Paper 2: UK Government
Is formatted the same as Paper 1.
● Answer 1 source-based question from a choice of 2.
● Answer 1 essay questions from a choice of 2.
● Answer 1 non-core ideologies question on Feminism.
For the non-source essays you are required on this paper to use synoptic links = referring to
content, specifically key terms, from Paper 1. E.g. In answering a question on devolution you
could refer to legitimacy, referendums, participation crisis, franchise.
Paper 2 Specification RAG Sheets
PAPER 2: UK Government
1. The Constitution
Keywords: Constitution, Unentrenched (entrenched), Uncodified (codified), Unitary (federal), R A G
Parliamentary sovereignty, The rule of law, Statute law, Common law, Conventions,
Authoritative works, Treaties, Devolution
1.1 The nature and sources of the UK constitution, including:
● an overview of the development of the constitution through key historical
documents:
○ Magna Carta (1215); Bill of Rights (1689); Act of Settlement (1701);
Acts of Union (1707); Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949); The European
Communities Act (1972)
● the nature of the UK constitution: unentrenched, uncodified and unitary, and
the ‘twin pillars’ of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law
● the five main sources of the UK constitution: statute law; common law;
conventions; authoritative works and treaties (including European Union
law).
1.2 How the constitution has changed since 1997.
● Under Labour 1997–2010: House of Lords reforms, electoral reform;
devolution; the Human Rights Act 1998; and the Supreme Court.
● Under the Coalition 2010–15: Fixed Term Parliaments; further devolution to
Wales.
● Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further
devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum).
1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution
on the UK.
● Devolution in England.
● Scottish Parliament and Government.
● Welsh Assembly and Government.
● Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.
1.4 Debates on further reform.
● An overview of the extent to which the individual reforms since 1997 listed in
section 1.2 above should be taken further.
● The extent to which devolution should be extended in England.
● Whether the UK constitution should be changed to be entrenched and
codified, including a bill of rights.
, PAPER 2: UK Government
2. Parliament
Keywords: Parliament, House of Commons, House of Lords, Confidence and supply, Salisbury R A G
Convention, Parliamentary privilege, Legislative bills, Public bill committees, Backbenchers,
Select committees, Opposition
2.1 The structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
● The selection of members of the House of Commons and House of Lords,
including the different types of Peers.
● The main functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the
extent to which these functions are fulfilled.
2.2 The comparative powers of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
● The exclusive powers of the House of Commons.
● The main powers of the House of Lords.
● Debates about the relative power of the two houses.
2.3 The legislative process.
● The different stages a bill must go through to become law.
● The interaction between the Commons and the Lords during the legislative
process, including the Salisbury Convention.
2.4 The ways in which Parliament interacts with the Executive.
● The role and significance of backbenchers in both Houses, including the
importance of parliamentary privilege.
● The work of select committees.
● The role and significance of the opposition.
● The purpose and nature of ministerial question time, including Prime
Minister’s Questions.
PAPER 2: UK Government
3. Prime Minister
Keywords: Executive, Cabinet, Minister, Government department, Royal prerogative, R A G
Secondary legislation, Individual responsibility, Collective responsibility, Presidential
government.
3.1 The structure, role, and powers of the Executive.
● Its structure, including the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, junior ministers and
government departments.
● Its main roles, including proposing legislation, proposing a budget, and
making policy decisions within laws and budget.
● The main powers of the Executive, including Royal Prerogative powers,
initiation of legislation and secondary legislative power.
3.2 The concept of ministerial responsibility.
● The concept of individual ministerial responsibility.
● The concept of collective ministerial responsibility.
3.3 The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The power of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
● The factors governing the Prime Minister’s selection of ministers.
● The factors that affect the relationship between the Cabinet and the Prime
Minister, and the ways they have changed and the balance of power between
the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
Is formatted the same as Paper 1.
● Answer 1 source-based question from a choice of 2.
● Answer 1 essay questions from a choice of 2.
● Answer 1 non-core ideologies question on Feminism.
For the non-source essays you are required on this paper to use synoptic links = referring to
content, specifically key terms, from Paper 1. E.g. In answering a question on devolution you
could refer to legitimacy, referendums, participation crisis, franchise.
Paper 2 Specification RAG Sheets
PAPER 2: UK Government
1. The Constitution
Keywords: Constitution, Unentrenched (entrenched), Uncodified (codified), Unitary (federal), R A G
Parliamentary sovereignty, The rule of law, Statute law, Common law, Conventions,
Authoritative works, Treaties, Devolution
1.1 The nature and sources of the UK constitution, including:
● an overview of the development of the constitution through key historical
documents:
○ Magna Carta (1215); Bill of Rights (1689); Act of Settlement (1701);
Acts of Union (1707); Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949); The European
Communities Act (1972)
● the nature of the UK constitution: unentrenched, uncodified and unitary, and
the ‘twin pillars’ of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law
● the five main sources of the UK constitution: statute law; common law;
conventions; authoritative works and treaties (including European Union
law).
1.2 How the constitution has changed since 1997.
● Under Labour 1997–2010: House of Lords reforms, electoral reform;
devolution; the Human Rights Act 1998; and the Supreme Court.
● Under the Coalition 2010–15: Fixed Term Parliaments; further devolution to
Wales.
● Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further
devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum).
1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution
on the UK.
● Devolution in England.
● Scottish Parliament and Government.
● Welsh Assembly and Government.
● Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.
1.4 Debates on further reform.
● An overview of the extent to which the individual reforms since 1997 listed in
section 1.2 above should be taken further.
● The extent to which devolution should be extended in England.
● Whether the UK constitution should be changed to be entrenched and
codified, including a bill of rights.
, PAPER 2: UK Government
2. Parliament
Keywords: Parliament, House of Commons, House of Lords, Confidence and supply, Salisbury R A G
Convention, Parliamentary privilege, Legislative bills, Public bill committees, Backbenchers,
Select committees, Opposition
2.1 The structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
● The selection of members of the House of Commons and House of Lords,
including the different types of Peers.
● The main functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the
extent to which these functions are fulfilled.
2.2 The comparative powers of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
● The exclusive powers of the House of Commons.
● The main powers of the House of Lords.
● Debates about the relative power of the two houses.
2.3 The legislative process.
● The different stages a bill must go through to become law.
● The interaction between the Commons and the Lords during the legislative
process, including the Salisbury Convention.
2.4 The ways in which Parliament interacts with the Executive.
● The role and significance of backbenchers in both Houses, including the
importance of parliamentary privilege.
● The work of select committees.
● The role and significance of the opposition.
● The purpose and nature of ministerial question time, including Prime
Minister’s Questions.
PAPER 2: UK Government
3. Prime Minister
Keywords: Executive, Cabinet, Minister, Government department, Royal prerogative, R A G
Secondary legislation, Individual responsibility, Collective responsibility, Presidential
government.
3.1 The structure, role, and powers of the Executive.
● Its structure, including the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, junior ministers and
government departments.
● Its main roles, including proposing legislation, proposing a budget, and
making policy decisions within laws and budget.
● The main powers of the Executive, including Royal Prerogative powers,
initiation of legislation and secondary legislative power.
3.2 The concept of ministerial responsibility.
● The concept of individual ministerial responsibility.
● The concept of collective ministerial responsibility.
3.3 The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The power of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
● The factors governing the Prime Minister’s selection of ministers.
● The factors that affect the relationship between the Cabinet and the Prime
Minister, and the ways they have changed and the balance of power between
the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
