Paper 1 Panic

Question 1

Evaluate the view that pressure groups are less influential than corporations in influencing gov policy [30] (Insider P.Groups)

Answer 1

Insider Pressure Groups - BMA Gave UK Sec.State power to suspend payment of pension/benefits to any NHS professional charged, but not convicted with criminal offences. HOWEVER,
Majority of pressure groups such as Extinction Rebellion lack influence despite media coverage therefore corp>pressure group.

Question 2

Evaluate the view that pressure groups are less influential than corporations in influencing gov policy [30] (Corporations)

Answer 2

(£500m) announced by gov in 2008 as a response to financial crisis. Corp important as economy is vital for gov to remain electorally successful.
HOWEVER,
Greenpeace and others were successful in delaying 3rd runway at Heathrow despite support from major corp’s, Rashford FSM campaign also successful

Question 3

Evaluate the view that pressure groups are less influential than corporations in influencing gov policy [30] (Lobbying)

Answer 3

£25m spent on lobbying by big businesses (2015-17). Owen Patterson had to resign after extensively lobbying his own company. Demonstrates wealth and resources which P.Groups most likely do not have.
HOWEVER,
The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union administration act 2014 supposed to encourage transparency but overall can be argued that corp>p.group in terms of gov influence as they have more resources and can exert more influence.

Question 4

Evaluate the view that there is a participation crisis in UK Politics (Low Turnouts)

Answer 4

Turnouts decreasing in comparison to the past, 67% after 1945 compared to 80% before. 2001 - 60% of people happy so didn’t vote, apathy has led people away from polls, believing nothing will change due to safe seats encouraging tactical voting.
HOWEVER,
Participation increased through P.Groups. Groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion pose argument for apathy not being evident.

Question 5

Evaluate the view that there is a participation crisis in UK Politics (Low Membership)

Answer 5

Tories have less than 80k members. Membership of SNP and LD has declined. Important due to party membership encouraging participation. Fewer young people are signing up to parties - unhealthy democracy
HOWEVER,
Labour under Corbyn seen more members and subsequently becoming one of the largest parties in Europe (youthquake). SNP, after 2014 ref grew in numbers + pressure group membership is increasing.

Question 6

Evaluate the view that there is a participation crisis in UK Politics (Other Election participation)

Answer 6

Referendums have low turnouts - e.g. Welsh assembly only 51%. AV Ref was 30%. Police crime commission elections some areas only get 15%. Mayoral elections are declining. Turnout in Scottish and Welsh parliament elections is very low. This will be made worse with idea of voter ID.
HOWEVER,
Scottish referendum did have a high turnout (80%) and Brexit in 2016 (79%) because people deemed these to be important issues to vote on. Many voters do not want politicians to decide on what they should vote on, rather decide themselves.

Question 7

Evaluate the view that rights are no longer adequately protected in the UK (Gov)

Answer 7

Protected through legislation such as as HRA (1998), FOIA (2000), Equality Act (2010) and Marriage Act (2014). HRA specifically important in giving UK a US-style bill, gives right for citizens to utilise free speech in UK courts (ECHR).
HOWEVER,
Dominic Raab previous justice sec wanted to scrap HRA. Under gov plans UK judges will not have to take European judgement into account. Parliamentary sov allows rights to be abused through FPTP which combines Police, Crime and sentencing act as limits protest right.

Question 8

Evaluate the view that rights are no longer adequately protected in the UK (SC)

Answer 8

Ability to protect rights through JR + declarations of incompatiblity. HRA emboldened the court to do so - SC declared against the Department for Work and Pensions (2014) over back to work schemes. SC also rejected gov claim of sov immunity, used Magna Carta to prevent this.
HOWEVER,
Power of SC limited, cannot strike down law. Belmarsh Judgement (2003) led to gov ‘control orders’ instead (form of house arrest + HR of prisoners). JRA Act 2022 makes it harder to challenge gov actions in court.

Question 9

Evaluate the view that rights are no longer adequately protected in the UK [30] (P.Groups)

Answer 9

‘Liberty’ uses large membership and media attention to create change. Children Act (1989) case example of p.group success. P.Group ‘Justice’ produced in depth report on importance of HRA.
HOWEVER,
P.Groups often ineffective due to no insider status. ‘CAGE UK’ limited success due to lack of electoral power.

Question 10

Evaluate the view that the current Conservative party has moved away from Thatcherism [30] (Economic Policy)

Answer 10

Sunak intervened COVID crisis 2020, introduced furlough scheme (gov paid 80% of wages), reintroduced bailouts, ‘eat out to help out’ and reduced private ownership (TransPennine express), contrast Thatcher free market belief.
HOWEVER,
COVID measures temporary, 2019 manifesto saw promise not to raise national insurance, from 2010 benefit caps through bedroom tax and universal credit introduced. Sunak - “I am a Thatcherite and will govern as a Thatcherite”.

Question 11

Evaluate the view that the current Conservative party has moved away from Thatcherism [30] (Social Policy)

Answer 11

Homosexuality banned in schools - strong opposition to liberal society. Movement away from Marriage Act 2013, ‘detoxify’ party after 1997 defeat.
HOWEVER,
45% of Tory seats opposed gay marriage. Party reluctant over furthering trans rights (not passing GRB Scotland). Socially Conservative attitude.

Question 12

Evaluate the view that the current Conservative party has moved away from Thatcherism [30] (Law + Order)

Answer 12

Attempts to move away from Cameron’s ‘hug a hoodie’. Crime become less of a electoral issue than previously.
HOWEVER,
Police and Sentencing Act + Public Order Act = more power in hands of police. Sunak anti-social behaviour plan - zero tolerance to anti-social behaviour. Commitment to banning sale of disposable vapes and possession of laughing gas.

Question 13

Evaluate the view that major parties agree more than they disagree [30] (Economy)

Answer 13

Both Tories + Labour agree some gov intervention is needed (COVID). Agree that privatised industries (rail) have not worked efficiently. Jeremy Hunt (Tory) had some elements of his budget which resembled those of New Labour.
HOWEVER,
Labour called for Windfall tax on energy companies + argued against Truss budget. Labour wanted more money for COVID recovery + FSM during sch holidays, Starmer calls for public owned energy company.

Question 13

Evaluate the view that major parties agree more than they disagree [30] (Welfare)

Answer 13

Since Blair, major parties started to come closer on welfare agreements. Since COVID - Tories put more money into NHS, welfare increased with inflation + Tories gave energy bill handouts. Support for pension rises.
HOWEVER,
Tories during austerity put less money into public services - Labour accused them of underfunding. NHS Crisis, ambulance and A+E waiting times. Mismanagement of funds during COVID.

Question 13

Evaluate the view that major parties agree more than they disagree [30] (Constitution)

Answer 13

Cameron embraced constitutional reform on same lines as Blair. Cameron widened devolution, including creation of metro-mayors.
HOWEVER,
Starmer wants ‘take back control pill’ if he becomes PM, sending more power to metro-mayors and deepening devolution. He also showed support for abolishing HOL and turning it into indirectly elected body of regions. Does not want to scrap HRA.

Question 14

Evaluate the view that we no longer have a two party system in the UK [30] (Westminster)

Answer 14

2010 Coalition - LD significant power over ‘quad’, advocated for university tuition fees and civil marriage/rights issues which were adopted. DUP confidence and supply coalition 2017 with May’s government, had infuence over Brexit and won support for cash grants to farmers.
HOWEVER,
FPTP remains hegemony of Tory Party + Labour party as they are the only ones with realistic chance of majority. 2019 saw return of ‘orthodox’ majority under FPTP despite Tories winning 50,000 votes per seat and Greens winning 800,000 votes per seat.

Question 15

Evaluate the view that we no longer have a two party system in the UK [30] (Devolved Assembly)

Answer 15

The SNP have support from 45% of the Scottish population. 2014 independence referendum - nationalist sentiment, 2015 the SNP won 48 of the 59 seats in Scotland at Westminster. Despite the AMS system used in Scotland being designed to create coalitions, the SNP continues to dominate.
HOWEVER,
All 24 Mayors in England come from Tory/Labour. SNP influence on decline - left EU despite their views against. Minor parties from devolved assemblies undermined as Westminster still retains control of ‘reserved powers’, used in the case of the GRB.

Question 16

Evaluate the view that we no longer have a two party system in the UK [30] (Pressure)

Answer 16

UKIP function like P.Group - forced Cameron to have Brexit referendum, Greens succeeded in promoting policy to national level through platform in parliament.
HOWEVER,
After Brexit, UKIP became irrelevant, Tories adopted policies of achieving net-zero by 2050 (policy poaching).

Question 17

Evaluate the view that Labour is internally divided (Economy)

Answer 17

Supporters of Corbyn and the Momentum faction take a far left wing view of mass nationalisation. Corbyn wanted to nationalise broadband, which clashed with Blairites and Third Way. Starmer more centrist, weary of too much spending/tax commitments.
HOWEVER,
Division is less stark since the election of Starmer since he has purged the party of left wing members such as Corbyn and Rebecca Long-Bailey. Starmer himself has shown support for nationalisation, calling for a publicly owned energy company.

Question 18

Evaluate the view that Labour is internally divided (Blue Labour)

Answer 18

Argue that the party has become too elitist and B.Labour adopts socially conservative values, emphasising the importance of patriotism and limiting immigration. Contrast of the ideas of Corbyn and McDonnell who supported immigration and were anti-war.
HOWEVER,
Very small faction within the Labour Party as only a few MPs subscribe to Blue Labour. Starmer has shown patriotic values, in an attempt to win back the lost ‘redwall’ seats in Northern England. Blue Labour’s ideas have lost favour post Brexit.

Question 19

Evaluate the view that Labour is internally divided (Public Services)

Answer 19

More private provision in healthcare to reduce waiting lists as well as being cautious of supporting picket lines and wholesale salary rises, contrasting with those that argue public services should remain out of the private sector.
HOWEVER,
Policies on public sector divide the mainstream from ‘some’ within the party, since most accept reformist rather than radical ideas.

Question 20

To what extent to Conservatives have a common view of human nature? (Hobbes Agreements)

Answer 20

Most Conservatives agree human nature requires a organic society, Hobbes (Traditional) - ‘humans are driven by a perpetual and restless desire for power’ - human imperfection is innate, cannot be transformed. View that many neo-conservatives and traditional’s agree. All other aspects (not neo-c) agree that human imperfection creates craving communities + structure of organic society to protect from themselves.

Question 21

To what extent to Conservatives have a common view of human nature? (Traditional Disagreement)

Answer 21

Traditionals such as Burke and Oakeshott take a sceptical view of h.nature, exemplifying the French and Russian Revolution horrors as schemes of supposedly idealistic movements. This contrasts with new right Conservatives such as Rand and Nozick who take the positive view of individuals with initiative and liberty. They argue that the key to unlocking human potential lies in a pro-capitalist environment where indivdual energies are unleashed.