A-Level Politics 2026 Essay Plans
About me & how to use these essay plans!
Hi, I’m Fran!
I sat my A-Levels earlier this year in 2025 and achieved an A* in politics, as a result, ive decided to share
the essay plans that I used as revison to help you out! The plans are separated into Uk politics, Uk
Government, US politics and the Ideaologies. I did feminism for my depth study ideaologies and so
therefore I only have feminism for that part of the course ( Aside from socialism, conservatism and
liberalism of course!) I have also updated these plans with recent examples from 2025 but of course In
order to make sure youre up to date keep checking the news for political updates you can add in!
Moreover, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF on this document do not panic, I can
honestly say I did not memorise the whole document and instead just had a solid understanding of most
of the arguments,(The key is that yuour examples are interchangeable as it is much easier to think of
arguments on the spot than it is examples!) Keep an eye on this document and spend some time
memorising key arguments and examples and you will be fine.
Ps. I also have a detailed essay and tweleve marker structure with A* examples & my top tips and hacks
on how to work smarter and not harder available on my page. I also offer 1/1 tutoring servives in politics
and History A- level
UK Politics essay plans
Topic one – The constitution
, After the example, try practicing the this shows to explain how your example
links to back up for main point.
DEVOLUTION
Evaluate the view that devolution reforms have not gone far enough?
For
- There are still calls from within Scotland for devomax/independence
For example – the 2021 supreme court case which ruled only England had the
right to put another Scottish independence referendum in place.
This shows that there is clearly appetite for further extension of devolution from
within Scotland and therefore reasons that it should be extended. (* basically if
there is PUBLIC APETTITE for reform then it should happen!)
Against
- As increased Scottish devolution the west Lothian question thickens. By
increasing devolved power to Scotland. For example the removal of EVEL in
2021 proves that there is still a gap in which Scottish mps can have a say on
English laws. Futher revolution would prevail this question and undermine
democracy of the uk.
*Always try and ‘pair’ arguments that fit together in the same paragraph (as a counter and your point) This will make
sure that your judgment at the end of the paragraph is easier for you to write and argue!
For
-
Political power within England is still centralised within Westminster. For
example there are only 25 elected mayors in the uk and 10 metro mayors. Which
have great impact- Andy bunham Greater Manchester mayor had a significant
impact on executive scrutiny throughout covid 19. This shows that with greater
devolution the executive can be held to account better, better democratic
legitimacy.
Against
- There is lack of appetite in England for greater devolution which suggests that
the public just do not want/ care about this. The 2004 referendum for the north
east of England suggested that 78% of people who voted voted against futher
devolution. The police and crime commisoners elections in 2012 were just at
15% turnout.
For
- Wales is still heavily reliant on England and still suffers English problems. Such
as thecost of living aFor example demands to devolve policing and justice to
wales wer declines. Devolution has not sufficiently addressed economic
inequality between Wales and other parts of the UK. Wales has one of the lowest
GDP per capita rates in the UK, and many argue that greater fiscal powers or
targeted economic strategies are needed to close the gap.
-
Against-
- Reggional inequalities – increase in devolution would continue to expand the
regional inequalities between different parts of the uk. For example
perscriptions under 25 in wales are free, Scottish tution fees for HE are free.
There is also difference In education quality as in Scotland children are
- More likely to fall behind on the PISA. Increased devolution would only increase
the gap In policy difference and inequality throughout the uk.
, - Pp per person 25 below average in England and 11% above in Scotland.
ETVT PARLIAMENT IS STILL NEEDS REFORM
1. House of lords reform.
For reform
Absentee peers. From 2015-2022 14% of ppers rarely or never attented the chamber.
Needs more democratic legitimacy. Ie. Peers with no political significance. Charlotte
owen. ( Appointed by Boris jhonson and the youngest ever peer, there were significant
questions rasied about her authority and why she was made a peer, read the articles)
Removal of hereditary peers, who are born into the role and not put their by specialism.
Eg. Lord sandwich. These work against democracy and the peers have no democratic
legitimacy.
Against reform
Too much power to the executive
The Lords provide scrutiny without party pressure, and many peers are experts in their fields
—medicine, law, science, etc. Reforming it into an elected chamber could kill that
Eg,. Baroness Lawrence – Policing crime and justice. *Stephen Lawrence.
Expertise makes scruity more valuable and credible, therefore is a significant check on
the executive and should be kept!.
Fe- HOL – also challenges parliament with effective scrunity of big bills they discuss.
Public Order Bill (2023): Lords weakened excessive police powers like "pre-emptive
arrests" at protests.
gridlock, Hol backs down- And therefore is not in competition with the elected
chamber. Rawanda(2024) they tried to amend but had to back down. At least 10 formal
ammendments.
The failiure of previous reforms suggest that its not worth trying to reform the Hol. 2012
Clegg Reform Bill: coalition tried to bring in 80% elected peers—flopped because of cost,
public apathy, and Tory rebellion.
RIGHTS PROTECTION
Are we in favour of keeping the Human rights act?
Abolish.
About me & how to use these essay plans!
Hi, I’m Fran!
I sat my A-Levels earlier this year in 2025 and achieved an A* in politics, as a result, ive decided to share
the essay plans that I used as revison to help you out! The plans are separated into Uk politics, Uk
Government, US politics and the Ideaologies. I did feminism for my depth study ideaologies and so
therefore I only have feminism for that part of the course ( Aside from socialism, conservatism and
liberalism of course!) I have also updated these plans with recent examples from 2025 but of course In
order to make sure youre up to date keep checking the news for political updates you can add in!
Moreover, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF on this document do not panic, I can
honestly say I did not memorise the whole document and instead just had a solid understanding of most
of the arguments,(The key is that yuour examples are interchangeable as it is much easier to think of
arguments on the spot than it is examples!) Keep an eye on this document and spend some time
memorising key arguments and examples and you will be fine.
Ps. I also have a detailed essay and tweleve marker structure with A* examples & my top tips and hacks
on how to work smarter and not harder available on my page. I also offer 1/1 tutoring servives in politics
and History A- level
UK Politics essay plans
Topic one – The constitution
, After the example, try practicing the this shows to explain how your example
links to back up for main point.
DEVOLUTION
Evaluate the view that devolution reforms have not gone far enough?
For
- There are still calls from within Scotland for devomax/independence
For example – the 2021 supreme court case which ruled only England had the
right to put another Scottish independence referendum in place.
This shows that there is clearly appetite for further extension of devolution from
within Scotland and therefore reasons that it should be extended. (* basically if
there is PUBLIC APETTITE for reform then it should happen!)
Against
- As increased Scottish devolution the west Lothian question thickens. By
increasing devolved power to Scotland. For example the removal of EVEL in
2021 proves that there is still a gap in which Scottish mps can have a say on
English laws. Futher revolution would prevail this question and undermine
democracy of the uk.
*Always try and ‘pair’ arguments that fit together in the same paragraph (as a counter and your point) This will make
sure that your judgment at the end of the paragraph is easier for you to write and argue!
For
-
Political power within England is still centralised within Westminster. For
example there are only 25 elected mayors in the uk and 10 metro mayors. Which
have great impact- Andy bunham Greater Manchester mayor had a significant
impact on executive scrutiny throughout covid 19. This shows that with greater
devolution the executive can be held to account better, better democratic
legitimacy.
Against
- There is lack of appetite in England for greater devolution which suggests that
the public just do not want/ care about this. The 2004 referendum for the north
east of England suggested that 78% of people who voted voted against futher
devolution. The police and crime commisoners elections in 2012 were just at
15% turnout.
For
- Wales is still heavily reliant on England and still suffers English problems. Such
as thecost of living aFor example demands to devolve policing and justice to
wales wer declines. Devolution has not sufficiently addressed economic
inequality between Wales and other parts of the UK. Wales has one of the lowest
GDP per capita rates in the UK, and many argue that greater fiscal powers or
targeted economic strategies are needed to close the gap.
-
Against-
- Reggional inequalities – increase in devolution would continue to expand the
regional inequalities between different parts of the uk. For example
perscriptions under 25 in wales are free, Scottish tution fees for HE are free.
There is also difference In education quality as in Scotland children are
- More likely to fall behind on the PISA. Increased devolution would only increase
the gap In policy difference and inequality throughout the uk.
, - Pp per person 25 below average in England and 11% above in Scotland.
ETVT PARLIAMENT IS STILL NEEDS REFORM
1. House of lords reform.
For reform
Absentee peers. From 2015-2022 14% of ppers rarely or never attented the chamber.
Needs more democratic legitimacy. Ie. Peers with no political significance. Charlotte
owen. ( Appointed by Boris jhonson and the youngest ever peer, there were significant
questions rasied about her authority and why she was made a peer, read the articles)
Removal of hereditary peers, who are born into the role and not put their by specialism.
Eg. Lord sandwich. These work against democracy and the peers have no democratic
legitimacy.
Against reform
Too much power to the executive
The Lords provide scrutiny without party pressure, and many peers are experts in their fields
—medicine, law, science, etc. Reforming it into an elected chamber could kill that
Eg,. Baroness Lawrence – Policing crime and justice. *Stephen Lawrence.
Expertise makes scruity more valuable and credible, therefore is a significant check on
the executive and should be kept!.
Fe- HOL – also challenges parliament with effective scrunity of big bills they discuss.
Public Order Bill (2023): Lords weakened excessive police powers like "pre-emptive
arrests" at protests.
gridlock, Hol backs down- And therefore is not in competition with the elected
chamber. Rawanda(2024) they tried to amend but had to back down. At least 10 formal
ammendments.
The failiure of previous reforms suggest that its not worth trying to reform the Hol. 2012
Clegg Reform Bill: coalition tried to bring in 80% elected peers—flopped because of cost,
public apathy, and Tory rebellion.
RIGHTS PROTECTION
Are we in favour of keeping the Human rights act?
Abolish.
