Politics class: UK faces legal battle over plans to stop cross-Channel migrants

This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

Specification:

• AQA Component 1, Section 3.1.1.1: The nature and sources of the British constitution: debates about the extent of rights in the UK

• Edexcel Component 1, 1.4: Rights in context: debates on the extent, limits and tensions within the UK’s rights-based culture

Background: what you need to know

This article looks at recently announced UK government plans to toughen its treatment of people who cross the Channel in small boats. There are concerns that the plan, which bars illegal migrants from claiming asylum and returning to the UK, may not be fully compatible with the Human Rights Act.

It notes the Labour Party’s opposition to the policy, which it regards as practically unworkable. It also mentions the wish expressed by some Conservatives, to go further than the government by withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights.

Click to read the article below and then answer the questions:

UK faces legal battle over plans to stop cross-Channel migrants

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

• ‘Rights are not securely protected in the UK.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement. [25 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 1

• Evaluate the view that rights are not securely protected in the UK.

  You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

  TIP: A related issue is the government proposal to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights, on which see this piece from last November:

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School