A comprehensive list of notes on UK Government - all you need for the Pearson Edexcel A-Level Government & Politics Exam.
Key points, examples and judgements for: Devolution; Parliament; the Executive; and the Supreme Court.
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Section Key Points Key Examples
Devolution More proportional representation Northern Ireland Assembly established in 1998 following Good Friday
Additional powers to target local issues/aspects that differ region by region Agreement, Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly set up in 1999,
(e.g. culture/language) Greater London Assembly set up in 2000
Westminster is dominated (82%) by MPs for English constituencies AMS in Scotland and Wales, STV in NI
Allows power-sharing governments in communities in which there are Parliament voting on English matters - successful vote on foundation
tensions between different groups hospitals in Nov 2003 only impacted England; had it been restricted
Satiates nationalism to English MPs, it would have been defeated
More democratic and representative as the government is brought to the English votes for English matters was emphasised when Scottish MPs
people were able to aid the passage of a bill which imposed top-up fees on
Shines a light on minority issues, which may not receive a voice in parliament English university students in 2004, despite the fact that their own
Reduces the workload of parliament, ensuring that they have the time and constituents would be unaffected by this
resources to consider the most serious matters Significant policies made by Scottish Parliament – drink driving limits
Could fuel desire for independence/rise in nationalism and taxation powers given in 2012, and further powers concerning
Leads to different systems affecting people within the same country – e.g. taxation and welfare given in 2015/16
taxes NI Assembly didn’t sit between 2002-07 due to a breakdown of trust
Low turnout reduces legitimacy 45% Scottish people voting to separate from the UK in 2014
Ideas for an English Parliament have not gained widespread support demonstrates widespread nationalism
Prospective future reforms include: further powers to England, British Bill of Economies in devolved areas have succeeded – e.g. Manchester’s
Rights, further HoL reform, further powers given to judiciary, proportional employment has risen
representation Less than 1/3rd Manchester voted Andy Burnham to be mayor
ECHR/HRA arguably don’t clearly outline/protect citizens’ rights 17 areas had mayors by 2015 – share oversight of policy areas such
By-laws are regulations made by a local authority – can be ruled as ultra vires as transport, policing and economic development
Local issues can be debated in Westminster Further devolution referendum in the North East in 2004 saw 78%
vote against further elected regional assemblies as people thought
that this might be expensive with little impact
Parks and green spaces in Gorton, Manchester were discussed in
June 2022
Parliament HoC has exclusive power to give consent to taxation, reacts to measures put HoC failing to defeat legislation – Police, Crime, Sentencing and
before it by the executive and is rarely able to defend/significantly amend Courts Act 2022 was passed despite significant opposition within the
legislation, party whips ensure that MPs attend votes HoC (including by Labour)
HoC has the responsibility to scrutinise the executive and expose its errors. Opposition motions failing – Labour failed to overturn the
They use MQs/PMQs (though the latter is criticised for unnecessary government majority on their vote to extend free school meals
theatrics/point-scoring nature), Select Committees (limited by high turnover throughout the Christmas holidays in 2020
and lack of resources), debates (including ability of MPs to choose topic of Use of three-line whip – Cameron used a three-line whip in 2011 to
debate for one day per week) compel his party to reject an EU referendum, but 96 defied
HoC/HoL provide ministers, with whips making recommendations to the PM this/abstained, demonstrating the divisiveness of the issue
regarding suitable candidates Jeremy Corbyn defied the Labour whip over 500 times
MPs use their judgment on how to vote, but there is a strong link between PMQs as theatrical – Cameron taking out a picture of Larry, the
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