American Midterm Elections

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 17 October 2018 > In the News

For several months, the news in the U.S.A. has been dominated by the midterm elections. Depending on which survey you look at, these could mean a major revival for the Democratic Party, or a small bump on President Trump’s path to re-election. What are the midterms, and how important are they? The midterms are an … Continue reading “American Midterm Elections”

Talking About the U.S. Midterms

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 17 October 2018 > Webpicks

If you’d like to discuss the American midterm elections with your classes, we have selected some great teaching resources. This 1’30” video from Voice of America News is short and to the point. It’s usable for written comprehension (there’s no voiceover or dialogue). Usable from A2. This BBC video is 2’25” and is a simple-ish … Continue reading “Talking About the U.S. Midterms”

Did Britain Just Have A Youth Quake?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 16 June 2017 > In the News

Ever since the surprise result of the June 8 General Election, figures have been flying round traditional and social media claiming that the swing away from the Conservatives to Labour was caused by young voters “taking their revenge” for the Brexit referendum. It’s a good story. But is it true? After the Brexit referendum, there … Continue reading “Did Britain Just Have A Youth Quake?”

Another UK Electoral Surprise

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 10 June 2017 > In the News

The UK General Election that was supposed to consolidate the Conservative majority has a resulted in a hung parliament: no one party has reached the 326 seats needed for an absolute majority. The sitting Conservative government has asked the Queen to form a government with the backing of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party. The … Continue reading “Another UK Electoral Surprise”

Britain Goes to the Polls

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 08 June 2017 > In the News

The exception seems to be becoming the rule in Britain, where the latest election campaign, just like the last general election and the EU referendum, has not gone the way anyone expected. Britons go to the polls today for the election Theresa May announced on 18 April, and which the Conservatives were expected to win … Continue reading “Britain Goes to the Polls”

Young Voters Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 31 May 2017 > Webpicks

Bite the Ballot and The League of Young Voters are both British charities created by young people and focused on getting young people engaged in voting, especially in the general election on 8 June. Their videos, apps and animations are extremely teen-friendly and excellent for working on citizenship in class. This video encouraging young people … Continue reading “Young Voters Webpicks”

Young Voters

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 31 May 2017 > In the News

You might think young British voters would be getting jaded after two general elections and a referendum in two years. But on the contrary, young people are signing up to vote in record numbers. There has been a surge of voters registering to vote since the surprise announcement of the general election. Between Mrs May’s … Continue reading “Young Voters”

UK Elections

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 09 May 2017 > Ready to Use

This A2-level article enables pupils to understand simply the electoral system in the United Kingdom as both the UK and France go to the polls. It could be part of a topic for an EPI « Information, communication, citoyenneté » on different electoral systems, differences between a monarchy and a democracy, in connection with the parcours du … Continue reading “UK Elections”

Theresa May Calls for a Snap Election

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 April 2017 > In the News

The British government, led by Theresa May, has called a general election on 8 June, reversing the promises the Conservatives have made since the Brexit referendum vote on 23 June 2016. Although the Conservative government had called the Brexit referendum, its Prime Minister and many of its ministers campaigned leaving the E.U. When the “leave” … Continue reading “Theresa May Calls for a Snap Election”

2016: That Was the Year the Was

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 16 December 2016 > In the News

It was quite a year of surprises. And definitely not a good one for opinion-poll companies and forecasters. From Brexit to Trump, refugee athletes to the rock ‘n’ roll Nobel Literature laureate, we look back at 2016. Election forecasters are probably having a long rest, or thinking about a new career about now. Last January, … Continue reading “2016: That Was the Year the Was”