AQA • UK POLITICS ESSAY

Evaluate the extent to which pressure groups widen the distribution of political power. (30 marks) - ANS R1: - Help represent those often ignored by government. 2009 Gurkha campaign. Cp: Most successful groups are insider representing a minority such as the CIB. R3: Sectional groups play a key role of representing a group in society. National farmers union, 2013 badgers cull. Cp: Doesn't distribute political power insider groups just enclose more power for a minority. Animal rights groups...

Evaluate the view that the franchise should be further extended 1) Responsibility without rights For - Pay tax, marry, join army - Corbyn said that we cannot deny these people their full rights as citizens (could be seen as a political move as the youth are more likely to vote labour) - Conservatives dispute this but it is contradictory as 15 year olds voted in their leadership election Against - Eventhough they have these rights, most people do not use them - Their educational developm...

Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks) INTRODUCTION (agree) - The prime minister is undoubtedly the most powerful person in the UK political system. However, the powers of the PM are not unlimited. This essay will discuss the constraints and freedoms that the PM is subject to. It will conclude that normally PMs are very powerful. Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minster dominates UK politics (30 marks) AGREEMENT - The powers of the Prime Minis...

Success of devolution Point 1: Allowed for greater democracy and more effective local representation, with devolved bodies able to respond to the concerns of their electorates - Scotland: the population is more left wing than in the rest of the UK --> led to the election of a left wing SNP government that has introduced policies including free prescription charges, free tuition fees and a higher top rate of income tax than in the rest of the UK - Scotland Act 1998 granted the Scottish P...

Explain and analyse three ways in which judicial independence is upheld in the UK - ANS - Security of tenure - Judicial Appointments Commission (2006) - Separation of powers (the Supreme court is separate from the HOL and HOC, used to be Law Lords in the HOL) (2009) JAC and SOP are under the constitutional reform act (2005) Explain and analyse three ways in which judicial neutrality is upheld in the UK - ANS - Set salary (no bribes of pay rise from government officials) - Verdict must be...

Evaluation the extent to which devolution been a success? - . Provided more regional autonomy/ Still centralisation of power (Westminster) . Provides representation/ Unrepresented cultures .Maintains union/ Increasing independence requests Evaluate the view that the logical next step after devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the devolution of further powers to England? - .England is unproportionally represented/ Englands size and wealth would dominate a federal structure ...

Evaluate the view that the case for further english devolution is overdue. PARA 1 - P1 - metro mayors. There are 9 metro mayors and a 1 additional combined authorities without mayors and one Cornwall 'unitary authority with devolution'. A metro mayor oversees a combined authority, that is many councils come under this mayor such as the West of England and is given more powers. Including Greater London, 41% of England's population (representing 43% of economic output but just 14% of land ...

Evaluate the view that devolution has undermined the unity of the UK constitution - ANS - growth of nationalism VS parliamentary sovereignty - destabilised 2-party-system VS pluralism - weak local government VS innovative policies Evaluate the view that devolution has been a success - ANS - innovative local governments VS weak - pluralism/growth of minor parties VS destabilised election results - decentralised power VS nationalism Evaluate the view that devolution should be extended to En...

Evaluate the view that devolution has undermined the unity of the UK constitution - ANS - growth of nationalism VS parliamentary sovereignty - destabilised 2-party-system VS pluralism - weak local government VS innovative policies Evaluate the view that devolution has been a success - ANS - innovative local governments VS weak - pluralism/growth of minor parties VS destabilised election results - decentralised power VS nationalism Evaluate the view that devolution should be extended to En...

Evaluate the extent to which the EU has impacted UK institutions - judiciary- upholding ECHR executive- increased importance of PM legislature- policy standards Evaluate the extent to which the UK judiciary can control executive power - ultra vires implementation of HRA statutory rights evaluate the extent to which UK government can control parliament - secondary legislation Salisbury convention control of floor time Evaluate the view that the balance of power between the executive and ...