Suzanne Franks's blog

Still more developments in the news you should keep abreast of in your revision. We had a discussion about Parliamentary priviledge last week - so I hope you noticed on Friday that the 3 dodgy MPs  (and  a Lord) went to court again still pleading this as a defence to their expenses fiddling. But the judge decided otherwise and threw it all out.

As I mentioned many times a crucial part of revision for Central Government paper is to keep well abreast of the news agenda, especially as so many of the things we covered are changing fast - and the textbook is therefore out of date.  Earlier this week we went over the new 1922 committee procedures and the changing interpretation of collective ministerial responsibility in a coalition government. Yesterday there were further changes with the historic move to elect select committee chairs .

Sir Robert Worcestor, Chancellor of the University and founder of Britain's foremost polling organisations (now Ipsos Mori)  is coming to talk to students next Monday. As well as talking more generally about political polling he will also look in detail at the election results and what they mean. Sir Robert will be speaking in the Newsroom next Monday 24th May at 11.30. All first year students are strongly recommended to attend. This over view will be extremely helpful in your politics revision and you should also take the opportunity to question Sir Robert.

Some of you may have followed the row between Bob Geldof and the BBC this week, following a radio documentary about the misuse of aid in the 1980s.  This is obviously a controversial topic and the aid agencies have joined Geldof in attacking the BBC, as you can hear. on the latest episode of the Media Show.  This is also a matter close to my heart since my PhD thesis was on the reporting of famines.

If you believe the polls we may be in for a hung parliament later this year. Charter 2010 have started a campaign based around this possibility which includes comprehensive information on the constitutional issues. First Years in particular should check this out - it might give you ideas about some questions for the MPs we meet at Westminster next week.

I am sure that all first years will have noticed that hours after yesterday's  lecture on electoral reform and the iniquities of First Past the Post that the PM made a surprise announcement about a vote next week on changing the electoral system.  Although I pointed out that Labour cynically ignored the Jenkins commission on electoral reform in 1999 when it no longer needed Liberal support - lo and behold they have rediscovered their enthusiasm - when they reckon on needing Liberal support again.

Just back from some snowy days in Brussels, finding out about the intricacies of the Lisbon treaty and talking to officials. We also spent some time with the European press operation. They have remarkable facilities and resources available free for journalists and anyone who is interested.

In a move towards greater transparency and sharing, the BBC has recently allowed open access to its College of Journalism site.  Its offers a number of  resources  which might be useful to emerging journalists;  tips, advice, training and even jobs.

Power without Responsibility will finish next week with an overview of the digital revolution. For all the talk of a future of wide open transparency and infinite and promising democratic possibilities, Evgeny Morozov is one of those who draws attention to the darker sides of cyberspace and in particular the ways that authoritarian regimes might make use of the internet. He is on Radio 4's  Start the Week next Monday and I have put one of his recent articles on the module notes. Have a look at that.

 Here are details of the launch of the Orwell Prize which you are all invited to attend at the Frontline CLub.  The event is themed around Burma (and the link is of course Orwell's work Burmese Days written from his experience in the Burmese police) so should be very interesting. It is also well worth visiting the Frontline Club if you have never been there - and this is an opportunity to get in for free because most of their events are rather costly. However do remember to RSVP below if you are interested in attending.