Paper 2 Examples

What was the difference between David Cameron's decision on airstrikes in Syria in 2013 and Theresa May's decision in 2017?

What was the difference between David Cameron's decision on airstrikes in Syria in 2013 and Theresa May's decision in 2017?

• In 2013, when David Cameron backed down from calling for airstrikes in Syria after Parliament voted against them

• Theresa May carried out similar airstrikes in 2017 without consulting Parliament

How are most members of the House of Lords appointed?

• Rather than being elected, most members of the House of Lords are appointed by the House of Lords Appointments Commission

• Or by party leaders at the end of Prime Ministers after leaving office

How many hereditary peers and Lords Spiritual are currently present in the House of Lords?

There are still 92 hereditary peers and 26 ‘Lords Spiritual’, who are bishops from the Church of England.

What were the two major reforms introduced in the UK, one in 1998 and the other in 2005, that aimed to improve rights protection and establish a new court?

• Introduced the Human Rights Act 1998 to improve rights protection in the UK

• Created the Supreme Court in the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act.

How is the supremacy of EU law best illustrated?

Lords ruled that the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 passed by the UK Parliament breached EU law as it required UK registered ships to have a majority of British owners.

How did Wales gained primary legislative control over devolved areas, similar to what Scotland was originally given?

Welsh 2011 further referendum in which 64% voted in favour

What did setting up the Silk Commission lead to?

2014 Government of Wales Act which renamed the Welsh executive the Welsh government and also gave it control over landfill tax and stamp duty, alongside the substantial control it already had over health, education

What is the Silk Commission?

• The Silk Commission, also known as the Commission on Devolution in Wales

• This was a commission established by the UK government in 2011 to examine the case for devolving further powers to the Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales

• The commission published its final report in 2014, which made recommendations for the devolution of additional powers to Wales.

What was the significance of New Labour in introducing the true point of constitutional change in the late 1990s?

The true point of constitutional change was introduced by New Labour in the late 1990s

What is the Fixed Term Parliaments Act and when was it introduced?

The Fixed Term Parliaments Act, introduced by the coalition government in 2011

What does the Fixed Term Parliaments Act do?

• Removed the power of the Prime Minister to call a snap election when it suited them

• By requiring ⅔ of Parliament to support a snap election before it was called

Why was Fixed Term Parliaments Act scrapped?

It can be argued that the Fixed Term Parliaments Act in fact had a limited impact on the constitution as it was largely ineffective after the coalition and consequently scrapped by Boris Johnson’s government in 2022.

What areas of policy did the EU have control over when the UK was a member?

• EU only had control over a limited number of areas of policy when the UK was a member

• The EU controlled trade, competition policy and customs and tariffs

• Whilst the EU had some control over immigration, agriculture, fishing, environmental policy, regional development, social and employment policy and parts of foreign and security policy

• In all other areas, however, the UK Parliament was already sovereign when a member of the EU: including most taxation, national defence, education, health and social security.

What has Scotland being 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

What powers were granted to the Scottish Parliament by the Scotland Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 2016?

• The Scotland Act 1998 granted the Scottish Parliament control over health and education policy

• Whilst the Scotland Act 2016 granted it significant control over taxation

What was the voter turnout in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, the 2022 Northern Irish Assembly elections, and the 2021 Senedd elections?

• Turnout was just 63.5% in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, the same in the 2022 Northern Irish Assembly elections

• 46.6% in the 2021 Senedd elections.

What political party has been in power in Scotland since 2007 and what significant event did they almost achieve in 2014?

The SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007 and almost achieved independence in 2014

What has happened to support for Welsh independence since devolution?

Support for Welsh independence has also increased since devolution

What party became the largest in the nationalist bloc and was the largest party after the 2022 Northern Irish Assembly election?

In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein has become the largest party in the nationalist bloc and was the largest party following the 2022 Northern Irish Assembly election

What is the impact of the SNP's changes on Scottish education and how does Scotland's performance in the PISA rankings compare to that of England?

Scottish education has been drastically changed by the SNP, but Scotland has since fallen behind England in the PISA rankings

What is an effect of devolution in Greater Manchester?

In Greater Manchester, for example, greater control over health policy has been correlated with increases in life expectancy in some cases

What has SNP been criticized for in terms of their focus on policymaking?

SNP has been criticised for focusing too much on Scottish independence and neglecting day to day policymaking

Who was arrested in April 2023 in relation to the SNP's financial scandal?

The SNP has recently been rocked by a scandal in relation to its finances with former chief executive of the SNP and husband of Nicola Sturgeon Peter Murrell arrested in April 2023

What is the current state of the government in Stormont and how often do the parties refuse to work together in government?

Government in Stormont is very fragile with frequent suspensions in which the parties refuse to work together in government

What is the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 and what implications could it have on preventing a government with no majority from triggering an election?

• The Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 which was arguably passed for short term political reasons in relation to the coalition

• But could have had far reaching implications

• Preventing a government with no majority from triggering an election.

Give an example of a New Labour's programme demonstrates that major progressive changes can be made

• Labour removed the majority of hereditary peers from the House of Lords

• Introduced the Human Rights Act 1998 to improve rights protection in the UK

• Created the Supreme Court in the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act

What was the criteria for women to be granted the right to vote under the Representation of the People Act 1918?

- Representation Of The People Act 1918, which gave the vote to women over 30 who met a property qualification and to all men, are simply Acts of Parliament that can be removed with a simple majority

What was the purpose of the Conservative government's implementation of ID requirements for voting in the Elections Act 2022?

• The Conservative government was able to easily prevent those without relevant ID from voting in the Elections Act 2022

• Many believe they did to restrict those from voting who were less likely to vote for the Conservative Party

Give an example of how the uncodified nature of the constitution has allowed governments to quickly and effectively deal with emergencies and deal with changed circumstances

The emergency measures brought in to respond to COVID-19, which significantly impinged upon human rights, are a good example of this

What is the name of the bill introduced by Home Secretary Braverman on March 7, 2023, and what was stated in the section 19 note regarding its compatibility with the Human Rights Act and international law?

• The Illegal Migration Bill, for example, was introduced by Home Secretary Braverman on 7th March 2023 with a section 19 note

• Stating that there was a likelihood the provisions of the bill would be incompatible with the Human Rights Act and international law

• But that the government wanted to proceed with it nonetheless

What was the outcome of the case A v Secretary of State for the Home Department regarding the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001?

• In A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, part of The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 was declared incompatible with Articles 5 and 14 of the human rights act

• By permitting the detention of suspected international terrorists in a way that discriminated on the grounds of nationality or immigration status

• The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 was amended by parliament as a result

What is one of the main reasons for the increase in government defeats since 2010?

The frequency of government defeats has increased a great deal since 2010, in large part due to governments having smaller majorities

How many times was May defeated during her minority government and what was the outcome of her government's attempt to get Parliament to approve its Brexit Withdrawal Agreement?

• May was defeated thirty-three times when she had a minority government. May also suffered the worst defeat in modern political history

• When her government tried to get Parliament to approve its Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

What is the percentage of MPs who have rebelled against the party line in the current Parliament and who has the highest percentage of rebellions?

• In the current Parliament, the vast majority of MPs have rebelled against the party line less than 2% of the time

• With just 14 MPs rebelling more than 5% of the time and the highest percentage of rebellions being David Davis at 12.6% of the time.

What is the average number of Urgent Questions per day that Lindsay Hoyle has had?

Lindsay Hoyle has averaged around 0.6 Urgent Questions per day

What was the Urgent Question asked on March 30, 2023, regarding Junior Doctors strikes and what action was the government taking to resolve the situation?

On 30th March 2023, for example, there was an Urgent Question in relation to Junior Doctors strikes that asked the government what they were doing to resolve the situation.

What percentage of their time did MPs spend in the chamber between 2006 and 2021, and how does it compare to the percentage of time spent by Peers?

MPs spent just 24% of their time in the chamber between 2006 and 2021, compared to 44% for Peers.

What are 'Public Bill Committees' and what is the role of backbenchers in them?

B ackbenchers take part in ‘Public Bill Committees’, which have between 16 and 50 MPs and scrutinise legislation passing through the House of Commons.

What are some examples of notable pieces of legislation that started as Private Members' Bills?

• There have been notable pieces of legislation that began as Private Members’ Bills, including the Abortion Act 1967

• Which legalised abortion, and the Assault On Emergency Workers Act 2018

• Which was introduced by Labour MP Chris Bryant.

What are Ten Minute Rule Bills and what is the purpose of allowing a backbench MP to make their case for a new Bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes?

Ten Minute Rule Bills, which allow a backbench MP to make their case for a new Bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes, or presentation

What percentage of bills that received Royal Assent since the 2015 election were Government Bills and what percentage were Private Members' Bills?

Since the 2015 election, 73.8% of bills received Royal Assent have been Government Bills, whilst just 18.4% have been Private Members’ Bills.

What was the amendment made by the Lords in the Higher Education and Research Bill in 2017 and what was the outcome of its rejection by the House of Commons?

• The Higher education and research bill in 2017, the Lords made an amendment

• Which aimed to strengthen the provisions of safeguarding and the independence of academic institutions

• Yet this was later rejected by the House of Commons and was seen as unnecessary.

What is the significance of the House of Lords' ability to revise and amend bills in the legislative process?

• By revising and amending bills, the House of Lords can influence the direction and content of legislation before it becomes law

• This ability to shape government proposals is seen by some as evidence of the upper house's significant influence in the legislative process.

What was the nature of the debates that took place during the discussions on the Data Protection Bill in 2018, and how did the elected representatives incorporate the interests and concerns of their constituents into the legislation?

• In 2018, during the debates on the Data Protection Bill, members of the House of Commons conducted detailed scrutiny of the legislation's provisions

• particularly concerning privacy rights and data security

• The elected representatives, being directly accountable to the public, engaged in robust discussions, considered public opinion, and incorporated amendments that reflected the interests and concerns of their constituents.

What role did the House of Lords play in shaping the Climate Change Act 2008 and how did their scientific expertise contribute to the legislation?

• Debates on the Climate Change Act 2008, the House of Lords played a significant role in shaping the legislation

• Peers with scientific expertise were able to provide evidence-based arguments and propose amendments that strengthened the Act's provisions.

What valuable insights do peers in the House of Lords possess and how do they shape public policy?

• Peers in the House of Lords often possess extensive backgrounds in law, economics, science, and other areas, bringing valuable insights to complex issues

• Their ability to provide informed analysis and challenge government proposals can shape legislation in significant ways

• Making the House of Lords an important institution in shaping public policy.

What was the extent of scrutiny conducted by the House of Commons during the debates on the Brexit withdrawal agreement in 2019?

• In 2019, during the debates on the Brexit withdrawal agreement, the House of Commons conducted extensive scrutiny of the bill, holding multiple debates and committee hearings

• Members of Parliament from various parties engaged in passionate discussions, reflecting the diverse perspectives and interests of the electorate.

What was the focus of the House of Lords' examination during the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill in 2015?

• The debate on the Assisted Dying Bill in 2015, the House of Lords extensively examined the ethical, legal, and practical implications of the proposed legislation

• Peers with backgrounds in medicine, ethics, and law contributed their expertise, leading to in-depth discussions and amendments that ensured a comprehensive and well-informed approach to the complex issue of assisted dying.

What was the role of the House of Lords during the passage of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

• During the passage of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the House of Lords played a crucial role in scrutinising the bill and proposing significant amendments

• Peers in the Lords were able to focus on the technical details and potential implications of the legislation, ensuring that the interests of vulnerable individuals were adequately protected.

Who is the chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and has consistently criticized the government, including its plans to house asylum seekers in barracks?

• Former Immigration Minister Nokes is the chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and has consistently criticised the government, including in relation to its plans to house asylum seekers in barracks.

What has allowed prominent backbench MPs who oppose the government on some issues to obtain key roles in Select Committees?

Select Committee Chairs are no longer chosen by the whips, which has allowed prominent backbench MPs who oppose the government on some issues to obtain key roles in Select Committees.

What is the extent of the influence of Select Committees on policy, given that the government typically only accepts about 40% of their recommendations and these are usually minor changes?

The government accepts about 40% of Select Committees recommendations, but these are usually minor changes. The actual influence of Select Committees on policy can therefore be seen as limited

Which Opposition leaders are highly effective in scrutinising the work of government and how does Starmer compare to them?

Corbyn, for example, made a habit of asking questions from members of the public. Some Opposition leaders are highly effective in scrutinising the work of government. Starmer is reasonably good, especially given his experience as a prosecutor.

The Leader of the Opposition (6 questions) and the leader of the 3rd largest party (2 questions) have the opportunity to get the government to respond directly to their questions in PMQs, therefore giving them the ability to expose government failure and suggest why they would be more effective.

What is the intention behind the political answers given by Ministers and Prime Ministers during scrutiny?

Ministers and Prime Ministers often give political answers, intended to deflect and get soundbites for social media clips rather than to honestly answer scrutiny.

What is the purpose of questions drafted by the whips for government backbenchers in parliament?

many government backbenchers ask questions drafted by the whips, which are intended to flatter rather than scrutinise the government

What was the outcome of the House of Lords' proposed amendment to the 2018 EU Withdrawal Bill regarding the UK's participation in EU agencies?

An amendment to the 2018 EU Withdrawal Bill proposed by the House of Lords to make sure that the UK would be legally able to participate in EU agencies if it chooses was accepted by the House of Commons

How many days of scrutiny did the Illegal Migration Bill receive in the Committee of the House?

The recent Illegal Migration Bill was granted just 2 days of scrutiny in the Committee of the House.

What is an example of a political party that received a small percentage of the vote in a general election but only secured one seat in the UK Parliament?

In the 2019 general election, the Green Party received around 2.7% of the vote but secured only one seat out of 650, similar results were seen in the 2015 general election with UKIP gaining 12% of the vote but only one seat.

What was the percentage of female MPs elected in the 2019 general election and how does it compare to previous elections?

The 2019 general election witnessed a record number of female MPs, with 220 women elected, accounting for 34% of the total.

What was the result of efforts to increase the representation of ethnic minorities in Parliament in 2019?

Efforts have been made to increase the representation of ethnic minorities (65 in 2019), resulting in a more diverse range of voices within Parliament.

What percentage of Members of Parliament (MPs) come from a working class background?

Only 10% of MPs are from the working class background

What percentage of the House of Lords comes from minority ethnic backgrounds?

The House of Lords has low levels of representation, only approximately 6% comes from minority ethnic backgrounds

What was the government's response to public concerns about low wages and income inequality, and when was it introduced?

the introduction of the National Living Wage in 2016 demonstrated the government's response to public concerns about low wages and income inequality.

What is the Climate Change Act of 2008 and what did it establish?

The passing of the Climate Change Act in 2008, which established legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the HS2 project and what are some of the concerns and opposition it has faced?

the decision to proceed with the construction of HS2, a high-speed railway project connecting London with the North of England. Despite significant public opposition and concerns about the project's cost and environmental impact, the government has persisted with its implementation.

What was the name of the act that was introduced in 2012 and faced significant opposition from healthcare professionals and the public?

The introduction of the Health and Social Care Act in 2012, which faced considerable resistance from healthcare professionals and public opinion.

How many times has the Parliament Acts been used to override the House of Lords' veto on legislation supported by the House of Commons, and can you provide an example of such legislation?

If the House of Lords does block legislation supported by the House of Commons, then the Commons can use the Parliaments Acts to override their veto after a year. This has been used 7 times in total, including for equalising the age of consent to 16 for homosexuals and heterosexuals, with the Sexual Offences Act 2000.

What is the significance of the House of Lords' 1 year delaying power in terms of delaying important legislation and forcing the House of Commons to compromise and amend legislation?

the House of Lords only have a 1 year delaying power, this can be significant in delaying important legislation, forcing the House of Commons to compromise and amend legislation.

What was the reason for the failure of May and Johnson's governments to pass their Brexit Withdrawal Agreements in 2019?

Both May and Johnson’s governments failed to pass their Brexit Withdrawal Agreements a number of times in 2019 when their Conservative governments relied on a Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for their majority.

Why did the Home Office take the Passport Office back under ministerial control in 2014?

In 2014 the Home Office took the Passport Office back under ministerial control following a critical report by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

What is the timeline for the government to publicly respond to the findings and what is the potential impact of those findings on government policy and departmental performance?

The government has to publicly respond to their findings in 8 weeks and they can sometimes have a direct influence on government policy, ensuring that government departments perform effectively.

What happened in October 2022 regarding the vote on banning fracking and Conservative MPs?

In October 2022, 33 Conservative MPs rebelled against Truss’ government and abstained in a vote on banning fracking, despite the government ordering them to oppose it, including many MP Mark Fletcher of Bolsover who had a strong local movement against fracking in the area.

Who did Johnson include in his cabinet in 2019 despite their significant bases of popularity within the party?

Johnson included Sajid Javid and Jacob Rees Mogg in his cabinet in 2019 despite them having quite large bases of their own popularity within the party.

What was May's challenge in balancing the wings of her party post referendum?

May had to balance the wings of her party post referendum, having both leavers and remainers in the cabinet.

What is the connection between Gordon Brown and Tony Blair?

Gordon Brown and Tony Blair became close, they were both elected to parliament in 1983 and shared an office.

Who did Theresa May include in her cabinet due to their considerable power base within the party?

Big Beasts are usually included within the cabinet, Theresa May included Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond in her cabinet due to their considerable power base within the party.

Who did Johnson appoint as Home Secretary in 2019 and what was her relationship with him during his leadership campaign?

Johnson's appointment of Patel as Home Secretary in 2019. Patel had been a strong supporter of Johnson during his leadership campaign and demonstrated unwavering loyalty to him

What was the impact of Covid 19 on the country and how did it show Rishi Sunak's ability at handling an unprecedented economic crisis despite his short tenure in Parliament?

Sunak was a shocking replacement for Sajid Javid considering he had only entered Parliament in 2015, the impact of Covid 19 on the country showed his ability at handling an unprecedented economic crisis

What was David Milliband's nickname and what did it indicate about his abilities while he was a member of Blair's cabinet in 2006?

David Milliband was a young member of Blair's cabinet in 2006, his nickname was 'brain' which indicated his exceptional ability.

What is an example that demonstrates the importance of political loyalty in the appointment of Gavin Williamson as Secretary of State for Education by Theresa May in 2016?

An example that illustrates the significance of political loyalty is the appointment of Gavin Williamson as Secretary of State for Education by Theresa May in 2016. Although Williamson had limited experience in the education sector, his unwavering loyalty to May and the Conservative Party led to his appointment.

Who did Sunak bring back to the cabinet as Justice Secretary, Levelling Up Secretary, and Home Secretary, respectively, despite one of them being sacked by Truss for breaking the Ministerial Code?

When Truss became Prime Minister, she removed important members of Johnson’s cabinet including Priti Patel and Dominic Raab. Sunak did this too, bringing back Dominic Raab as Justice Secretary, Gove as Levelling Up Secretary and Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, despite her having been sacked by Truss for breaking the Ministerial Code.

Who significantly limited Tony Blair's power despite being a popular and powerful Prime Minister?

Despite being a very popular and powerful Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s power was significantly limited by his Chancellor Gordon Brown

What was the reason for Blair's inability to join the European Single Currency and who devised the economic tests that needed to be passed?

Blair had to concede a significant amount of control over a number of policy areas. Brown effectively denied Blair his wish to join the European Single Currency, by devising 5 economic tests that would first have to be passed and insisting that the treasury would determine when they had been met.

What was Blair's style of governing called and why did he prefer it over the cabinet?

Blair often used bi-lateral meetings with important ministers to determine policy on a particular area, as he felt he could use them to talk ministers around to his view. Blair’s style of governing was dubbed ‘sofa government’ as a result, as he largely shunned the cabinet.

What was the role of hardline Brexiteers, including Boris Johnson, in influencing Theresa May's Brexit deal?

When Theresa May was seeking to introduce a Brexit deal, the hardline Brexiteers in her cabinet (as well as the DUP and the fact she lacked a majority), including Boris Johnson, had a lot of influence due to their support among the party and forced Theresa May to a harder Brexit deal.

What is Foley's concept of 'Spatial Leadership' and how does it relate to the role of Prime Ministers in modern politics?

Foley’s concept of ‘Spatial Leadership’ that suggests that Prime Ministers are becoming more like US presidents by distancing themselves from the party and government for which they are responsible.

What happened to the last three Prime Ministers, May, Johnson, and Truss, and who ultimately removed them from their positions?

The last 3 Prime Ministers - May, Johnson and Truss - were ultimately removed by their cabinets and the wider Conservative Party after becoming unpopular.

What was the nature of Tony Blair's relationship with George Bush and how did it affect foreign policy decisions related to the Iraq War?

Tony Blair had a very close personal relationship with George Bush and drove foreign policy in relation to the Iraq War, with little discussion around the cabinet table and ministers denied access to key documents.

Who played a key role in determining the Withdrawal Agreement and negotiating with the EU during the Brexit process?

During the Brexit process, it was the Prime Minister that played a key role in determining the Withdrawal Agreement and negotiating with the EU. Boris Johnson and Theresa May, at different points, had key negotiations with the EU.

What was the violation committed by Matt Hancock, the health secretary, in June 2021, as revealed by secret footage?

In June 2021, secret footage emerged of Matt Hancock, the health secretary, engaged in an intimate embrace with an aide, in violation of social distancing guidelines imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who claimed they were not fully aware of the consequences of the "hostile environment" policy targeting undocumented immigrants in the case of the Windrush scandal?

in the case of the Windrush scandal, multiple Home Secretaries, including Amber Rudd and Sajid Javid, claimed they were not fully aware of the consequences of the "hostile environment" policy targeting undocumented immigrants.

What was the government's response to the Salisbury poisoning incident in 2018, and who did they attribute the attack to?

Following the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal with a nerve agent in the Sailsbury poisoning incident in 2018, the government attributed the attack to the Russian government and implemented a range of measures in response

What did Theresa May announce in 2016 regarding Cabinet ministers who disagreed with the decision to grant Heathrow an extra runway?

In 2016 Theresa May announced that Cabinet ministers who disagreed with the decision to grant Heathrow an extra runway would be given a derogation from collective responsibility.

What was the impact of Cameron's decision to remove collective responsibility during the 2016 Brexit referendum?

Under Cameron, collective responsibility was removed during the 2016 Brexit referendum

What happens to collective responsibility in cases of party management difficulties and why is it abandoned?

Usually with party management difficulties, collective responsibility is abandoned because the prime minister could not manage their cabinet

What was the challenge faced by Theresa May in keeping the support of her party?

Theresa May in particular struggled to keep the support of a party that was divided between one nation conservatives and hard Brexiteers in the European Research Group

What event ultimately triggered a leadership challenge that led to the downfall of Thatcher in 1990?

With Thatcher in 1990 when the resignation of former ally Geoffrey Howe ultimately triggering a leadership challenge that brought Thatcher down.

What was the reason behind Boris Johnson's inability to control his cabinet towards the end of his reign as Prime Minister?

What made Boris Johnson less able to control his cabinet in the end of his reign was arguably not his lack of management skills, but his declining popularity, which emboldened key cabinet ministers to challenge him.

What was Blair's style of governing called and why was it given that name?

Blair’s style of governing was dubbed ‘sofa government’ as a result, as he largely shunned the cabinet.