modern politics
Which type of pressure group has close, regular access to government ministers and civil servants?
Insider Pressure Groups
What is an example of an Insider Pressure Group mentioned in the notes?
British Medical Association (BMA).
What kind of groups are Select Committees composed of?
Cross-party groups of MPs that investigate the work of government departments.
What is the primary aim of the Additional Member System (AMS)?
To balance local representation with greater proportionality.
What is a limitation of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) regarding genuine scrutiny?
Exchanges are often theatrical and defensive.
When do Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) take place?
Every Wednesday at 12pm
What is one issue men are more likely to prioritize compared to women?
Immigration or national security.
What is a limitation of referendums regarding debate?
They do not always end debate (e.g., Brexit and Scottish independence remain contentious).
Compared to age and class, how significant are gender differences in voting behaviour?
Modest
What is a key strength of PMQs regarding public visibility?
It is broadcast live and widely shared online, creating significant public pressure on the Prime Minister.
How many votes does each voter have under the Additional Member System (AMS)?
Two votes.
What is a key strength of Select Committees in terms of their scrutiny?
They conduct detailed, evidence-based investigations.
For which elections is the First Past the Post (FPTP) system primarily used in the UK?
UK General Elections
How does a candidate win in a First Past the Post (FPTP) election?
The candidate with the most votes wins (a plurality).
What term describes the weakening pattern of class as a predictor of vote choice since the 1970s?
Class dealignment.
What is a main limitation of Select Committees regarding government action?
Ministers can ignore recommendations, especially with a strong Commons majority.
What is the most common form of political participation?
Voting in elections.
What is a clear generational divide in voting patterns highlighted in the notes?
Under-50s strongly favour Labour or progressive parties.
What is a key strength of Outsider Pressure Groups?
High public visibility through dramatic actions.
When is voting on legislation in the House of Commons considered highly effective?
During minority government periods.
How do university graduates typically vote in recent elections?
Tend to support Labour, Lib Dems, or Greens.
What is a primary criticism of the Supplementary Vote (SV) system regarding proportionality?
It is not proportional as only one person wins.
What is a key strength of petitions in terms of participation?
They have a low barrier to participation.
What type of pressure group represents a specific group of workers or professionals?
Sectional Pressure Group.
What is a strength of voting in elections regarding government formation?
It allows direct influence over who forms the government.
Which electoral system is used for Scottish Local Council Elections?
Single Transferable Vote (STV)
What is a significant disadvantage of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system concerning local links?
Larger wards weaken the local link, making it harder to contact councillors and representation less clear.
What is a key disadvantage of FPTP regarding electoral outcomes?
It often produces extremely disproportional outcomes, where seat share does not reflect national vote share.
A major advantage of FPTP is its simplicity and speed. What is an example of this speed mentioned in the notes?
The first constituency results declared within an hour and a half.
Traditionally, what was the strongest predictor of vote choice in UK elections?
Social Class
What is a key factor that often shapes regional voting preferences in Scotland?
Constitutional issues like independence
How do turnout differences amplify age influence in elections?
Older voters participate at much higher rates, giving their preferences more electoral weight.
What are the four core democratic functions of Parliament?
To represent the public, scrutinise the government, make laws, and hold ministers to account.
What is the House of Lords primarily described as in the notes?
The unelected revising chamber.
What often explains much of the variation in regional voting patterns, overriding simple regional identity?
Economic structure, class composition, and local issues.
What is a key advantage of the First Past the Post system regarding government stability?
Usually produces stable single-party governments.
What does STV aim to maximize for voters?
Voter choice
According to the notes, what do women tend to prioritise compared to men when voting?
Cost-of-living and public services
What electoral system is used for Mayors and Police & Crime Commissioners?
Supplementary Vote (SV)
What is a key criticism of the Supplementary Vote system concerning proportionality?
It is still not proportional, often rubber-stamping the first-round leader.
What is a disadvantage of AMS regarding accountability?
Two types of MSP confuse accountability.
When do Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) typically take place in the House of Commons?
Every Wednesday at 12pm.
What is a limit to age being the sole predictor of voting behaviour?
It often overlaps with class and wealth.
Name one dominant national issue that shaped the 2024 election, according to the notes.
Economic pressures / desire for political change
What type of electoral system is the Additional Member System (AMS)?
Hybrid (FPTP + Proportional List)
Which of these describes how economic interests influence working-class voters' party preference?
They often favor parties promising public spending and welfare support.
What is a major limitation of PMQs regarding its theatrical nature?
MPs shout, heckle and rehearse questions / Much of the PM's response is pre-prepared and defensive
Overall, how does the impact of gender on voting behaviour compare to age or class?
Its overall impact is limited compared to age, class or political issues.
How many votes does each voter have under the Additional Member System?
Two separate votes.
What happens if a UK e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures?
It is usually debated in Parliament.
In the 2024 General Election, how quickly did the first constituency (Houghton & Sunderland South) declare its result after polls closed?
73 minutes
When is voting on legislation in the House of Commons considered 'very effective'?
During minority government.
Under the Supplementary Vote system, if no candidate gets 50%+ of first preferences, what happens next?
Only the top two candidates remain, and second preferences are redistributed.
What is a key strength of Select Committees regarding their scrutiny?
They conduct detailed, evidence-based scrutiny.
What is the House of Lords often referred to as, given its role in legislation?
The unelected revising chamber
Since the 1970s, what process has weakened the traditional pattern of class being the strongest predictor of vote choice?
Class dealignment
Name one way age influences voting behaviour, according to the notes.
Clear generational divides
How many days per year do opposition parties control parliamentary business?
20 days
For which elections is the Single Transferable Vote (STV) used in Scotland?
Scottish Local Council Elections
Name one advantage of the Supplementary Vote system.
Produces winners with broader support
Which electoral system is used for UK General Elections?
First Past the Post
Which of these is a strength of the House of Lords?
It is independent from the government, with no single party majority.
Which of these is a major disadvantage of the First Past the Post system?
Extremely disproportional outcomes.
A disadvantage of STV is that it can lead to which type of government, often unstable?
Unstable coalition administrations.
Name one advantage of the Additional Member System over FPTP concerning proportionality.
More proportional than FPTP
What is a key limitation of motions passed on Opposition Days?
They are non-binding and do not require policy change.
Name two of the four core democratic functions of the UK Parliament.
Represent the public, scrutinise the government (or make laws, hold ministers to account)
How many constituencies are there in UK General Elections using FPTP, and how many MPs does each elect?
650 constituencies, 1 MP each
What is one limitation of Select Committees in terms of their power?
Cannot force government action
How do voters cast their ballots under the Single Transferable Vote system?
By ranking candidates (1, 2, 3...).