Politics

It won't surprise me if anyone reading this has stopped simply by reading the title. Yes I know, Politics, for many people the most boring thing you could ever listen to. I mean at least if your watching it on the TV or hearing it on the radio you hardly need to concentrate. Yet reading it on someone's blog, hmmm no thanks. But in order for such information to sink in it is a good idea for me personally to write up my notes. Although I don't find Politics very interesting, it is a very important topic for a Journalist -no matter what type- to know so therefore this is the reason I am blogging about it. 


When talking about Local Politics, the top level of Politics is the County Council, then followed by City/District Councils. Ultimately, both can be kind of put together therefore creating a unitary authority. People who are in the 'Cabinet' (were not talking of a place you keep your glasses or fine china), are the highest ranking members of the Government. The Shadow Cabinet relates to rival parties. The often order would go - MPs - Cabinet - Shadow Cabinet - PMQ's. 
Civil Servants are the people who make/stop things from happening. These people are NOT elected, yet get paid a large sum of money to do their job. These people are neutral and are not on one specific political side. Ultimately, they are servants of the public. 


National Politics
The press are named the 4th estate in National Politics. Journalists sniff for corruption and check the politicians are doing their job. Not only this but Journalists have privilege to allow them to talk and write stories. The Police allow Journalists to do so as they want to show that they are doing their job properly, therefore allowing Journalists this privilege. 
John Wilkes is a hero of Journalism. He is also the only Journalist who has a statue which is situated off fleet street; the street where all the large newspapers were situated. 

Wilkes was forced into exile numerous times and called the King a liar. All of which are obviously defamatory statements. His newspaper was named The North Britton and attacked a number of people including Lord Brute, an MP. All in all Wilkes established privilege for us Journalists allowing us to write about parliament and allow for free speech and the constitutional basis of free speech. The rules of privilege means that you can report basically anything said in the House of Commons but as a Journalist you must not forget the Sub Judice rule which is contempt. 


Now going on to fair comment, it provides a defence if a comment is an opinion, supported by facts, is honest and is in the matter of the public interest. With your comment you can basically say what you like about politicians and in newspapers there is no need for balance. Consequently, in TV and radio you are expected to be balanced. 


Voting in the commons is formally called a 'division'. The parties try to control the way in which their MP's vote through whipping, unless there is a free vote. Whipping relates to tough people who keep everyone in line. They are the parties enforcers and they threaten punishment for party members who ensure that they vote according to the official party policy. These people are selected by the Prime Minister. 
The people in the House of Lords are not elected, they are sometimes experts in their fields and also are often rich. All laws have to be approved by both Houses of Parliament and Lords. 
- The lords are not elected and do not represent any particular constituencies.
- They are not paid a salary, though they can claim expenses
- Lords are allowed to vote on changes to taxation and finance. 
-They never have the final word, though the Government may sometimes choose to compromise. 
The same amendments must be agreed by both Houses. In the event of a disagreement, the lords do not have the power to reject legislation. 


Green Paper = Consultation document, the start of a law. E.g. 'We think everyone in the UK should have a slice of pizza every day'. 
White Paper = When it comes back and is actually made into some sort of law. E.g. 'We like the idea of this but we think it should be two slices of pizza.'
This white paper then gets sent to the committee stage and experts will check the laws.
Hansard is the written document in Parliament. It can be described as the official report of the proceedings of Parliament and are published daily. 
Party Funding relates to subscriptions from members, donations from wealth donors and state funding. The number of party memberships have fallen dramatically so parties often rely heavily on wealthy donors. This then leas to claims of cash for honours - Lloyd George sold them openly.