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EnglandCitizenship Studies

Democracy at work in the UK

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is power shared between Westminster and the nations of the UK?

The powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and how relations are changing between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including views on devolution and independence.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on the powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and how relations between the four nations are changing, including views on devolution and independence.
9 min answer →

How do elections work and how does first-past-the-post compare with proportional representation?

Representative and direct democracy and their strengths and weaknesses, how the Westminster first-past-the-post system operates, who can and cannot vote, debates about the franchise, and first-past-the-post compared with proportional representation.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on representative and direct democracy, how first-past-the-post operates, who can and cannot vote, debates about the franchise, and first-past-the-post compared with proportional representation.
10 min answer →

How is a government formed and how is it organised?

The process of forming a government including the role of the monarch, what happens when no single party can form a government and a coalition is formed, and the organisation of government into departments, ministries and agencies staffed by civil servants.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on how a government is formed, the role of the monarch, what happens in a hung parliament and coalition, and how government is organised into departments and agencies staffed by civil servants.
9 min answer →

How does a bill become a law?

How a bill becomes law, including debate in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, scrutiny by committees, and royal assent.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on how a bill becomes law, including debate in the House of Commons and House of Lords, scrutiny by committees, and royal assent.
8 min answer →

What do the main political parties stand for and how are candidates chosen?

The key philosophical differences between the major political parties standing in UK general elections, and how candidates are selected to stand for a constituency.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on the broad philosophical differences between the major political parties standing in UK general elections, and how candidates are selected to stand in a constituency.
9 min answer →

How does the government raise and spend public money?

How direct and indirect taxes are raised by central government, the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in budgeting and allocating public funding, and different views about provision for welfare, health, the care of the elderly and education.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on how direct and indirect taxes are raised, the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in budgeting, and different views about provision for welfare, health, care of the elderly and education.
9 min answer →

What is the UK constitution and how does it hold power in check?

The institutions of the British constitution, that the UK has an uncodified constitution and how it is changing through devolution and former EU membership, and parliamentary sovereignty, checks and balances and judicial review.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on the institutions of the British constitution, the uncodified constitution and how it is changing, and parliamentary sovereignty, checks and balances and judicial review.
9 min answer →

How is the Westminster Parliament made up and who does what in it?

The distinction between executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy, the roles of the Houses of Commons and Lords, and the roles of the prime minister, cabinet and ministers, the opposition, speaker, whips, frontbench and backbench MPs, Black Rod and an MP representing constituents.
A focused answer for Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies on the difference between executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy, the roles of the Commons and Lords, and the roles of the prime minister, cabinet, opposition, speaker, whips, frontbench and backbench MPs, and an MP representing constituents.
10 min answer →