Unit6: UK Politics in Turmoil: British Political Parties, Leaders and Topical Issues:
Intro:
Here are a few links and resources to find out more about the UK political system and to have a better grasp of the main political parties and leaders in the UK, not to mention the principal issues at stake right now, especially the current crisis of the Conservative Party and the various challenges the country has been faced with. This unit should help you review what you learned in Unit1 and go even further!
Survival kit:
Download this file and add whatever you think is central.
Step1: Main political parties and leaders in the UK:
A few useful resources:
- The UK political system: (cf Unit1)
Virtual tour of the House of Commons!
- 'Major' political parties:
-
The Conservatives:
Rishi Sunak (Biography.com)
Liz Truss (Biography.com)
Boris Johnson (Biography.com)
David Cameron (Biography.com)
Theresa May (Biography.com)
2. The Labour Party:
- 'Minor' political parties:
The Lib-Dems, or Liberal Democrats:
UKIP: The UK Independent Party / The Brexit Party:
SNP: The Scottish National Party:
DUP: The Democratic Unionist Party:
The Green Party of England and Wales:
Videos:
Step2: UK Prime Ministership in crisis: roundabout, merry go round, revolving door at Number 10!
- Doc2a: Boris Johnson, "BoJo", from Brexit to Clownfall through Partygate: "after scandal-filled stint, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns" (PBS)
- Doc2b: Liz Truss, the most ephemeral UK Prime Minister + Keir Starmer's reaction to her resignation (from 0' to 2'09)
to the left/below
Liz Truss (Biography.com)
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- Doc2c: key facts about Rishi Sunak, the new British Prime Minister (The Guardian) + extra link (Sky History)
- Doc2d: "Rishi Sunak is the new Prime Minister" (Cartoon movement) / Elvi format
Step3: UK politics in shambles:
- Doc3a: The Brexit fallout: "6 Brexit problems 6 years after the EU referendum" (The Independent)
- Doc3b: "Rishi Sunak inherits a country in crisis" (CNBC)
- Doc3c: "How will 2022 be remembered?" (excerpt from The Guardian's 'Politics weekly' podcast)/ group1 from 0' to 2'01/ Group2 from 2'15 to 4'12 (you can listen to the whole episode here)
- Doc3d: The beginning of "The Sword in the Stone": an allegory for the current atmosphere in Britain? (0'-2'10) cfUnit1
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Go further and practice!
- Translate p1 into English.
- Listening comprehension:
1) Listen to this episode from the Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast and note down as many things as you can.
2) Here is the latest episode.
Alex's oral presentation on UK politics from last year:
Alex was our Northern Irish assistant last year: