...How has Coalition Government affected Party Politics in the U.K? The arrival of a coalition government formed between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party in 2010 has affected UK party politics in various ways, the nature of which is looked into below. The governing of a country by a coalition of two political parties with differing political stances will involve negotiation between and some degree of compromise on behalf of the two parties. This is necessary in order to come to some form of agreement on key policies, such as those affecting the economy, unemployment, crime, environmental concerns, welfare, law and order and education, amongst other policy areas. The agreements reached are also, to a certain degree, in a balance of compliance with key political beliefs or philosophies of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in terms of their respective guiding principles on areas such as social justice, the appropriate degree of state intervention and the importance of equality and availability of opportunity within society. The rise to power of a coalition government has made Consensus politics a key feature of UK party politics, since the nature of a coalition involves broad agreement on most basic policies between the two major political parties forming the coalition; the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. The ability and will to negotiate and agree is of key importance if a coalition is to be able to govern effectively, in an organised...
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...SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE BORDERS EVALUATION OF CASHMERE MADE IN SCOTLAND PROMOTION 2001-2003 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background In recent years UK manufacturing has suffered the effects of increased global competition from low cost manufacturers in the developing economies. The lower cost of materials, particularly labour, has forced UK manufacturers to maximise efficiency and production techniques to enable them to compete. Partly as a consequence, many manufacturing companies have taken the strategic decision to move to higher quality or specification products, which command a price premium in the market, with a hopeful corresponding impact on margins. The UK Textiles Industry is no exception to this trend and many companies that were unable to diversify, or had niche markets that proved unsustainable, have been taken over or ceased trading with the loss of many job opportunities. The Textiles Industry is important to the Scottish economy. It employs 22,000 people and with an output of £1.2 billion contributes £500 million to the country’s manufactured exports. The Scottish Borders is heavily dependent on this industry and in particular knitwear, which employs around 4,000 people. Recognising the sensitivity of the knitting and weaving sectors to the economy in the Scottish Borders, and following the successful action against the punitive import duties proposed by the USA government arising...
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...On September 18, 2014, Scottish citizens took part in a historic referendum that would decide whether Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom, or they would become an independent country. The vote had and will have many political and economic implications for Scotland and the United Kingdom. Scotland voted against independence in a 55% to 45% difference and this was due to a variety of political and economic reasons. While some believe that an independent Scotland would be better off, the majority of its citizens believed that remaining part of the United Kingdom would be better for the country. Scotland is better off staying part of the United Kingdom. One of their primary arguments for Scottish independence was that an...
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...Constitutional reform since 1997 has not gone far enough. Discuss. I believe that constitutional reform since 1997, ultimately has not gone far enough in the UK. Such reforms in the UK, including the House of Lords Act 1999 took reform in Westminster to quite a large extent, but this has be limited by a few factors. In addition, the Human Right Act 1998 was another significant reform under the Blair government allowing citizens clearer light on their rights and freedoms, however this Act of Parliament is not entrenched within the UK’s constitution. The electoral system has also been subject to interpretation under constitutional reform such as PR systems used for Scottish Parliament and devolved assemblies. The House of Lords Act 1999 put through under the Blair government removed all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords. This meant that Parliament’s lower chamber could be seen as a more legitimate body as unelected and unappointed peers were seen as undemocratic and illegitimate to the UK political system. This also meant that there would be a more confident role of scrutiny in the House of Lords as appointed peers would be deemed fairer on legislation in the Lords chamber. An example of the House of Lords exerting this new role is the blocking of the NHS reform which led to the government having to amend their plans, as well as the Hunting Act 2004. Conversely, this reform to the House of Lords could be argued to have not gone far enough as 92 hereditary peers...
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...all involved parties – Scotland, the United Kingdom, and their international allies – for the Scottish Independence Referendum to result in a majority “No” vote. The primary historical perspective to influence the referendum is political...
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...differences in social aspects and that communities like to be recognised as their own state. The idea of separatism in many cases can also arise when there is a perception that exploitation of local resources by national government produces little economic gain for the region. This was the case in Scotland recently and was one of the main arguments for Scotland leaving the UK. Before its union with England, Scotland was a separate kingdom, with its own national church, separate education and legal systems and its own language called Gaelic which is spoken in parts of the country. One of the main problems the Scottish National Party felt was that the exploitation of the North Sea oil and gas had done little to develop the economy of Scotland. The drive for independence was partly satisfied by the establishment in 1999 of a parliament with limited tax-raising powers. In 2007, the Scottish National Party became...
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...government; it is about Scotland’s people making a democratic decision about power in the values that reflects its own people and their priorities. If Scotland was to be independent, the decisions will reflect the people who live and work there. The three main principles of Scotland’s independency are: the people of Scotland will always get governments they vote for; they will control their own resources and make their own decisions about their economy and lastly, will decide...
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...“Constitutional reform since 1997 has not gone far enough.” Discuss. I agree with the view that constitutional reform since 1997 has not gone far enough to a large extent. The House of Lords Act of 1999 has reformed the House of Lords, the Human Rights Act of 1998 was an important area of constitutional reform, as well as the Freedom of Information Act of 2000 and the devolution of powers. The electoral system used in the UK has also been subject to discussion over reform however all constitutional reform can be said to have not gone far enough. The House of Lords Act of 1999 removed all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords. This meant that the House of Lords could be seen as more legitimate as both unelected and not appointed peers would be seen as undemocratic and illegitimate. The removal of hereditary peers means that the House of Lords are more confident in their role in scrutinising and blocking legislation as they feel more legitimate. An example of the House of Lords exerting this role is the blocking of NHS reform which led to the government rethinking and amending plans, as well as the Hunting Act 2004. However reform of the House of Lords could be said to have not gone far enough, 92 hereditary peers still remain in the House of Lords, and the Liberal Democrats call for a wholly elected upper chamber, to make Parliament fully accountable. The House of Lords are also limited in the fact that they can only delay legislation for up to a year and therefore...
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...Briefing Note on NHS Highland for New Staff Members National Health Service Highland (NHS Highland) is a public sector organisation and is classed as being in the Tertiary Sector as it provides a service to the public rather than producing a tangible product. NHS Highland serves a population of approximately 310,000 residents and provides a wide range of services across the largest land area (~40%) of any health authority in Scotland. NHS Highland is managed by a Board of Executive and Non-Executive Directors and is accountable to the Scottish Government through the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The main services provided by NHS Highland are: Healthcare, in the form of General Practitioner Surgeries, Hospital services, Adult Social Care and Dentistry. The main customers (patients/service users) are the general public within the Highland Region and also to provide services to visitors to the region too. Additionally, NHS highland have internal customers to whom we provide services. NHS Highland’s purpose and goals are to place quality first to deliver better health, better care and better value. They have “The Blue Triangle” (see fig 1.) which captures the key elements of the Highland Quality Approach (HQA). “The Highland Quality Approach captures the spirit of how NHS Highland is working to improve care and outcomes for people in Highland Region. It describes ways of working, values and behaviour. It recognises how important it is to improve the...
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...After the Labour party’s strong victory in the 1997 general election, winning 179 seats, they have made moves and provisions towards constitutional reform. Indeed, the two prime ministers; Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have done much for reform over the years, as illustrated by devolution and the human rights act. Indeed, they made provision for reform in 4 key areas, modernisation, and greater protection of rights, democratisation and decentralisation. However, it can be argued that their reform has been limited, and much more can be done for constitutional reform. Firstly, it is clear that the modernisation aspects of the reform have been severely limited. Indeed, this can be illustrated by the reform of the House of Lords. Over the past 10 years, only part 1 of the reform process has taken place. This has included the removal of over 600 hereditary peers to only 92. However, no reform for a partially or fully elected second chamber has taken place. Until this happens it is argued that the Lords is not democratically legitimate as all policy making institutions must have legitimacy. By merely appointing the members of the Lords means that whilst they may have expertise, they are not representing the public which means they are not socially accountable. Also, the Wright report, which includes provisions towards electing members of select committee chairs by secret ballot, and to end the Winterton rule on public bill committees is still stuck within the legislative process....
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...Labour and Constitutional Reform ✓ Labour’s Reforms ✓ The Changing Constitution ✓ Party Views and Manifestoes ✓ Assessment and Evaluation ✓ Evidence 1. Labour’s Reforms o The constitutional reforms initiated by the Labour Government elected in 1997 together promise to transform the institutional structure of the United Kingdom. ▪ The Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly are the most tangible signs of this transformation but other constitutional reforms are either in being or well under way …… ▪ including the Human Rights Act of 1998 (incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights), ▪ a directly-elected mayor and assembly for London, ▪ a reformed House of Lords ▪ and Freedom of Information legislation. ▪ Although reform of the electoral system for Westminster now seems a somewhat distant prospect, the 1999 elections to the Welsh Assembly, to the Scottish Parliament and to the European Parliament were all conducted using electoral systems very different from the traditional first-past-the-post method. ▪ Referendums have been widely used, and more promised o Lecture by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, to the Constitution Unit, Westminster. 8 December 1998 o No other Government this century has embarked upon so significant or wide-ranging a programme of constitutional reform as the New Labour Government...
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...After the Labour party’s strong victory in the 1997 general election, winning 179 seats, they have made moves and provisions towards constitutional reform. Indeed, the two prime ministers; Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have done much for reform over the years, as illustrated by devolution and the human rights act. Indeed, they made provision for reform in 4 key areas, modernisation, and greater protection of rights, democratisation and decentralisation. However, it can be argued that their reform has been limited, and much more can be done for constitutional reform. Firstly, it is clear that the modernisation aspects of the reform have been severely limited. Indeed, this can be illustrated by the reform of the House of Lords. Over the past 10 years, only part 1 of the reform process has taken place. This has included the removal of over 600 hereditary peers to only 92. However, no reform for a partially or fully elected second chamber has taken place. Until this happens it is argued that the Lords is not democratically legitimate as all policy making institutions must have legitimacy. By merely appointing the members of the Lords means that whilst they may have expertise, they are not socially accountable. These include the likes of Alan Sugar and Sebastian Coe. Also, the Wright report, which includes provisions towards electing members of select committee chairs by secret ballot, and to end the Winterton rule on public bill committees is still stuck within the legislative process...
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...Unit 3: Thinking Report ‘Scottish independence’ Lauren Pratt – 1200370 As the SNP came to authority four years ago there has been a surge of interest across the country. Becoming independent will mean the people who care most about Scotland will be taken the decision about our future. A debate was presented by Stewart Hosie, a Member of Parliament for Dundee East, who was in favour of the motion besides Jenny Marra, who was the second presenter, who is a member of the Scottish Parliament for Dundee North East, Scottish Labour, was in opposition to the motion. Stewart Hosie gave an analytical, quantitative and fact driven argument. Jenny Marra gave a biographical, personal and historical argument. Both played a conception of their audience as largely conservative. In the debate ‘It is time for Scotland to become independent,’ presented on the 17th of September at University of Abertay, Stewart Hosie stated that for many countries, independence is taken for granted, and Scotland should be given that opportunity also. The biggest part of his argument was a number of statistics which he used to show the sustainability and competency to succeed of an independent Scottish nation by use of taxation, and by exploitation of the North Sea. He encouraged that large manufacturing plants should be returned to Scotland, and through these opportunities, this nation would thrive if no longer dependent on the rest of the UK. On the other hand Jenny Marra took a less statistical approach...
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...Source:ComfortDelGro Corportion Overview ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, an investment holding company, operates as a land transport company. It operates a fleet of public scheduled and private charter buses; an inter-city bus station; taxis under Comfort and CityCab brand names; and underground driverless rail system and light rapid transit systems in Sengkang and Punggol. The company also engages in the rental, leasing, and distribution of cars; and provision of automotive engineering services, including fleet maintenance, general repairs, engine diagnostic and tune-up services, system overhaul, crash repairs, and automotive consultancy services, as well as vehicle design and assembly, component re-manufacturing, vehicle recovery, and towing services. In addition, it offers vehicle inspection and testing services comprising testing, calibration, inspection, consultancy, and training services to various industries, such as the aerospace, building and construction, electronics, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, engineering, chemical, and biotechnology. Further, the company operates ComfortDelGro driving centre, which provides driving instruction for motorcars, motorcycles, bus, and taxi vocational license, as well as corporate training services. Additionally, it offers insurance broking services for traditional insurance products and alternative risk financing instruments; and outdoor advertising services. The company operates a fleet of 46,200 vehicles. It operates in Singapore...
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..."William Wallace: And if this is your army, why does it go? Soldier: We didn't come here to fight for them. Second Soldier: Home, the English are too many! William Wallace: Sons of Scotland! I am William Wallace. Second Soldier: William Wallace is seven feet tall! William Wallace: Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds. And if HE were here, he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes, and bolts of lightning from his arse. [Scottish army laughs] William Wallace: I AM William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my country men, here, in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight? Soldier: Against that? No, we will run, and we will live. William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM! “ -William Wallace One of the most well-known monologues in movie history is William Wallace’s speech before the Battle of Stirling. It shows why he is such an inspiring leader. It also contains just enough humor and seriousness to be taken to heart. This must be the reason for the name behind it all: Braveheart, perhaps Mel Gibson’s finest film. Mel Gibson is the star and director of...
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