Edexcel A Level Politics Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
Why is parliamentary sovereignty considered a key principle of the UK constitution?
✔✔ Parliamentary sovereignty means that Parliament is the highest legal authority and can
create, amend, or repeal any law.
What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK political system?
✔✔ The Prime Minister leads the government, sets policy direction, and is responsible for
appointing ministers.
How does the rule of law protect citizens?
✔✔ The rule of law ensures that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law and
treated equally.
What is the main function of the House of Commons?
✔✔ The House of Commons debates, amends, and passes legislation and holds the government
to account.
Why is the House of Lords sometimes described as a revising chamber?
✔✔ The House of Lords scrutinises legislation in detail and suggests amendments to improve
bills.
1
,What is a general election?
✔✔ A general election is when voters choose Members of Parliament to represent them in the
House of Commons.
Why do pressure groups exist in a democracy?
✔✔ Pressure groups exist to influence government decisions and represent specific interests or
causes.
What is meant by a mandate in UK politics?
✔✔ A mandate is the authority given to a government to implement policies promised in its
election manifesto.
How does first-past-the-post work in UK elections?
✔✔ The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they do not achieve a
majority.
Why is the UK constitution described as uncodified?
✔✔ The UK constitution is uncodified because it is not written in a single document but spread
across laws, conventions, and traditions.
What is the main purpose of Prime Minister’s Questions?
2
,✔✔ Prime Minister’s Questions allow MPs to question the Prime Minister and hold the
government accountable.
How do referendums increase political participation?
✔✔ Referendums allow citizens to vote directly on important political issues.
What is collective ministerial responsibility?
✔✔ It means that ministers must publicly support government decisions or resign.
Why is an independent judiciary important?
✔✔ An independent judiciary ensures fair interpretation of the law without political influence.
What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?
✔✔ The Speaker maintains order and ensures fair debate during parliamentary sessions.
How does devolution differ from federalism?
✔✔ Devolution transfers powers from central government but does not make them permanent,
unlike federalism.
What is meant by electoral mandate legitimacy?
✔✔ It refers to the public acceptance of a government’s right to govern based on election results.
3
, Why are manifestos important in elections?
✔✔ Manifestos outline party policies and help voters make informed choices.
What is the purpose of select committees?
✔✔ Select committees scrutinise government departments and investigate policy effectiveness.
How does the UK protect civil liberties?
✔✔ Civil liberties are protected through laws, courts, and institutions such as the Human Rights
Act.
What is meant by political participation?
✔✔ Political participation involves activities through which citizens engage with politics, such
as voting or campaigning.
Why is turnout important in elections?
✔✔ High turnout suggests strong democratic engagement and legitimacy.
What is meant by minority government?
✔✔ A minority government occurs when the governing party does not hold a majority of seats in
Parliament.
Why are by-elections held?
4
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
Why is parliamentary sovereignty considered a key principle of the UK constitution?
✔✔ Parliamentary sovereignty means that Parliament is the highest legal authority and can
create, amend, or repeal any law.
What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK political system?
✔✔ The Prime Minister leads the government, sets policy direction, and is responsible for
appointing ministers.
How does the rule of law protect citizens?
✔✔ The rule of law ensures that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law and
treated equally.
What is the main function of the House of Commons?
✔✔ The House of Commons debates, amends, and passes legislation and holds the government
to account.
Why is the House of Lords sometimes described as a revising chamber?
✔✔ The House of Lords scrutinises legislation in detail and suggests amendments to improve
bills.
1
,What is a general election?
✔✔ A general election is when voters choose Members of Parliament to represent them in the
House of Commons.
Why do pressure groups exist in a democracy?
✔✔ Pressure groups exist to influence government decisions and represent specific interests or
causes.
What is meant by a mandate in UK politics?
✔✔ A mandate is the authority given to a government to implement policies promised in its
election manifesto.
How does first-past-the-post work in UK elections?
✔✔ The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they do not achieve a
majority.
Why is the UK constitution described as uncodified?
✔✔ The UK constitution is uncodified because it is not written in a single document but spread
across laws, conventions, and traditions.
What is the main purpose of Prime Minister’s Questions?
2
,✔✔ Prime Minister’s Questions allow MPs to question the Prime Minister and hold the
government accountable.
How do referendums increase political participation?
✔✔ Referendums allow citizens to vote directly on important political issues.
What is collective ministerial responsibility?
✔✔ It means that ministers must publicly support government decisions or resign.
Why is an independent judiciary important?
✔✔ An independent judiciary ensures fair interpretation of the law without political influence.
What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?
✔✔ The Speaker maintains order and ensures fair debate during parliamentary sessions.
How does devolution differ from federalism?
✔✔ Devolution transfers powers from central government but does not make them permanent,
unlike federalism.
What is meant by electoral mandate legitimacy?
✔✔ It refers to the public acceptance of a government’s right to govern based on election results.
3
, Why are manifestos important in elections?
✔✔ Manifestos outline party policies and help voters make informed choices.
What is the purpose of select committees?
✔✔ Select committees scrutinise government departments and investigate policy effectiveness.
How does the UK protect civil liberties?
✔✔ Civil liberties are protected through laws, courts, and institutions such as the Human Rights
Act.
What is meant by political participation?
✔✔ Political participation involves activities through which citizens engage with politics, such
as voting or campaigning.
Why is turnout important in elections?
✔✔ High turnout suggests strong democratic engagement and legitimacy.
What is meant by minority government?
✔✔ A minority government occurs when the governing party does not hold a majority of seats in
Parliament.
Why are by-elections held?
4
