| Question | Point | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Explain and analyse three ways in which UK political parties select their leaders (June 2022) | MP nomination thresholds | Example | Labour requires 20% MP nominations to reach the ballot. |
| I did not answer this optimally. I should have done one each for each party. | AO2 | Gives MPs strong gatekeeping power → increases unity but limits member choice. | |
| For all examples, they should be the most recent party elections. | Membership ballots | Example | Labour uses OMOV; Conservatives let members choose between final two. |
| AO2 | Enhances democratic legitimacy → but only after MPs narrow options. | ||
| Central party bodies | Example | NEC (Labour) and Party Board/1922 Committee (Conservative) set rules. | |
| AO2 | Ensures stability and professionalism → but centralises power in leadership. | ||
| 2. Explain and analyse three ways in which UK political parties allow members to influence policy | Party conferences | Example | Labour Conference votes on motions and NPF reports. |
| Selection would also be a good point. Party members can select party leadership. AO2: Quite constrained by the parliamentary party. | AO2 | Members can pressure leadership → but NEC controls agenda, limiting impact. Members cannot change policy. | |
| Policy forums | Example | Conservative Policy Forum collects ideas sent to national leadership. | |
| AO2 | Encourages consultation` → but influence is advisory, not binding. | ||
| Affiliated groups | Example | Labour trade unions propose motions and vote at Conference. | |
| AO2 | Union power shapes policy → but can dilute ordinary member influence. | ||
| 3. Explain and analyse three ways UK political parties select their candidates to be an MP | Local member voting | Example | Conservatives use special general meetings; Labour CLPs vote via hustings + AV. |
| Application, shortlisting and selection meeting. | AO2 | Strengthens local accountability → but may favour activists over electable candidates. | |
| Central longlisting | Example | Labour NEC longlists; Conservatives require Approved List eligibility. | |
| AO2 | Ensures quality + diversity → but reduces local autonomy. | ||
| Rules for sitting MPs | Example | Labour trigger ballot; Conservatives require re-adoption by local executive. | |
| AO2 | Encourages strong local links → but protects incumbents from deselection. | ||
| 4. Explain and analyse three functions of political parties | Candidate recruitment | Example | Conservative PAB; Labour AWS for diversity. |
| AO2 | Ensures trained, suitable MPs → but concentrates power in party structures. | ||
| Forming government | Example | Majority party forms govt; whips maintain discipline. | |
| AO2 | Enables stable law-making → but reduces independence of MPs. | ||
| Policy formulation | Example | Labour NPF; Conservative Party Board finalises policy. | |
| AO2 | Gives voters clear manifestos → but simplifies complex issues. | ||
| 5. Explain and analyse three ways minor parties impact the political agenda | Forcing major party policy shifts - “policy agenda” | Example | UKIP pressure → Cameron promises 2016 EU referendum. |
| UKIP - 2015, 15% of the vote, 1 seat. SNP - coalition. | AO2 | Major parties adopt minor party ideas → influence without many seats. | |
| Smaller parties may split the vote, affecting who gets into government. | Devolved/local success | Example | SNP dominance in Scotland shapes UK agenda (e.g., independence). |
| Could be better replacing the SNP example with the Liberal Democrats. | AO2 | Regional power allows national influence → forces Westminster concessions. | |
| Shaping public debate | Example | Green Party pushes climate issues into mainstream manifestos. | |
| Weaker example - lesser impact. | AO2 | Media agenda-setting expands discussion → increases policy range. | |
| 6. Explain and analyse three key policies of the Conservative Party | Low taxation | Example | Commitment to keep income and corporation tax competitive. |
| Privatisation would have been good: Thatcher, sold British Airways | AO2 | Aims to boost growth → but limits government revenue. | |
| Better example: prioritisation of authority, wanted to recruit 20,000 | Law and order | Example | Pledges more police + tougher sentencing. |
| x - Preservation of the monarchy is another good point. | AO2 | Appeals to security-focused voters → but tackles symptoms not causes. | |
| Controlled immigration | Example | Pledges to reduce net migration. | |
| AO2 | Supports national sovereignty messaging → but may harm labour supply. | ||
| 7. Explain and analyse three key policies of the Labour Party | Public service investment | Example | Plans to cut NHS waiting lists via higher funding. |
| Progressive taxation. | AO2 | Reduces inequality → but expensive and requires tax/borrowing. | |
| ^ replace with taxation | |||
| Workers’ rights | Example | ”New Deal for Working People” strengthens protections. Workers Rights Act | |
| AO2 | Supports equality + union ties → may raise business costs. |
TODO: Add 3 Labour factions, 3 Conservative factions