starter activity

How successful has the Con-Dem coalition been? If you were to write a progress report, what would be the successes for each side?Extension. What would be the failures for each side?

Are coalitions such Are coalitions such a bad thing for a bad thing for

democracy?democracy?TBAT explain at least 3 TBAT explain at least 3

advantages of single-party & advantages of single-party & coalition govtcoalition govt

To define the term ‘To define the term ‘mandatemandate’’

To compare the pros and cons To compare the pros and cons of both systems & reach a of both systems & reach a

judgementjudgement

LOs

Your taskYour task

Read Watts, p.56 and note down 3 examples Read Watts, p.56 and note down 3 examples of when there have been single-party of when there have been single-party governments in recent years with sizeable governments in recent years with sizeable majorities. Note down too when the govt has majorities. Note down too when the govt has had a limited majority or no majority at all.had a limited majority or no majority at all.

Note down the advantages of single party Note down the advantages of single party governmentsgovernments

How might the author of the book review his How might the author of the book review his comments in the light of the 2010 GE result?comments in the light of the 2010 GE result?

AdvantagesAdvantages

Pinpoints responsibility - Pinpoints responsibility - accountabilityaccountability

Leads to strong, stable & lasting Leads to strong, stable & lasting govt.govt.

Quick and clear resultsQuick and clear results Coalitions lead to division and Coalitions lead to division and

compromise by comparisoncompromise by comparison

At her height Thatcher governed with a majority of 144 seats over other parties

In 2005 manifesto Labour committed itself to the following: rising investment in schools and hospitals without tax increases, a strong economy, tough messages on immigration and asylum, tackling anti-social behaviour. What happened to stop Labour fulfilling its manifesto pledges. What stops governments claiming they have a mandate to govern?

Your taskYour task

Read Watts, p.57 and notes the Read Watts, p.57 and notes the reasons why governments can’t reasons why governments can’t always claim to enjoy a mandate.always claim to enjoy a mandate.

Threats to mandateThreats to mandate

Electorate don’t support every Electorate don’t support every manifesto pledgemanifesto pledge

Manifestos are deliberately vague, e.g. Manifestos are deliberately vague, e.g. ‘‘committed to reducing public committed to reducing public spendingspending’’

Events change manifesto pledges, e.g. Events change manifesto pledges, e.g. 9/11, Credit Crunch etc.9/11, Credit Crunch etc.

Lack of clear majority, e.g. 2005 Lack of clear majority, e.g. 2005 Labour enjoyed 32.5% of Labour enjoyed 32.5% of popular votepopular vote

Your taskYour task

Read p.58-9 and make a scales chart Read p.58-9 and make a scales chart showing points in favour and points showing points in favour and points against coalitions.against coalitions.

Reach a judgement overall on whether Reach a judgement overall on whether they are good or bad for democracythey are good or bad for democracy

Extension. Do you think the experience Extension. Do you think the experience of the Con-Dem coalition has improved of the Con-Dem coalition has improved the reputation of coalitions?the reputation of coalitions?

Your taskYour task

Your teacher will give you a sheet Your teacher will give you a sheet with a series of points about with a series of points about coalitions, both pros and cons. coalitions, both pros and cons. Arrange them in two groups – those Arrange them in two groups – those suggesting coalitions are a good suggesting coalitions are a good thing for democracy and the reverse.thing for democracy and the reverse.

This house believes that the experience of the current coalition government has improved the reputation of coalitions in the UK

PlenaryPlenary

3 strengths of single-party 3 strengths of single-party governmentgovernment

3 strengths of coaltions3 strengths of coaltions Explain the term mandateExplain the term mandate Reach a judgement on coalitions. Do Reach a judgement on coalitions. Do

the disadvantages outweigh the the disadvantages outweigh the advantages?advantages?

Oooh, Mr Higgins it’s

so difficult to decide!