Paper 2 · 2020 · 30 marks
Using the source, evaluate the view that the principal role of backbench MPs is now to hold the government to account.
Parliament
Source
Source 1 considers the changing role of backbench MPs. It was written in 2019 when Theresa May was still the Prime Minister.
The case that backbenchers now hold government to account
In the mid-20th century, most backbenchers loyally did whatever the front benchers told them to do. Party loyalty was all important, and between 1945 and 1970 there were no government defeats due to backbench rebellions. Recently, May's government was defeated more often in the Commons than Cameron's, losing the vote on her 'Brexit' deal in January 2019 by 230 votes, after 118 Conservative MPs rebelled.
Backbenchers are asserting parliament's sovereignty. Whips are weaker and MPs are more willing to defy their party, claiming to 'represent' their constituents instead. Governments avoid defeats by backing down as May did over additional grammar schools. MPs increasingly use select committees, urgent questions and the Backbench Business Committee to exert their influence.
The case that backbenchers still do more than hold government to account
MPs continue to undertake constituency work, holding regular surgeries, representing their geographical area. They debate topical issues of the day. They act on constituents' problems by asking questions, writing to ministers, voting for new legislation where needed and legitimising parliamentary decisions.
Some argue that Brexit is very much a 'one-off', with a deeply divided minority government and a divided opposition. If so, government dominance may soon be restored. Or, alternatively, perhaps things will never be the same again.
Mark scheme: agreement
AO1: On the graph, age shows a consistent pattern in how people vote.
AO2: As a person ages they become more inclined to vote Conservative and the younger they are more inclined to vote Labour.
AO3: Given the clear correlation we can conclude that age is the deciding factor in how people will cast their vote.
AO1: Age has replaced class and region as the clear indicator of voting intentions.
AO2: Class and partisan dealignment has bought about this change and renders class and region now an uncertain guide to voting patterns.
AO3: We can reach a verdict that as we progress through time there are fluctuating variables which better explain voting patterns.
AO1: The as the source mentions, according to YouGov, media is a major factor in indicating how a person will vote.
AO2: The newspapers may have declined in readership but are still influential as are other forms of social media.
AO3: The media, including social media are decisive factors in how people vote. Newspaper choice may reflect the reader's views rather than altering it.
Mark scheme: disagreement
AO1: The importance of age must also take turnout into consideration.
AO2: Turnout for the younger age bracket is far less than for the older age bracket.
AO3: We can conclude that age by itself is an insufficient guide to how people vote.
AO1: A person's class and where they live is an important indicator of how they vote.
AO2: We can see the establishment of safe seats and political heartlands which make more impact. This may link to class alignment.
AO3: We can conclude that class and region are far more important than age.
AO1: The work a person does, whether private or public sector is also an important indicator of how they vote.
AO2: A person may be motivated by the care and concern of others in a public agency such as the NHS.
AO3: Hence a person's employment background indicates decisively how people vote.