1.  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?

2. Are coalitions such a bad thing for democracy? TBAT explain at least 3 advantages of single-party & coalition govt To define the term ‘mandate’ To compare the pros and cons of both systems & reach a judgement  LOs

3.  Your task Read Watts, p.56 and note down 3 examples of when there have been single-party governments in recent years with sizeable majorities. Note down too when the govt has had a limited majority or no majority at all. Read Watts, p.56 and note down 3 examples of when there have been single-party governments in recent years with sizeable majorities. Note down too when the govt has had a limited majority or no majority at all. Note down the advantages of single party governments Note down the advantages of single party governments  How might the author of the book review his comments in the light of the 2010 GE result?  How might the author of the book review his comments in the light of the 2010 GE result?

4. Advantages Pinpoints responsibility - accountability Pinpoints responsibility - accountability Leads to strong, stable & lasting govt. Leads to strong, stable & lasting govt. Quick and clear results Quick and clear results Coalitions lead to division and compromise by comparison Coalitions lead to division and compromise by comparison At her height Thatcher governed with a majority of 144 seats over other parties

5. 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?

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

7. Threats to mandate Electorate don’t support every manifesto pledge Electorate don’t support every manifesto pledge Manifestos are deliberately vague, e.g. ‘committed to reducing public spending’ Manifestos are deliberately vague, e.g. ‘committed to reducing public spending’ Events change manifesto pledges, e.g. 9/11, Credit Crunch etc. Events change manifesto pledges, e.g. 9/11, Credit Crunch etc. Lack of clear majority, e.g. 2005 Labour enjoyed 32.5% of popular vote Lack of clear majority, e.g. 2005 Labour enjoyed 32.5% of popular vote

8.  Your task Read p.58-9 and make a scales chart showing points in favour and points against coalitions. Read p.58-9 and make a scales chart showing points in favour and points against coalitions. Reach a judgement overall on whether they are good or bad for democracy Reach a judgement overall on whether they are good or bad for democracy  Extension. Do you think the experience of the Con-Dem coalition has improved the reputation of coalitions?  Extension. Do you think the experience of the Con-Dem coalition has improved the reputation of coalitions?

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

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

11. Plenary Plenary 3 strengths of single-party government 3 strengths of single-party government 3 strengths of coaltions 3 strengths of coaltions Explain the term mandate Explain the term mandate Reach a judgement on coalitions. Do the disadvantages outweigh the advantages? Reach a judgement on coalitions. Do the disadvantages outweigh the advantages? Oooh, Mr Higgins it’s so difficult to decide!