NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS FINAL PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
◉ Flexible constitution. Answer: It can be amended to keep up with a
public opinion. For example, gun control. In 1995 after a massacre at a
school in Dunblane the UK government severely restricted the ability of
people to own firearms, introducing tight gun control legislation. In the
US constitution, the right to bear arms is written the constitution for
historical reasons - The founders of the US wanted to justify taking up
weapons to fight against the British. It is very difficult to amend the US
constitution.
A codified constitution like in the US also has articles such as its first
amendment which guarantees the freedom of the press. In the UK it is
easier to remove such individual rights and liberties so this could be
considered a disadvantage.
◉ Parliamentary sovereignty. Answer: In the UK system, parliament, not
the people, is sovereign. Many politicians who opposed EU membership
argued it was undemocratic and did so on the grounds of defending
parliamentary sovereignty. In reality, parliament is not entirely
sovereign. First people vote in elections and this limits what parliament
can do and second people usually vote for a party and usually, though
not always, the parties control parliament.
,◉ Separation of powers. Answer: In the UK there is also in principle
separation of powers. The House of Commons, the House of Lords and
the executive are all distinct with each balancing and controlling the
other stopping either one from becoming too powerful. In reality, the
political parties dominate parliament. The Prime Minister and ministers,
who make up the executive all sit in parliament. It is parliament more
often than not which is controlled by the executive. For example, The
parties and particularly the government have the resources to hire special
advisors, influence the media and develop policy. No other branch has
these same resources. In addition, the prime minister has the power to
appoint members of the House of Lords too which weakens their ability
to provide a check on the executives' power.
◉ Rule of Law. Answer: The law is applied equally to everyone, no one
is above the law including political elites. In reality, conventions are not
laws. It is perfectly possible to do something which is unconstitutional
but is not technically illegal. An example would be the expense scandal
or the cash for the honours system. We of course also saw the supreme
court declare null and void the suspension of parliament by the prime
minister. A prime minister who did something that was unconstitutional
and also managed to get the Queen involved in the process too. To argue
also that everyone is treated equally is not entirely accurate. For
example, the Prime Minister's former advisor Dominic Cummings'
breach of Covid-19 rules. He was allowed to stay in his position and it
helped undermine trust in the government.
◉ Common vs Statute Law. Answer: Made by judges in court, using
precedent - decisions made in previous similar cases - to decide how
, they will judge a case before them. Statute law is made by parliament.
For a bill to be passed, it must be agreed to by a majority vote in both
houses of Parliament. If no statute law applies to cover a particular
situation, the common law will apply; however, statute law always
overrides common law.
◉ Royal Prerogative. Answer: The UK has a monarch with symbolic
power. The Monarch does regularly meet with the Prime Minister and
can advise and warn the Prime Minister but monarchical powers are in
effect devolved to the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet.
◉ UK Constitution. Answer: Combo of statutory laws (acts of
parliament), Common Law (judicial decisions) and tradition
◉ Parliamentary democracy. Answer: "A form of democracy that
operates through a popularly elected assembly and emphasizes the
importance of deliberation" (Heywood).
◉ Roles of Parliament. Answer: 1. Executive emerges from the party(s)
that command the confidence of the House of Commons
2. Parliament is sovereign constitutionally
3. Parliament exists to approve legislation and hold the executive to
account
4. Formatted around the principles of representation (territorial and
national)
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
◉ Flexible constitution. Answer: It can be amended to keep up with a
public opinion. For example, gun control. In 1995 after a massacre at a
school in Dunblane the UK government severely restricted the ability of
people to own firearms, introducing tight gun control legislation. In the
US constitution, the right to bear arms is written the constitution for
historical reasons - The founders of the US wanted to justify taking up
weapons to fight against the British. It is very difficult to amend the US
constitution.
A codified constitution like in the US also has articles such as its first
amendment which guarantees the freedom of the press. In the UK it is
easier to remove such individual rights and liberties so this could be
considered a disadvantage.
◉ Parliamentary sovereignty. Answer: In the UK system, parliament, not
the people, is sovereign. Many politicians who opposed EU membership
argued it was undemocratic and did so on the grounds of defending
parliamentary sovereignty. In reality, parliament is not entirely
sovereign. First people vote in elections and this limits what parliament
can do and second people usually vote for a party and usually, though
not always, the parties control parliament.
,◉ Separation of powers. Answer: In the UK there is also in principle
separation of powers. The House of Commons, the House of Lords and
the executive are all distinct with each balancing and controlling the
other stopping either one from becoming too powerful. In reality, the
political parties dominate parliament. The Prime Minister and ministers,
who make up the executive all sit in parliament. It is parliament more
often than not which is controlled by the executive. For example, The
parties and particularly the government have the resources to hire special
advisors, influence the media and develop policy. No other branch has
these same resources. In addition, the prime minister has the power to
appoint members of the House of Lords too which weakens their ability
to provide a check on the executives' power.
◉ Rule of Law. Answer: The law is applied equally to everyone, no one
is above the law including political elites. In reality, conventions are not
laws. It is perfectly possible to do something which is unconstitutional
but is not technically illegal. An example would be the expense scandal
or the cash for the honours system. We of course also saw the supreme
court declare null and void the suspension of parliament by the prime
minister. A prime minister who did something that was unconstitutional
and also managed to get the Queen involved in the process too. To argue
also that everyone is treated equally is not entirely accurate. For
example, the Prime Minister's former advisor Dominic Cummings'
breach of Covid-19 rules. He was allowed to stay in his position and it
helped undermine trust in the government.
◉ Common vs Statute Law. Answer: Made by judges in court, using
precedent - decisions made in previous similar cases - to decide how
, they will judge a case before them. Statute law is made by parliament.
For a bill to be passed, it must be agreed to by a majority vote in both
houses of Parliament. If no statute law applies to cover a particular
situation, the common law will apply; however, statute law always
overrides common law.
◉ Royal Prerogative. Answer: The UK has a monarch with symbolic
power. The Monarch does regularly meet with the Prime Minister and
can advise and warn the Prime Minister but monarchical powers are in
effect devolved to the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet.
◉ UK Constitution. Answer: Combo of statutory laws (acts of
parliament), Common Law (judicial decisions) and tradition
◉ Parliamentary democracy. Answer: "A form of democracy that
operates through a popularly elected assembly and emphasizes the
importance of deliberation" (Heywood).
◉ Roles of Parliament. Answer: 1. Executive emerges from the party(s)
that command the confidence of the House of Commons
2. Parliament is sovereign constitutionally
3. Parliament exists to approve legislation and hold the executive to
account
4. Formatted around the principles of representation (territorial and
national)
