Helping A level Government and Politics students

Casa asked me about helping students studying government and politics independently, i.e. with no tuition etc. The best advice is to look at the Philip Allan publisher site a they have a wide range of materials, some of which can be used independently, for example a Workbook I wrote a couple of years ago. I also have my own materials. Contact neil_mcnaughton@hotmail.com and I can send some free. Hope this helps.

Corbyn and emotional intelligence

I have been concerned about Jeremy Corbyn's poor educational record from the start but now wonder about his social and emotional intelligence. I refer to his responses to Paris. This is not a time for deep analysis of geopolitics, nor is it a time to rake over past errors by Western powers. Political leaders need to show some nous at times like this. Empathy is needed more than lectures. On the shoot to kill issue (call it summary execution if you will), I also think he has misjudged things. When confronted with people who are prepared to lose their own life and take others with them, who have suicide belts on and are heavily armed, the idea of clapping them on the shoulder and saying,' come on now sonny, are you going to come quietly?'simply won't do. It is also a moot point whether this kingd of terrorism counts as warfare so the rule of law has to be suspended. Whatever the view, this is no time for such philosophising, it is a time for sorrow as well as vigilance. IS (please let's find another name - how about Stone Age fascism?) are beyond the pale however much we have messed up in the Middle East. That has to be stated firmly. Having said all that British politics may be better off with Corbyn. Apart from his healthier approach to discourse, he may well shift Labour away from its obsession with the centre ground and help it to become a real opposition of the centre-left. He won't survive, I'm sure, but theatre he leaves may have a new heart.