Recent and relevant examples for Paper 2- UK Government
Please find below a list of recent and relevant examples pertaining to content in paper 2. Most of
these examples have taken place in the year(s) since you have studied the topic, though some really
important “recent” examples have been included too.
Please remember:
1) Specific examples are crucial. Use them in the “E” secEons of your PEACEAL paragraphs.
2) Recent examples are beKer than dated ones- this does NOT mean that dated examples are
useless- they can be great for showcasing change.
3) This list is not total- there will be examples that could be added to these consideraEons.
Topic and subtopic Recent example Analysis
2.1 ConsEtuEonal Passed by a ConservaDve This suggests that the flexibility of the
ConsEtuEon flexibility government, the ElecEons Act cons4tu4on can be misused to gain poli4cal
(2022) requires voters now advantage with Labour claiming that such
carry photo ID to elecDons. rules disenfranchise Labour voters more so
than Conserva4ves.
DevoluEon 2024- Government is restored The restora4on of government reflects how
in Stormont aLer a 24-month the devolu4onary arrangement has been
hiatus. Sinn Fein’s Michelle vital in managing unionist and na4onalist
O’Neill has become Northern interests, with the equal weigh4ng of each
Ireland’s first naDonalist first execu4ve role vital in ensuring consensual
minister, with the DUP’s Emma ac4on. That a na4onalist first minister has
LiKle-Pengelly serving as been appointed may reflect a dissa4sfac4on
deputy. with the DUP’s aEempts to prevent a
government from forming (devolu4on
works)/ reinforce that there remains an
appe4te for independence (devolu4on isn’t
working).
DevoluEon 2023- Westminster uses SecEon This reinforces the limits to the
35 to block the ScoSsh devolu4onary arrangement, with a devolved
government’s Gender issue like gender recogni4on s4ll vulnerable
RecogniEon reform bill, holding to Westminster interven4on. This dominance
that its passage would may be reinforced by Westminster’s recent
compromise elements of the disregard for the Sewel Conven4on by
Equality Act. passing Brexit legisla4on despite failing to
receive consent from the three devolved
legislatures, as well as the Supreme Court’s
ruling that indyref2 could not be invoked by
ScoNsh Parliament.
DevoluEon On May 2 2024, voDng for 10 The expansion of the metro mayor structure
metro mayors across England (there are now 12) reflects an increased
will take place. These mayors commitment towards devolving power in
cover 44% of the English England, reinforced by wider powers such as
populaDon, controlling £25bn of a direct funding seElement and post 19 skills
public spending. funding being granted to mayors like Andy
Burnham (Greater Manchester). It should be
, noted that voter turnout for these elec4ons
typically stands at 35%, much lower than
general elec4on figures.
How the The 2015 Recall of MPs act Recent examples have highlighted how this
consEtuEon (passed by the ConservaDve cons4tu4onal change has facilitated greater
has changed government) has come into accountability of MPs, while given the public
heavy use recently. the opportunity to reshape the
2023- Margaret Ferrier (SNP) is parliamentary landscape. Consequently, the
recalled aLer a 30-day Sunak government has had it majority
suspension from the House for weakened, with by-elec4on results
breaking Covid 19 protocols) indica4ng a dissa4sfac4on with current
2023- Peter Bone (Con) is performance (unit 1).
recalled aLer a 6-week
suspension for bullying a sexual
misconduct)
2024- ScoK Benton (Con) is
recalled (he has since resigned
so the peDDon has been
terminated)
Reforming of 2022- Ex-PM Gordon Brown Although Keir Starmer has not said how
the draws up proposals for much of this he would actually do if elected,
consEtuEon consDtuDonal reform with a it does suggest that further reform is coming
package designed to (this would be inevitable if a hung elec4on
reinvigorate UK democracy and led to a Lib-Lab coali4on). Problems lurk in
unity. Ideas include changing the cons4tu4onally useful Lords,
consDtuDonally-enshrined and crea4ng ‘social rights’ which could lead
‘social rights’ (e.g. to to a lot of judicial review.
healthcare), stronger local
government, English devoluDon,
Lords reform, and becer
coordinaDon and partnership
between the four naDons’
insDtuDons.
2.2 SelecEon of 2024- The government This recent selec4on of peers reflects some
Parliament Lords announce 13 new peerages as of the key pi^alls of the appointment
part of the 2024 Special process, namely that party leaders are
Honours. Some of these peers, allowed to appoint those who have served
such as Stuart Marks, are Tory party interests rather than the public’s (an
donors (Marks has donated example of cronyism). It should be noted
£119,500 since 2013); while that a number of these new appointments
there is also space for (Jane Ramsey- a former ethics adviser for
appointments such as Carmen Labour; Rosa Monckton- a disability
Smith, a 27 year old Plaid campaigner) will being exper4se that may
Cymru peer, who is now the not be readily found in the Commons. The
youngest in the House. appointment of Smith highlights that the
HoL may be modernising, the average age of
71 being brought down by younger
appointments.
SelecEon of 2023- 8 of 16 names proposed As an independent advisory body, the role of
Lords by outgoing PM Boris Johnson HOLAC in offering strong accountability
Please find below a list of recent and relevant examples pertaining to content in paper 2. Most of
these examples have taken place in the year(s) since you have studied the topic, though some really
important “recent” examples have been included too.
Please remember:
1) Specific examples are crucial. Use them in the “E” secEons of your PEACEAL paragraphs.
2) Recent examples are beKer than dated ones- this does NOT mean that dated examples are
useless- they can be great for showcasing change.
3) This list is not total- there will be examples that could be added to these consideraEons.
Topic and subtopic Recent example Analysis
2.1 ConsEtuEonal Passed by a ConservaDve This suggests that the flexibility of the
ConsEtuEon flexibility government, the ElecEons Act cons4tu4on can be misused to gain poli4cal
(2022) requires voters now advantage with Labour claiming that such
carry photo ID to elecDons. rules disenfranchise Labour voters more so
than Conserva4ves.
DevoluEon 2024- Government is restored The restora4on of government reflects how
in Stormont aLer a 24-month the devolu4onary arrangement has been
hiatus. Sinn Fein’s Michelle vital in managing unionist and na4onalist
O’Neill has become Northern interests, with the equal weigh4ng of each
Ireland’s first naDonalist first execu4ve role vital in ensuring consensual
minister, with the DUP’s Emma ac4on. That a na4onalist first minister has
LiKle-Pengelly serving as been appointed may reflect a dissa4sfac4on
deputy. with the DUP’s aEempts to prevent a
government from forming (devolu4on
works)/ reinforce that there remains an
appe4te for independence (devolu4on isn’t
working).
DevoluEon 2023- Westminster uses SecEon This reinforces the limits to the
35 to block the ScoSsh devolu4onary arrangement, with a devolved
government’s Gender issue like gender recogni4on s4ll vulnerable
RecogniEon reform bill, holding to Westminster interven4on. This dominance
that its passage would may be reinforced by Westminster’s recent
compromise elements of the disregard for the Sewel Conven4on by
Equality Act. passing Brexit legisla4on despite failing to
receive consent from the three devolved
legislatures, as well as the Supreme Court’s
ruling that indyref2 could not be invoked by
ScoNsh Parliament.
DevoluEon On May 2 2024, voDng for 10 The expansion of the metro mayor structure
metro mayors across England (there are now 12) reflects an increased
will take place. These mayors commitment towards devolving power in
cover 44% of the English England, reinforced by wider powers such as
populaDon, controlling £25bn of a direct funding seElement and post 19 skills
public spending. funding being granted to mayors like Andy
Burnham (Greater Manchester). It should be
, noted that voter turnout for these elec4ons
typically stands at 35%, much lower than
general elec4on figures.
How the The 2015 Recall of MPs act Recent examples have highlighted how this
consEtuEon (passed by the ConservaDve cons4tu4onal change has facilitated greater
has changed government) has come into accountability of MPs, while given the public
heavy use recently. the opportunity to reshape the
2023- Margaret Ferrier (SNP) is parliamentary landscape. Consequently, the
recalled aLer a 30-day Sunak government has had it majority
suspension from the House for weakened, with by-elec4on results
breaking Covid 19 protocols) indica4ng a dissa4sfac4on with current
2023- Peter Bone (Con) is performance (unit 1).
recalled aLer a 6-week
suspension for bullying a sexual
misconduct)
2024- ScoK Benton (Con) is
recalled (he has since resigned
so the peDDon has been
terminated)
Reforming of 2022- Ex-PM Gordon Brown Although Keir Starmer has not said how
the draws up proposals for much of this he would actually do if elected,
consEtuEon consDtuDonal reform with a it does suggest that further reform is coming
package designed to (this would be inevitable if a hung elec4on
reinvigorate UK democracy and led to a Lib-Lab coali4on). Problems lurk in
unity. Ideas include changing the cons4tu4onally useful Lords,
consDtuDonally-enshrined and crea4ng ‘social rights’ which could lead
‘social rights’ (e.g. to to a lot of judicial review.
healthcare), stronger local
government, English devoluDon,
Lords reform, and becer
coordinaDon and partnership
between the four naDons’
insDtuDons.
2.2 SelecEon of 2024- The government This recent selec4on of peers reflects some
Parliament Lords announce 13 new peerages as of the key pi^alls of the appointment
part of the 2024 Special process, namely that party leaders are
Honours. Some of these peers, allowed to appoint those who have served
such as Stuart Marks, are Tory party interests rather than the public’s (an
donors (Marks has donated example of cronyism). It should be noted
£119,500 since 2013); while that a number of these new appointments
there is also space for (Jane Ramsey- a former ethics adviser for
appointments such as Carmen Labour; Rosa Monckton- a disability
Smith, a 27 year old Plaid campaigner) will being exper4se that may
Cymru peer, who is now the not be readily found in the Commons. The
youngest in the House. appointment of Smith highlights that the
HoL may be modernising, the average age of
71 being brought down by younger
appointments.
SelecEon of 2023- 8 of 16 names proposed As an independent advisory body, the role of
Lords by outgoing PM Boris Johnson HOLAC in offering strong accountability
