Introduction: What are the key current challenges in UK politics?

Interview with Vince Cable

This course takes the form of a series of questions put to Sir Vince Cable, a senior politician and former leader of the Liberal Democrats who served as Business Secretary throughout 2010-15. In the first module, Vince Cable introduces himself and offers a brief overview of his political career before answering the question: “What are the key current challenges in UK politics?”. Then, in the second module, we ask: “How can minor or smaller parties impact the political agenda?”. In the third module we think more about the concept of a multi-party system in the UK with the question: “Will we see more coalition governments?”. In the fourth module, we ask “Should we reform the UK electoral system?”, before in the fifth module turning to the question: “How important is the personality of a Prime Minister in UK politics?”. In the sixth module, Vince Cable answers the question “How much power and/or agency do Cabinet ministers have?”, drawing on his own experiences in Cabinet. In the seventh module, we think about the relationship between politicians and the media, before in the eighth module asking: “What are some of the factors affecting how MPs vote?”. In the ninth module, we think about whether private and commercial interests pose a threat to UK democracy, before in the tenth module turning to the issue of whether political parties should be state-funded. In the eleventh module, we ask: “What are the key challenges currently facing UK business?”. Then, in the twelfth module, we touch on the controversial and current topic of House of Lords reform, before finally in the thirteenth module exploring the subject of devolution in the UK.

Introduction: What are the key current challenges in UK politics?

In this module Sir Vince Cable answers the question: “What are the key current challenges in UK politics?”, focusing in particular on: (i) his career in politics, including his role in Cabinet during the coalition government of 2010-15; (ii) his role as party leader of the Liberal Democrats; (iii) his analysis of current economic affairs; (iv) his analysis of the key challenges facing UK politicians, including climate change.