UK Politics: A United Kingdom? University Tutorial With Dr Huw Lewis & Dr Lucy Taylor From Aberystwyth University

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In this live interactive UK Politics tutorial, we will be joined by Dr Huw Lewis and Dr Lucy Taylor, leading academics from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University, who will ask the question: A United Kingdom?

While almost unthinkable a generation ago, today there is serious debate regarding whether the UK union can survive. This is due to diverse factors, including: the rise of independence movements (especially in Scotland, but also in Wales); growing interest in reunification across the island of Ireland; and even a sense among certain English voters that England is treated unfairly within the union. Political and constitutional divisions have also been heightened by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Using interactive methods, this session examines the arguments advanced by key participants in this debate, such as Nicola Sturgeon, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Mark Drakeford. It explores their different visions for the future of the United Kingdom and invites students to evaluate their proposals.

The full context/introduction to this live and interactive discussion is provided below in a Headliner recorded resource which can be watched as a class activity or independently in preparation for the discussion.

The session aims to deepen students’ understanding of the topic whilst enabling them to access and experience a live online university tutorial.

A level Syllabus Themes: UK’s unwritten constitution; Parliamentary sovereignty; devolution; nationalism and unionism in different parts of the UK.

Lecturer Profiles (Please Click): Dr Huw Lewis & Dr Lucy Taylor

Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom, or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.

As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but the Headliner recording will continue to be accessible.

Suitable for: Key Stage 5, and equivalent, students studying or with an interest in studying Politics, International Relations and related subjects. Teachers and members of school staff, as always, are welcome too and participants can join as individuals from school/college or home, or as a group from school/college.

Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students are asked to watch the Headliner recording and consider some of the key issues/questions raised.

The IT Setup: The event will be run on Bluejeans and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.

Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below:

Register here