UK POLITICS ESSAY PLANS
1. Evaluate how significant the role of the opposition is in the British political
system
2. House of Lords VS House of Commons
3. Are the Lords a useful parliamentary function
4. Evaluate the extent to which constitutional reforms introduced since 1997 have
been successful in meeting their objectives.
5. Evaluate the view that the PM has power over the cabinet.
6. Why is an uncodified constitution better than a codified?
7. Evaluate the view that the Prime Minister is the dominant force in British politics
8. Should Devolution be extended?
9. Should there be more constitutional reforms?
10. To what extent are judges both neutral and independent?
11. How effective are backbench MPs? Do backbenchers play an important
role in the HOC?
12. ‘Who has the most power – Parliament or Government?
13. To what extent is there a conflict between the judiciary and the
executive?
14. Is the Judiciary too powerful or not powerful enough?
15. To what extent has the location of sovereignty in the UK political system
changed in recent years?’
16. To what extent has Parliament lost sovereignty?
17. Is the judiciary too powerful or not enough?
18. How effectively can the judiciary control the executive and legislative
power in the UK?
19. ‘To what extent has the location of sovereignty in the UK political system
changed in recent years?’
20. Evaluate the ability of the Supreme Court to control the power of the UK
government
21. Has there been a presidentalisation of the prime minister?
22. The Ways in which Judicial Independence and Judicial Neutrality is
Maintained.
23. Does the judiciary have power over parliament?
24. Does the Judiciary Successfully defend our civil rights and liberties?
25. Should there be a partly/wholly elected second chamber?
26. Assess the impact of the Human Rights Act
27. Is parliament effective at controlling the executive?
28. How effective is Parliament at performing its various functions?
29. To what extent are judges better guardians of rights and civil liberties
than parliament or the executive?
30. Is the HOC in greater need for reform than the HOL?
, Evaluate how significant the role of the opposition is in the British political system
• Hold government accountable - The Opposition is significant as they hold the
executive to account by exposing any failures of policy implementation. Effective
shadow ministers will expose the failings and mistakes of the government minister.
2019, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy MacDonald raised concerns in Parliament over Chris
Grayling’s competence accusing the minister of wasting £2.7 billion through his decisions and
calling for his resignation. This is a significant role as it informs the electorate on the
performance of their government allowing them to make informed decisions on their choice of
government at the next election. Scrutinize ministers
• Leader of the opposition isn’t significant as it is arguable, they won’t be listened to E.G. Ed
Miliband was often made fun of by media which doesn’t present him to public as viable option,
not taken seriously, PM may have trust in the MP in question and ignore any opposition towards
them If PM isn’t strong enough to remove them E.g. May, then its not effective
• Their scrutiny of the executive also ensures that ministers are held accountable to
parliament. In 2018, Home Secretary Amber Rudd was summoned by Labour to answer an
urgent question on the apparent contradictory evidence she had given to parliamentary select
committees over the use of targets in the Home Office and the impact that this had on the
Windrush scandal. She later resigned from office. This is a significant role as it ensures proper
oversight of the government although they can highlight issues
• Whilst this showed accountability, this is rare and often the oppositions opinion will not have
enough significance meaning to the government. These cases are not common. e.g. Priti Patel
accusations of bullying was ignored by PM which shows PM has final power. PM has final say
whether the minister leaves, not significant role in system however does highlight minister
issues to public which could weaken the government and PM reputation and effect next election
• Legislative programme- The opposition also ensure that the government justifies its
legislative programme. Opposition MPs scrutinise proposed legislation in Public Bill
Committees and propose amendments. They also offer scrutiny in the chamber through debate.
In 2021, David Lammy MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responded to the Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Bill by arguing it failed to tackle violence against women and girls and
restricted the right to protest. This is a significant role as it creates public debate around the
reasoned arguments on why they cannot support the government.
• They don’t have the power to change the government legislation agenda and programme as the
timetable is controlled by the executive meaning their influence isn’t important. Executive
dominates when it comes to legislation – majority size, Cabinet controls agenda, public bills
committee are selected by whips and loyal MPs, use of whips means the opposition won’t be
able to influence MPs vote. Gov has majority so can push through bill without opposition
support. Opposition can still push for amendments and help public understand bill but
government whip forms public bill committee
1. Evaluate how significant the role of the opposition is in the British political
system
2. House of Lords VS House of Commons
3. Are the Lords a useful parliamentary function
4. Evaluate the extent to which constitutional reforms introduced since 1997 have
been successful in meeting their objectives.
5. Evaluate the view that the PM has power over the cabinet.
6. Why is an uncodified constitution better than a codified?
7. Evaluate the view that the Prime Minister is the dominant force in British politics
8. Should Devolution be extended?
9. Should there be more constitutional reforms?
10. To what extent are judges both neutral and independent?
11. How effective are backbench MPs? Do backbenchers play an important
role in the HOC?
12. ‘Who has the most power – Parliament or Government?
13. To what extent is there a conflict between the judiciary and the
executive?
14. Is the Judiciary too powerful or not powerful enough?
15. To what extent has the location of sovereignty in the UK political system
changed in recent years?’
16. To what extent has Parliament lost sovereignty?
17. Is the judiciary too powerful or not enough?
18. How effectively can the judiciary control the executive and legislative
power in the UK?
19. ‘To what extent has the location of sovereignty in the UK political system
changed in recent years?’
20. Evaluate the ability of the Supreme Court to control the power of the UK
government
21. Has there been a presidentalisation of the prime minister?
22. The Ways in which Judicial Independence and Judicial Neutrality is
Maintained.
23. Does the judiciary have power over parliament?
24. Does the Judiciary Successfully defend our civil rights and liberties?
25. Should there be a partly/wholly elected second chamber?
26. Assess the impact of the Human Rights Act
27. Is parliament effective at controlling the executive?
28. How effective is Parliament at performing its various functions?
29. To what extent are judges better guardians of rights and civil liberties
than parliament or the executive?
30. Is the HOC in greater need for reform than the HOL?
, Evaluate how significant the role of the opposition is in the British political system
• Hold government accountable - The Opposition is significant as they hold the
executive to account by exposing any failures of policy implementation. Effective
shadow ministers will expose the failings and mistakes of the government minister.
2019, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy MacDonald raised concerns in Parliament over Chris
Grayling’s competence accusing the minister of wasting £2.7 billion through his decisions and
calling for his resignation. This is a significant role as it informs the electorate on the
performance of their government allowing them to make informed decisions on their choice of
government at the next election. Scrutinize ministers
• Leader of the opposition isn’t significant as it is arguable, they won’t be listened to E.G. Ed
Miliband was often made fun of by media which doesn’t present him to public as viable option,
not taken seriously, PM may have trust in the MP in question and ignore any opposition towards
them If PM isn’t strong enough to remove them E.g. May, then its not effective
• Their scrutiny of the executive also ensures that ministers are held accountable to
parliament. In 2018, Home Secretary Amber Rudd was summoned by Labour to answer an
urgent question on the apparent contradictory evidence she had given to parliamentary select
committees over the use of targets in the Home Office and the impact that this had on the
Windrush scandal. She later resigned from office. This is a significant role as it ensures proper
oversight of the government although they can highlight issues
• Whilst this showed accountability, this is rare and often the oppositions opinion will not have
enough significance meaning to the government. These cases are not common. e.g. Priti Patel
accusations of bullying was ignored by PM which shows PM has final power. PM has final say
whether the minister leaves, not significant role in system however does highlight minister
issues to public which could weaken the government and PM reputation and effect next election
• Legislative programme- The opposition also ensure that the government justifies its
legislative programme. Opposition MPs scrutinise proposed legislation in Public Bill
Committees and propose amendments. They also offer scrutiny in the chamber through debate.
In 2021, David Lammy MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responded to the Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Bill by arguing it failed to tackle violence against women and girls and
restricted the right to protest. This is a significant role as it creates public debate around the
reasoned arguments on why they cannot support the government.
• They don’t have the power to change the government legislation agenda and programme as the
timetable is controlled by the executive meaning their influence isn’t important. Executive
dominates when it comes to legislation – majority size, Cabinet controls agenda, public bills
committee are selected by whips and loyal MPs, use of whips means the opposition won’t be
able to influence MPs vote. Gov has majority so can push through bill without opposition
support. Opposition can still push for amendments and help public understand bill but
government whip forms public bill committee
