Embark on a critical exploration of the UK government's structure, functions, and challenges with the "Component 2: UK Government – Essay Plans" guide. This essential resource is strategically designed to deepen your understanding of constitutional principles, parliamentary operations, executive ...
Component 2: UK Government – Essay Plans
Table of Contents
Component 2: UK Government – Essay Plans......................................................................1
2.1 – The Constitution..................................................................................................................2
1: Evaluate the view that devolution will only be complete when England has its own parliament............2
2: Evaluate the view that the time has come for the UK to adopt a codified constitution...........................3
3: Evaluate the view that UK citizens can only be confident that their civil liberties are effectively
protected if an entrenched British Bill of Rights is enacted...........................................................................5
4: Evaluate the extent to which the UK is in need of a codified constitution................................................7
5: Evaluate the extent to which the constitutional reforms of 1997 to 2010 may be considered more
important than the constitutional reforms that occurred after 2010............................................................9
6: Evaluate the extent to which the next logical step for devolution is the creation of an English
Parliament.....................................................................................................................................................11
7: Evaluate the view that the UK’s constitutional arrangements undermine democratic principles..........12
2.2 – Parliament.........................................................................................................................14
1: Evaluate the extent to which the House of Lords remains an important part of Parliament.................14
For the View: The House of Lords Remains Important.................................................................................14
Against the View: The House of Lords Lacks Importance.............................................................................15
Key Terms and Concepts...............................................................................................................................16
Key Institutions.............................................................................................................................................16
Key Acts of Parliament..................................................................................................................................16
Relevant Ideologies.......................................................................................................................................16
2: Evaluate the view that the House of Commons fulfils its representative function more effectively than
its legislative function...................................................................................................................................17
3: Evaluate the view that the powers of the House of Lords are so limited that it is an ineffective
parliamentary chamber.................................................................................................................................18
4: Evaluate the view that the House of Commons is only effective at holding the government accountable
when it has a small parliamentary majority.................................................................................................20
5: Evaluate the extent to which backbench MPs are effective in fulfilling their various roles....................22
6: Evaluate the extent to which the House of Lords plays a meaningful role in the passage of legislation.
......................................................................................................................................................................24
7: Evaluate the extent to which Parliament may be considered an ineffective institution.........................26
2.3 – The Prime Minister and the executive................................................................................28
1: Evaluate the view that the prime minister can always control the decisions made by their government.
......................................................................................................................................................................28
For the View: The Prime Minister Can Control Government Decisions.......................................................28
Against the View: The Prime Minister Cannot Always Control Government Decisions...............................28
Key Terms and Concepts...............................................................................................................................29
Key Institutions.............................................................................................................................................29
Key Acts of Parliament..................................................................................................................................29
Relevant Ideologies.......................................................................................................................................30
2: Evaluate the view that the conventions of collective and individual ministerial responsibility are now
largely ignored in UK politics........................................................................................................................30
3: Evaluate the view that since 1997 prime ministers have steadily become more presidential...............32
4: Evaluate the extent to which prime ministers are able to dominate their cabinets...............................34
5: Evaluate the extent to which the concepts of ministerial responsibility continue to play a meaningful
role in British politics....................................................................................................................................36
6: Evaluate the extent to which there are any effective limitations on the powers of the Prime Minister.38
7: Evaluate how accurate it is to describe modern prime ministers as presidents in all but name............40
2.4 – Relations between the branches........................................................................................41
1: Evaluate the view that the UK Parliament can justifiably claim to be a sovereign body.........................41
, 2: Evaluate the view that the Supreme Court exerts too much influence over the executive and
legislature......................................................................................................................................................43
3: Evaluate the view that the European Union has been an economic success but a political failure.......45
4: Evaluate the extent to which the Supreme Court can control government power.................................47
5: Evaluate the extent to which the balance of power between the executive and Parliament has
markedly shifted towards Parliament in recent years..................................................................................49
6: Evaluate the extent to which Parliament remains sovereign in the UK..................................................50
7: Evaluate the extent to which the European Union impacted the political system of the UK prior to
January 2020.................................................................................................................................................52
2.1 – The Constitution
1: Evaluate the view that devolution will only be complete when England has its own
parliament.
For the view:
1. Argument 1: Addressing the West Lothian
o Evidence/Example 1: The West Lothian highlights the issue where MPs from
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can vote on England-only matters,
while English MPs cannot reciprocate. An English parliament would address
this imbalance.
2. Argument 2: Symmetry in Devolution
o Evidence/Example 2: Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own
parliaments/assemblies; hence, establishing an English parliament would
bring symmetry and equity to the UK’s devolution structure.
3. Argument 3: Representing England's Unique Needs
o Evidence/Example 3: England has specific social, economic, and cultural
issues distinct from the other UK nations. An English parliament would ensure
these issues receive focused and representative governance.
4. Argument 4: Reducing Centralisation
o Evidence/Example 4: Devolution is about decentralising power. An English
parliament would further devolve power from Westminster, reducing over-
centralisation in the UK political system.
Against the view:
1. Argument 1: Potential Complication of Governance
o Evidence/Example 1: Adding another layer of government for England could
complicate and duplicate legislative processes, leading to inefficiency and
confusion.
, 2. Argument 2: Risk of Weakening the Union
o Evidence/Example 2: Establishing an English parliament might fuel separatist
sentiments in other parts of the UK, potentially weakening the union.
3. Argument 3: Adequacy of Current Representation
o Evidence/Example 3: England, being the largest UK nation, already has a
significant influence in the UK Parliament. This influence might be seen as
adequate representation without needing its own parliament.
4. Argument 4: Economic and Administrative Burdens
o Evidence/Example 4: The establishment and maintenance of an English
parliament would bring significant economic and administrative burdens.
Key terms:
Devolution
English Parliament
West Lothian
Decentralisation
Key themes/concepts:
Political Symmetry
Governance
National Identity
Legislative Efficiency
Key Institutions:
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
Welsh Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
Relevant Ideologies:
Federalism
Nationalism
Centralisation vs. Decentralisation
2: Evaluate the view that the time has come for the UK to adopt a codified constitution.
For the view:
, 1. Argument 1: Clarity and Accessibility
o Evidence/Example 1: A codified constitution would provide clear and
accessible documentation of the UK's laws and principles, beneficial in
educating the public and ensuring transparency in governance.
2. Argument 2: Consistency and Legal Certainty
o Evidence/Example 2: Codification would help avoid the ambiguity and
inconsistencies inherent in an uncodified system, as seen in the confusion
over parliamentary sovereignty and devolution.
3. Argument 3: Protection against Arbitrary Power
o Evidence/Example 3: Recent events, like the prorogation of Parliament in
2019, highlight the need for a codified constitution to prevent abuses of
power and uphold democratic principles.
4. Argument 4: Modernisation and International Norms
o Evidence/Example 4: Most democracies have a codified constitution;
adopting one would align the UK with modern democratic practices and
international expectations.
Against the view:
1. Argument 1: Flexibility of the Current System
o Evidence/Example 1: The UK's uncodified constitution allows for flexibility
and adaptability to changing circumstances, a strength in rapidly evolving
political landscapes.
2. Argument 2: Historical Stability and Functionality
o Evidence/Example 2: The UK's system has historically functioned effectively
without a codified constitution, providing stability and continuity.
3. Argument 3: Complexity and Difficulty of Implementation
o Evidence/Example 3: Drafting, agreeing upon, and implementing a codified
constitution in the UK would be a complex and potentially divisive process.
4. Argument 4: Potential Limitation of Parliamentary Sovereignty
o Evidence/Example 4: A codified constitution could impose limitations on
Parliamentary sovereignty, altering the fundamental nature of the UK's
current political system.
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