AS Unit F851: Contemporary Politics of the UK — OCR A-Level Politics
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AS Unit F851: Contemporary Politics of the UK explained
This topic covers the role, functions, and structure of political parties in the UK, including party systems, internal party democracy, funding, and their contribution to the democratic process.
What to demonstrate
- Definition of political parties
- Roles and functions of political parties
- Analysis of party systems (one-, two-, multi-, and dominant-party systems)
Show all 10 objectives
- Structure and organisation of main UK parties
- Basic values of main UK parties
- Party democracy within main parties
- Sources of party income and funding issues
- Proposals for party funding reform
- Contribution of parties to the democratic process
- Criticisms of political parties
AS Unit F851: Contemporary Politics of the UK exam tips
Topic Overview
AS Unit F851: Contemporary Politics of the UK provides a foundational understanding of the key institutions, processes, and debates shaping modern British politics. This unit covers the core components of the UK political system, including the constitution, Parliament, the executive, the judiciary, and the role of pressure groups and political parties. Students will explore how power is distributed and exercised, the relationships between different branches of government, and the impact of recent reforms on democratic participation and accountability.
Studying this unit is essential for understanding how the UK is governed and how political decisions affect citizens' lives. It equips students with the analytical tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the political system, assess arguments for constitutional reform, and engage critically with contemporary political issues such as devolution, the role of the House of Lords, and the influence of the media. This knowledge is directly applicable to debates about democracy, representation, and the balance of power in the UK.
Within the broader OCR A-Level Politics course, F851 serves as the bedrock for further study of US politics (F852) and political ideologies (F853). The concepts and institutions examined here—such as parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, and the separation of powers—are revisited and compared with other political systems. Mastery of this unit is therefore crucial for achieving a holistic understanding of political structures and processes, both domestically and internationally.
Key Concepts
- →Parliamentary sovereignty: The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority, able to create or end any law, and that no body can override its legislation.
- →The fusion of powers: The overlap between the executive (government) and legislature (Parliament), particularly through the Prime Minister and Cabinet being drawn from MPs, which contrasts with the US system of separation of powers.
- →Devolution: The transfer of legislative and executive powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), and Northern Ireland Assembly, creating asymmetric devolution across the UK.
- →The rule of law: The principle that all individuals and institutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.
- →Pressure groups: Organisations that seek to influence government policy without seeking political office, categorised into insider and outsider groups, and sectional and cause groups.
Marking Points
- Definition of political parties
- Roles and functions of political parties
- Analysis of party systems (one-, two-, multi-, and dominant-party systems)
- Structure and organisation of main UK parties
- Basic values of main UK parties
- Party democracy within main parties
- Sources of party income and funding issues
- Proposals for party funding reform
- Contribution of parties to the democratic process
- Criticisms of political parties
Examiner Tips
- 💡Ensure you can define and apply concepts such as representative government, responsible government, democracy, power, authority, and influence.
- 💡Be prepared to interpret and evaluate data related to political parties.
- 💡Maintain awareness of current political developments relating to parties.
- 💡Structure answers to demonstrate clear, sustained arguments using appropriate political vocabulary.
- 💡Use specific examples of recent legislation, events, or reforms to illustrate your points. For instance, refer to the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (and its repeal) when discussing executive-legislative relations, or the Scotland Act 2016 when explaining devolution.
- 💡Evaluate rather than describe. Higher marks are awarded for analysis and judgement. When discussing concepts like parliamentary sovereignty, consider challenges such as EU membership (pre-Brexit) or devolution, and form a clear argument about the extent to which sovereignty remains intact.
- 💡Structure your answers clearly with an introduction, main paragraphs each focusing on a separate point, and a conclusion that directly answers the question. Use political terminology accurately (e.g., 'confidence and supply', 'secondary legislation', 'select committees').
Common Mistakes
- Misconception: The UK has a codified constitution like the US. Correction: The UK constitution is uncodified, meaning it is not contained in a single document but is found in statutes, common law, conventions, and authoritative works.
- Misconception: The Prime Minister is directly elected by the public. Correction: The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch as the leader of the party that commands a majority in the House of Commons, not through a direct popular vote.
- Misconception: The House of Lords has equal power to the House of Commons. Correction: The House of Lords is a revising chamber with limited powers; it can delay legislation but cannot veto money bills, and its powers are restricted by the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a codified and uncodified constitution?
A codified constitution is a single written document that sets out the fundamental laws and principles of a country, such as in the USA. The UK has an uncodified constitution, meaning it is not contained in one document but is derived from various sources including statutes (e.g., Human Rights Act 1998), common law, conventions (e.g., the monarch appoints the PM), and authoritative works (e.g., Bagehot's 'The English Constitution'). This makes the UK constitution flexible and adaptable, but also less clear and more reliant on tradition.
How does devolution work in the UK?
Devolution involves the transfer of legislative and executive powers from the UK Parliament in Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), and Northern Ireland Assembly. Each has different powers: Scotland has extensive powers over areas like health and education, Wales has more limited powers, and Northern Ireland's assembly has been subject to suspension. Devolution is asymmetric, meaning not all regions have the same powers. The UK Parliament retains sovereignty and can theoretically revoke devolved powers, but in practice it does not intervene in devolved matters.
What is the role of the House of Lords?
The House of Lords is the upper chamber of the UK Parliament, primarily acting as a revising and scrutinising body. It reviews legislation passed by the House of Commons, suggests amendments, and can delay bills (except money bills) for up to one year under the Parliament Acts. It also holds the government to account through questions and debates. Its members are mostly appointed (life peers) and include hereditary peers, bishops, and law lords. Recent reforms have reduced the number of hereditary peers, but the chamber remains unelected, leading to debates about its legitimacy.
What are the main differences between insider and outsider pressure groups?
Insider pressure groups have close relationships with government and are regularly consulted on policy, such as the British Medical Association (BMA) on health matters. They often use insider tactics like lobbying and providing expert advice. Outsider pressure groups, like Extinction Rebellion, are not consulted and often use public campaigns, protests, or direct action to influence policy. Insider groups tend to be more effective in achieving incremental change, while outsider groups can raise awareness and shift public opinion but may struggle to access decision-makers.
How does the Prime Minister control the Cabinet?
The Prime Minister controls the Cabinet through several mechanisms: they appoint and dismiss ministers, set the agenda for Cabinet meetings, chair discussions, and decide the final outcome of debates. The PM also controls the Cabinet Office and can use the power of patronage to reward loyalists. However, the PM's power is limited by the need to maintain party support, the influence of senior ministers, and the collective responsibility convention. A strong PM (e.g., Thatcher) can dominate, while a weak one may face challenges.
What is the significance of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011?
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 introduced fixed five-year terms for general elections, removing the Prime Minister's power to call an early election. It aimed to increase stability and prevent opportunistic election timing. However, it was criticised for reducing flexibility and was effectively repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, which restored the PM's prerogative to call an election at a time of their choosing. The Act's significance lies in its short-lived attempt to constrain executive power and its impact on the debate about constitutional reform.