Expert: Harry Hayfield - 2/27/2011

Question
I am an American who has just graduated university in America with a B.A in Applied Economics/Economics Policy. I am interested in doing an Msc. in the same subject in Britain, which would focus on things from a British standpoint rather than an American one. As such, I'd like to get a thorough grounding in British politics and try to put myself on a equal footing with UK-based students. I just have a few simple questions.

What is the best way to learn about British politics, the working over the government's legislature,policy history, party history, etc?

What are some good books to learn about those subjects?

Any other materials like documentaries/videos, etc that might help?

What are some good UK-based media sources/periodicals to follow the changes in the political arena?

Basically, any and all help you can give me in regard to putting mysel on track with learning about these topics would be great.

Answer
I am of the opinion that to understand British politics there is nothing better than watching a general election and therefore would like to make the following suggestion. Thanks to the resources of BBC Parliament, I have recorded every UK general election onto DVD (if you are interested this comes to a grand total of 22 DVD's) and I would be more than post them to you (if you would be willing to pay for the postage). Not only do the DVD contain the election results but interviews (and quite lengthy ones at that) with all the leading players in UK politics over the last 60 odd years and deal with all the major political incidents (including the Suez Crisis, the devaluation of the pound, the oil crisis and the routing of the Conservative government in 1997). If this would be of use then please do let me know via harryhayfield at googlemail dot com and I will be able to quote a postage price.