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Last Rights

The plot

When Tariq, a teenage tearaway steals a laptop and then disappears from sight, his best friend, Max, is determined to find out what has happened to him. His journey takes him from the bleakest corners of city housing estates to the opulent lifestyles of the most powerful politicians in the land.

En route, Max uncovers a sinister truth buried at the heart of Britain's newly elected government. He also finds support from the collective, a group of people who live a principled lifestyle and challenge the abuse of power which is unfolding. Unexpectedly, Max also starts to build a relationship with the Prime Minister's privileged daughter, Melissa.

Elected on a record low turnout of just 30%, the new government and its Prime Minister set about unstitching the fabric of British democracy. Using the media to manipulate public opinion and boost their own policies, they start by imposing a youth curfew and restricting freedom of the internet. The new government's main aim, though, is to pass an Enabling Act, which will suspend normal parliamentary procedure and allow them to push through some of their 'more radical' policies.

Last Rights exposes a world in which freedom of choice has been significantly undermined and where the governing powers seek to end democracy itself. The information Max is gathering could foil the government's plans. But will he realise its significance in time?

Last Rights programme notes

If you are a teacher and would like suggestions for classroom discussions based on the issues raised in Last Rights, please visit the following links: