PEARSON EDEXCEL A-LEVEL POLITICS
Essentials of
UK POLITICS AND
GOVERNMENT
FIFTH EDITION
ANDREW HEYWOOD
KATHY SCHINDLER
Endorsed for ADAM TOMES
2GCRSON'FGWEGĚ3TCĚKĂECěKONS
,Endorsement Statement
In order to ensure that this resource offers high-quality support for the associated Pearson qualification, it has been
through a review process by the awarding body. This process confirms that this resource fully covers the teaching and
learning content of the specification or part of a specification at which it is aimed. It also confirms that it demonstrates an
appropriate balance between the development of subject skills, knowledge and understanding, in addition to preparation
for assessment.
Endorsement does not cover any guidance on assessment activities or processes (e.g. practice questions or advice on
how to answer assessment questions), included in the resource nor does it prescribe any particular approach to the
teaching or delivery of a related course.
While the publishers have made every attempt to ensure that advice on the qualification and its assessment is accurate,
the official specification and associated assessment guidance materials are the only authoritative source of information
and should always be referred to for definitive guidance.
Pearson examiners have not contributed to any sections in this resource relevant to examination papers for which they
have responsibility.
Examiners will not use endorsed resources as a source of material for any assessment set by Pearson. Endorsement of a
resource does not mean that the resource is required to achieve this Pearson qualification, nor does it mean that it is the
only suitable material available to support the qualification, and any resource lists produced by the awarding body shall
include this and other appropriate resources.
,‘This definitive companion to Edexcel A-Level Politics will prove indispensable for students. Essentials of UK Politics and
Government presents the study of Politics as it should be, a living and breathing discipline that evolves through debate.
It not only provides students with a lively and highly readable guide to the specification content, but also develops their
understanding of how to use this content when responding to essay and source questions. A valuable learning and
teaching tool that will undoubtedly improve grades.’
– Benjamin Smith, Wrekin College, Shropshire
‘An engaging and accessible access point to Politics with sage exam advice and contemporary examples to support and
challenge students’ thinking. This is the go to text for A-Level Politics.’
– Sarah Bennett, New College, Swindon
‘Clear, concise and up-to-date, the new edition of Essentials of UK Politics and Government is a fantastic companion
to the Edexcel Politics A-Level and a great tool in aiding students in their studies. The book lays out information in a
way that is going to help students to access and engage with the material with ease. The topical case studies and the
presentation of key debates in a “for and against” format lends itself nicely to being applied to essay style questions. I
can see my students benefiting greatly from this textbook.’
– Louis Sugden, Jumeirah College, Dubai
‘Essentials of UK Politics and Government provides an excellently comprehensive guide to the Edexcel Paper 1 and
2 specifications. Using debates to present complex course content, it allows students to develop their thinking. Clear
signposting of synoptic links and definitions means that this textbook suits all students, providing students both the
opportunity to check their understanding of the fundamentals as well as stretch and challenge themselves. I would
highly recommend this to teachers and students in the Politics community.’
– Lucy Ryall, Poole High School, Poole
‘An accessible and intuitive guide to A-Level Politics. This comprehensive book offers vital guidance on how to effectively
teach, and understand, all aspects of the syllabus. I highly recommend this book to help guide teachers, as well as
students.’
– Suzanne Asherson, Menorah High School, London
‘Essentials of UK Politics and Government has everything students need in an A-Level textbook. This is a book that
develops students’ skills, deepens their knowledge and ignites debates. Students of A-Level Politics will find this book
helpful, engaging and thought-provoking. Fresh, accessible and well-laid out, I would highly recommend this to fellow
A-Level Politics departments.’
– Dom Giles, Stratford Girls’ Grammar School
‘This book is an excellent tool for any student studying A-Level Politics, or any teacher teaching it. The clear layout
of different topics in a for and against structure perfectly suits students’ learning needs, and the helpful graphs and
infographics make key information clear and easy to understand.’
– Laurie Huggett-Wilde, Godalming College
, ESSENTIALS OF
UK POLITICS AND
GOVERNMENT
PEARSON EDEXCEL A-LEVEL
Andrew Heywood
Kathy Schindler
Adam Tomes
Fifth edition
Essentials of
UK POLITICS AND
GOVERNMENT
FIFTH EDITION
ANDREW HEYWOOD
KATHY SCHINDLER
Endorsed for ADAM TOMES
2GCRSON'FGWEGĚ3TCĚKĂECěKONS
,Endorsement Statement
In order to ensure that this resource offers high-quality support for the associated Pearson qualification, it has been
through a review process by the awarding body. This process confirms that this resource fully covers the teaching and
learning content of the specification or part of a specification at which it is aimed. It also confirms that it demonstrates an
appropriate balance between the development of subject skills, knowledge and understanding, in addition to preparation
for assessment.
Endorsement does not cover any guidance on assessment activities or processes (e.g. practice questions or advice on
how to answer assessment questions), included in the resource nor does it prescribe any particular approach to the
teaching or delivery of a related course.
While the publishers have made every attempt to ensure that advice on the qualification and its assessment is accurate,
the official specification and associated assessment guidance materials are the only authoritative source of information
and should always be referred to for definitive guidance.
Pearson examiners have not contributed to any sections in this resource relevant to examination papers for which they
have responsibility.
Examiners will not use endorsed resources as a source of material for any assessment set by Pearson. Endorsement of a
resource does not mean that the resource is required to achieve this Pearson qualification, nor does it mean that it is the
only suitable material available to support the qualification, and any resource lists produced by the awarding body shall
include this and other appropriate resources.
,‘This definitive companion to Edexcel A-Level Politics will prove indispensable for students. Essentials of UK Politics and
Government presents the study of Politics as it should be, a living and breathing discipline that evolves through debate.
It not only provides students with a lively and highly readable guide to the specification content, but also develops their
understanding of how to use this content when responding to essay and source questions. A valuable learning and
teaching tool that will undoubtedly improve grades.’
– Benjamin Smith, Wrekin College, Shropshire
‘An engaging and accessible access point to Politics with sage exam advice and contemporary examples to support and
challenge students’ thinking. This is the go to text for A-Level Politics.’
– Sarah Bennett, New College, Swindon
‘Clear, concise and up-to-date, the new edition of Essentials of UK Politics and Government is a fantastic companion
to the Edexcel Politics A-Level and a great tool in aiding students in their studies. The book lays out information in a
way that is going to help students to access and engage with the material with ease. The topical case studies and the
presentation of key debates in a “for and against” format lends itself nicely to being applied to essay style questions. I
can see my students benefiting greatly from this textbook.’
– Louis Sugden, Jumeirah College, Dubai
‘Essentials of UK Politics and Government provides an excellently comprehensive guide to the Edexcel Paper 1 and
2 specifications. Using debates to present complex course content, it allows students to develop their thinking. Clear
signposting of synoptic links and definitions means that this textbook suits all students, providing students both the
opportunity to check their understanding of the fundamentals as well as stretch and challenge themselves. I would
highly recommend this to teachers and students in the Politics community.’
– Lucy Ryall, Poole High School, Poole
‘An accessible and intuitive guide to A-Level Politics. This comprehensive book offers vital guidance on how to effectively
teach, and understand, all aspects of the syllabus. I highly recommend this book to help guide teachers, as well as
students.’
– Suzanne Asherson, Menorah High School, London
‘Essentials of UK Politics and Government has everything students need in an A-Level textbook. This is a book that
develops students’ skills, deepens their knowledge and ignites debates. Students of A-Level Politics will find this book
helpful, engaging and thought-provoking. Fresh, accessible and well-laid out, I would highly recommend this to fellow
A-Level Politics departments.’
– Dom Giles, Stratford Girls’ Grammar School
‘This book is an excellent tool for any student studying A-Level Politics, or any teacher teaching it. The clear layout
of different topics in a for and against structure perfectly suits students’ learning needs, and the helpful graphs and
infographics make key information clear and easy to understand.’
– Laurie Huggett-Wilde, Godalming College
, ESSENTIALS OF
UK POLITICS AND
GOVERNMENT
PEARSON EDEXCEL A-LEVEL
Andrew Heywood
Kathy Schindler
Adam Tomes
Fifth edition
