Putting the Blair Hearing into Context

If you, and your students, are interested in the debate that has surrounded the recent testimony by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Labour Party) concerning the UK’s involvement in Iraq, you might have heard allegations that Blair abused his power. Reports on Blair’s testimony abound in the media, e.g. the BBC or the Guardian. Some live coverage is also available on YouTube. (If this gets too serious, check this out for comic relief on Blair, courtesy of Catherine Tate.)

But how is one to make sense of the debate? Several online resources provide guidance. The website of the British parliament provides much information and illustration to understand how the system works and what the powers of the Prime Minister and the majority party are – but also where potential checks and balances come from in a parliamentary system. In addition to lots of information, the site provides video coverage of current happenings in parliament; a searchable video archive of debates in the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and committees; podcasts explaining how parliament works; a virtual tour through the basement of Westminster, interactive illustrated explanations of how bills become law, and much more. If you’re looking to infuse your classes on British politics with some audio-visuals, this is a useful resource and a good starting point for any students beginning research on the policy process.