A Pre-Departure Orientation Program on Contemporary British Culture UK Politics and Current Events Order! Order!?

A Pre-Departure Orientation Programon Contemporary British Culture

UK Politics and Current UK Politics and Current EventsEvents

Order! Order!?Order! Order!?

Saint George (England) Saint Andrew (Scotland)

Saint Patrick (Ireland) Saint David (Wales)

Flags of the U.K.Flags of the U.K.

Political Culture in the U.K.

Institutions of UK GovernmentEmpire and CommonwealthParty SystemParliamentary System

Major Issues You’ll Hear AboutDomestic Policy DifferencesThe UK and the EU

““The sun never sets on the British Empire.”The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

Lands claimed by Britain in North America were amongst the

earliest to become British colonies.

The British Empire: North AmericaThe British Empire: North America

The British Empire: The CaribbeanThe British Empire: The Caribbean Risking life for glory and richesRisking life for glory and riches Sugar peaked economic interestSugar peaked economic interest Slave trade between Britain, Africa, and the Slave trade between Britain, Africa, and the

AmericasAmericas

The British Empire: South AmericaThe British Empire: South America

American American dominance dominance prevented British prevented British influenceinfluence

Powerful British Powerful British economy allowed economy allowed for the “informal for the “informal Empire”Empire”

The British Empire: AfricaThe British Empire: Africa

First and final First and final British coloniesBritish colonies

Transatlantic Transatlantic slave tradeslave trade

Gold and ivory as Gold and ivory as attractive trade attractive trade goodsgoods

The British Empire: Middle EastThe British Empire: Middle East

Gulf, East Africa, Gulf, East Africa, and West India and West India tradetrade

Indian dominance Indian dominance regional control regional control and access to and access to communication communication and suppliesand supplies

The British Empire: AsiaThe British Empire: Asia

Fortunes made in Fortunes made in spices from the spices from the OrientOrient

European state European state rivalry strengthened rivalry strengthened BritainBritain

Markets in tea, Markets in tea, textiles, and opiumtextiles, and opium

Economically Economically successfulsuccessful

The British Empire: OceaniaThe British Empire: Oceania

Supported the Supported the Royal NavyRoyal Navy

Land for Land for undesirablesundesirables

Immigrants to Immigrants to New ZealandNew Zealand

The British Empire:The British Empire:Rise of CommonwealthRise of Commonwealth

Succeeded the British EmpireSucceeded the British Empire Preserved economic and political linksPreserved economic and political links Formalized in 1931Formalized in 1931 Association of free and equal statesAssociation of free and equal states

The British Empire:The British Empire:The Commonwealth TodayThe Commonwealth Today

Voluntary Voluntary associationassociation

50 member states50 member states 1.8 billion people1.8 billion people Promotes Promotes

democracy and democracy and good governancegood governance

Sport, education, Sport, education, and cultural tiesand cultural ties

The British Empire:The British Empire:The Commonwealth TodayThe Commonwealth Today

Citizens have some rights in each Citizens have some rights in each other’s countriesother’s countries– Citizens can register to vote in other Citizens can register to vote in other

Commonwealth countriesCommonwealth countries Share imperial traditionsShare imperial traditions

– Love of cricket and rugbyLove of cricket and rugby– Driving on the leftDriving on the left– Boxing DayBoxing Day– Wigged court judgesWigged court judges– British EnglishBritish English




UK Party SystemUK Party System







British GovernmentBritish Government

Distinguishing features Distinguishing features Legislative: House of Commons & House Legislative: House of Commons & House

of Lordsof Lords ExecutiveExecutive Judicial Judicial Role of the MonarchyRole of the Monarchy Devolution: Government in Scotland, Devolution: Government in Scotland,

Wales, and Northern IrelandWales, and Northern Ireland

Distinguishing Features Distinguishing Features

Parliamentary SovereigntyParliamentary Sovereignty No separation of powersNo separation of powers Absence of a single, written Absence of a single, written

ConstitutionConstitution Ceremonial role of the Monarchy Ceremonial role of the Monarchy

Lower chamberLower chamber 659 democratically 659 democratically

elected MPselected MPs Functions:Functions:

make laws, scrutinize the make laws, scrutinize the government, safeguard government, safeguard rights of individualsrights of individuals

exclusive power over exclusive power over money bills money bills

Parliament:Parliament:House of CommonsHouse of Commons

Parliament: Parliament: House of LordsHouse of Lords

711 members: life peers, hereditary peers, 26 bishops of Church of England and law lords

Functions: make laws, scrutinize

government, safeguard rights of individuals, perfect laws passed in the House of Commons

no taxation or finance matters

Executive: The GovernmentExecutive: The Government Formed by majority party Formed by majority party

in House of Commonsin House of Commons Consists of prime minister, Consists of prime minister,

cabinet, and ministerial cabinet, and ministerial staff staff

Prime Minister: Tony BlairPrime Minister: Tony Blair 22 Cabinet Members 22 Cabinet Members Over 100 MPs in House of Over 100 MPs in House of

Commons on ministerial Commons on ministerial staffstaff

Prime Minister Question TimePrime Minister Question Time

Accountability to Accountability to governmentgovernment

1990 Example: Prime 1990 Example: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Minister Margaret Thatcher answers question about answers question about Britain’s role in the Britain’s role in the European CommunityEuropean Community

MonarchyMonarchy Lacks political powerLacks political power Ceremonial head of stateCeremonial head of state Traditional powers are now exercised by Traditional powers are now exercised by

Prime Minister and ministers on behalf of the Prime Minister and ministers on behalf of the crowncrown

JudicialJudicial

Appellate Committee in Appellate Committee in House of Lords is the House of Lords is the highest courthighest court

Prime Minister appoints Prime Minister appoints judges to Appellate judges to Appellate CommitteeCommittee

Lord Chancellor makes Lord Chancellor makes other judicial other judicial appointmentsappointments

Scotland Act of 1998Scotland Act of 1998 129 member Parliament 129 member Parliament First Minister and cabinetFirst Minister and cabinet Control over most primary Control over most primary

legislationlegislation

Devolution:Devolution:ScotlandScotland

Government of Wales Act of 1998Government of Wales Act of 1998 60 member Assembly60 member Assembly First Secretary and Cabinet First Secretary and Cabinet Control over only secondary legislationControl over only secondary legislation

Devolution: Devolution: WalesWales

Good Friday Agreement of 1998Good Friday Agreement of 1998 Power sharing designPower sharing design 108 Member Parliament108 Member Parliament First Minister and Cabinet with First Minister and Cabinet with

unionist and nationalist membersunionist and nationalist members Control over primary legislationControl over primary legislation

Devolution: Devolution: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Graphic SourcesGraphic Sources

The United Kingdom of Parliament. The United Kingdom of Parliament. http://www.parliament.uk/http://www.parliament.uk/

10 Downing Street. 10 Downing Street. http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asphttp://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

The British Monarchy. The British Monarchy. http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asphttp://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

The Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/home.htm http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/home.htm

http://www.parliament.uk/

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp




HealthcareThe United States vs. Britain

The United States 42.6 million without healthcare Universal health care is not a right of citizenship Only industrialized nation that does not

guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship

28 industrialized nations have single payer universal health care systems, while 1 (Germany) has a multipayer universal health care system

The United States (cont’d) Most expensive health care system in the world Spends at least 40% more per capita than any

other industrialized country with universal care Based on private insurance coverage related to

employment, public insurance for the elderly (Medicare), the military, veterans, and the poor and the disabled (Medicaid)

System creates many gaps in coverage

Britain Healthcare is a basic human right National Health Service (NHS) is 56 years old Provides healthcare to all citizens based on need

(not ability to pay) 2-tiered system with private service option One of the largest organizations in Europe Funded by taxpayers; managed by the Dept of

Health

Britain (cont’d)

Dept of Health distributes funds to health authorities in each region

Government ensures high standard NHS receives appropriations annually

98% funded by income tax and National Insurance contributions

2% funded by patient charges (i.e., prescriptions, dental care)

Public Opinion (cont’d)

I prefer the UK's NHS to the nightmare of red tape, expense and iniquitous medical resourcing that is inherent in the US private system. I cannot imagine how anybody, including Blair, can consider a private healthcare system that diverts precious financial resources to profits as being "efficient". - Dr Eric Bowman, St Andrews, Scotland

Public Opinion (cont’d)American healthcare is dictated by insurance companies whose boards are occupied by political heavyweights, ensuring that both economic and political power remains corporate. Individual choice only exists for those who have financial independence, since US healthcare is tightly linked to employment. The unemployed, chronically sick or between jobs are uninsured - about 40m Americans have no health insurance. And private insurance systems are unlikely to cover the costs of chronic illness. The UK has universal healthcare with 100% coverage, free at the point of access and independent of health status, employment or socio-economic class. If you corner most US doctors in a dark room they are really rather envious of the NHS. -Darren Fowler, Boston, USA


I feel that the NHS desperately needs to be overhauled. It is not 'free at the point of delivery' for many who need treatment. People who need to wear glasses have to pay for examinations and the spectacles they wear (even though their standard of living would be greatly reduced if they had no glasses.) If more employers were to offer healthcare schemes, perhaps there would be more money to be directed towards where it really needs to go. - Philip Edwards, Taunton Somerset England


I firmly support some sort of individual accountability for medical costs. Lifestyle choices strongly influence the cost of care. I highly resent being forced to pay for someone else's poor lifestyle choices when I take good care of myself. When someone can come up with a solution to that dilemma, I'll support their system. -Marten King, Portland, Oregon, USA

Employment ServicesThe United States vs. Britain

The United States

Unemployment results from “lack of work”; no fault of your own

States administer federal unemployment insurance

Department of Labor governs federal rules Payments based on percent of the last 52

week’s earnings, not exceeding maximum

The United States (cont’d)

Maximum benefit period is 26 weeks (government may extend)

In many states compensation is ½ of earnings, up to a certain limit

The United States (cont’d) Circumstances that may disqualify person

from collecting unemployment Quitting without good cause Fired for misconduct Resigned because of illness Left to get married Self employed Involved in a labor dispute Attending school

Britain

Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) is government unemployment benefit for people who are unemployed but seeking work

JSA is part of the social security system JSA is meant to cover cost of living expenses No time limits on JSA Department of Works and Pensions funds JSA

Britain (cont’d) 2 forms of unemployment benefit

Contribution based (CBJSA) Income based (IBJSA)

Entitlement for CBJSA requires Adequate national insurance contributions

during 2 previous tax years Proof they are available for work Proof they are actively seeking employment

Britain (cont’d) If person does not qualify for CBJSA and has

little/no income, they receive IBJSA Must prove they are available for and actively

seeking work IBJSA means tested for each individual person Benefits lower for those younger than 25 years old To continue receiving benefits, must visit job

center every 2 weeks, give details about their job search and sign a declaration they are following their Job Seeker’s Agreement




Beginnings…

Aftermath of World War II, animosity between European nations

Originally an economic arrangement between France and Germany: united through industry

Brains behind it were… French 6 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, the

Netherlands, France and West Germany… who’s missing?

Progress towardsEuropean Economic Community

The 6 strengthened their economic cooperation and the EEC– known informally as the Common Market– born in 1958.

Same 6 countries, and lots of Frenchmen in the driving seat…

Britain tries to join!

Britain applies for entry in 1961, but is blocked by…a Frenchman.

De Gaulle famously said “NON!” Still part of the British collective

consciousness

1973: Britain becomes a member

Cracks show immediately– all decisions had to be voted unanimously– UK vetoes decision after decision after decision.

Example: – In 1972, EEC attempted to pass a law regulating

sugar in jam– UK objected on grounds that marmalade (traditional

British jam made with oranges) should not be classified as jam

– so vetoed, vetoed and vetoed, until the law was passed… in 1988.

European Monetary System

Agreed in 1979: 8 countries IN, one OUT…– This is why you won’t be taking euros with you.

Blair committed himself to a referendum on the issue, but has recently moved closer to the Bush administration than to his European allies.– (And he’s “committed himself” to a lot of things

before.)

The “European Union”

1991 Maastricht Treaty – single currency

– social charter

– abolition of borders

– European police…

UK hostile and insists on “opt-out clause” Commission President: Famous integrator

Jacques Delors (French)– vilified by the British press; The Sun printed on its

front page UP YOURS, DELORS!

Into the 21st century…

Challenges for UK/EU relations– Single currency– European Constitution– UK/US ‘special relationship’– European expansion and immigration– UK media and ‘United States of Europe’

6 December 2004

NHS Revolution: _______ to train as surgeons A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.

A defiant Mr Blair insisted he would not apologise for the war when he came under sustained criticism after the leaking of the Attorney General's advice questioning the legality of the conflict. But Mr Sedgemore , who has been a Labour Party member for 37 years, yesterday blamed the Labour Party's policies on Iraq for his decision to join the Liberal Democrats. Writing in The Independent, Mr Sedgemore says: "I voted against the war on Iraq and it becomes clearer every day that Blair decided to go to war after meeting Bush on his Texas ranch in 2002. After that, he lied to persuade the country to support him. "The stomach-turning lies on Iraq were followed by the attempt to use the

politics of fear to drive through Parliament a deeply authoritarian set of law-and-order measures that reminded me of the Star Chamber. The Star Chamber used torture but at least they allowed a proper trial before throwing someone into prison. That is when I decided enough was enough. "For some of us it's not just about the war, it's about top-up fees and privatising the health service. We were going to issue a joint statement. That would have been the easiest thing for me to do but I believe I owe it to voters to speak out now," he says. Labour's spin machine may dismiss Mr Sedgemore as a maverick

6 December 2004

NHS Revolution: Nurses to train as surgeons A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



7 December 2004

Mother of 6 living on ₤20,000 --------__ has twins on the way A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



7 December 2004

Mother of 6 living on ₤20,000 benefits has twins on the way A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



Med schools paid to take -------- students A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



7 December 2004

Med schools paid to take inferior students A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



7 December 2004

Gloria was close to death. The problem wasn't AIDS or poverty... it was that the NHS had stolen

all the ------. A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



5 December 2004

Gloria was close to death. The problem wasn't AIDS or poverty... it was that the NHS had stolen

all the nurses. A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



5 December 2004

Outrage over new 'fast-track' ---------------- for teens... no questions asked A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



5 December 2004

Outrage over new 'fast-track' contraception for teens... no questions asked A prominent Labour politician will announce today that he is defecting to the Liberal Democrats in protest at Tony Blair's "lies" over Iraq. The defection of Brian Sedgemore, who is standing down after 27 years as a Labour MP, threatens to upset Mr Blair's apparently unstoppable campaign for a historic third term. Declaring that "enough is enough", Mr Sedgemore also reveals that a small group of unnamed fellow MPs who are standing down are secretly planning to leave the Labour Party in protest at Mr Blair's leadership after the election. His decision to defect will intensify the escalating row over the legality of the war which was yesterday thrust to the centre of the election campaign.



5 December 2004


Are you politically Are you politically savvy?savvy?

Quiz & RaffleQuiz & Raffle

When did Britain join the European Union?

Are you politically savvy?

1973

Who is the leader of the Conservative Party?


Michael Howard

How many MPs are in the House of Commons?


659

Who has been tipped to be the next Labour leader after Tony Blair?


Gordon Brown

Please join us for the next ‘Mind the Gap’ session:Please join us for the next ‘Mind the Gap’ session:

Part 1 - Part 1 - Traveling ‘Roundabout’ the UK:Traveling ‘Roundabout’ the UK: Discovering England, Scotland & WalesDiscovering England, Scotland & Wales

Part 2 - Part 2 - Minding the Gap:Minding the Gap: A Panel Discussion on UK/US A Panel Discussion on UK/US DifferencesDifferences

Tuesday, May 31Tuesday, May 31

What’s Next?

Same time & placeSame time & place

Documents

A Pre-Departure Orientation Program on Contemporary British Culture UK Politics and Current Events Order! Order!?