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The government of the UK
This topic examines the core institutions and relationships of government in the United Kingdom. It covers the nature and sources of the British constitution, Parliament and representation, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judiciary and Supreme Court, and devolution across the UK. The analysis should distinguish Parliament from government, the executive from the legislature, conventions from legal rules, and devolution from federalism. Students should use examples of legislation, constitutional change, ministerial power, parliamentary scrutiny, judicial review and devolved authority to evaluate how effectively power is distributed and checked within the UK political system. Strong A-level responses should define the relevant political concepts, distinguish institutions and actors, use precise evidence and explain the consequences of the argument. Evaluation should test an alternative interpretation, consider the limits of the evidence and reach a judgement that answers the exact command word rather than repeating a general topic description.
32
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10
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90 min
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32 objective pages available
The nature and sources of the British Constitution8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the nature and sources of the British Constitution.
- Develop awareness of the significance of Magna Carta 1215, the Bill of Rights 1689, the Act of Settlement 1701 and the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 to the development of rights in the UK.
- Analyse and evaluate the nature and sources of the British constitution.
- Analyse and evaluate contemporary legislation and current issues regarding rights.
- Analyse and evaluate issues and debates around recent constitutional changes.
- Analyse and evaluate debates about the extent of rights in the UK.
- Analyse and evaluate two examples of constitutional changes since 1997.
- Analyse and evaluate areas where individual and collective rights agree and where they conflict.
The structure and role of Parliament8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the structure and role of Parliament.
- Analyse and evaluate scrutiny of the executive and how effective that scrutiny is in practice.
- Analyse and evaluate parliamentary debate and the legislative process in the Commons and Lords.
- Analyse and evaluate Burkean, delegate and mandate theories of representation.
- Analyse and evaluate the roles and influence of MPs and peers.
- Analyse and evaluate the significance of the Commons and Lords, including committees and the role of the opposition.
- Analyse and evaluate the extent of Parliament's influence on government decisions, including party discipline, Select Committee access to civil servants and Whips' influence over committee membership.
- Analyse and evaluate interactions between Parliament and other branches of government.
The Prime Minister and cabinet6 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the Prime Minister and cabinet.
- Analyse and evaluate how policy is made.
- Analyse and evaluate the relationship between the Prime Minister and cabinet.
- Analyse and evaluate the difference between individual and collective responsibility using relevant examples.
- Analyse and evaluate two examples demonstrating the power of the Prime Minister and cabinet to dictate events and determine policy making, including one example from 1945-1997 and one from 1997 to the present.
- Analyse and evaluate government and Parliament relations in relation to accountability and interests.
The judiciary5 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the judiciary.
- Analyse and evaluate the composition of the judiciary and the appointments process.
- Analyse and evaluate the role of the Supreme Court and its impact on government, the legislature and the policy process.
- Analyse and evaluate judicial influence on government.
- Analyse and evaluate the importance of ultra vires, judicial review and the Supreme Court's interactions with and influence over legislative and policy-making processes.
Devolution5 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for devolution.
- Analyse and evaluate the roles, powers and responsibilities of the different devolved bodies in the UK.
- Analyse and evaluate debate around devolution in England.
- Analyse and evaluate existing devolution in England.
- Analyse and evaluate the impact of devolution on the government of the UK.
Key terms
Exam tips
- Use precise terminology: Always distinguish between written rules, common‑law principles, and conventions when answering questions about the constitution.
- Use a clear structure in extended responses: Begin with a concise introduction, outline your main points, support each point with evidence, and finish with a brief conclusion.
Common mistakes
- Confusing conventions with laws: Remember that conventions are upheld by political norms, not by courts, and can be changed by political consensus.
- Confusing constitutional rules with political conventions: Clarify that the Bill of Rights is a constitutional instrument that codifies rights and limits executive power, not a regular piece of legislation.
Practice preview
- Which of the following is NOT traditionally considered a source of the British Constitution?
- Explain the difference between a constitutional rule and a constitutional convention, giving one example of each.
- Compare the constitutional role of the monarch in the UK with that of the President in the US, focusing on the sources of their powers and the nature of those powers.
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