures like Nicola Sturgeon, have undermined confidence in the party.  ○​ Public priorities: Independence has fallen down the list of voter concerns, with economic and social issues taking precedence. ○​ Unclear vision: The SNP’s inability to outline a concrete and achievable path to independence has made the cause seem distant and unfeasible. ○​ Scandals and governance issues: Controversies surrounding the SNP and perceived governance failures have further damaged its credibility. 5.​ What is the SNP's strategy now?​ The SNP’s strategy has shifted to focus on restoring public trust and addressing voter priorities. Leader John Swinney has emphasized delivering tangible benefits to Scots by governing “harder and smarter,” while de-emphasizing independence as an immediate goal. Instead, the SNP aims to rebuild its case for independence by demonstrating competent governance and aligning with voters' everyday concerns. This approach involves downplaying constitutional matters in favor of policies that resonate with the electorate, particularly in the run-up to the critical 2026 election.​ 6.​ Introduction to a commentary on this text:​ The Scottish National Party, long synonymous with the push for Scottish independence, now finds itself at a crossroads following its devastating performance in the 2024 UK general election. With the loss of the majority of its Westminster seats, the party faces internal turmoil, dwindling public support, and mounting challenges from a reinvigorated Scottish Labour Party. This commentary explores the SNP's electoral decline, the reasons behind the slipping momentum for independence, and the strategic recalibration required to keep its long-held dream alive. As the 2026 Scottish Parliament election looms, the SNP must navigate its most perilous political moment yet, balancing the immediate needs of the electorate with its broader constitutional ambitions.​