Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 1 | 2026 Predicted Paper
Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0/01
Predicted Paper 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
Time: 2 hours
Total marks: 84
Instructions
Answer three questions.
In Section A, answer either Question 1(a) or Question 1(b).
Then answer either Question 2(a) or Question 2(b).
In Section B, answer either Question 3(a) or Question 3(b).
The marks for each question are shown in brackets.
You should consider contrasting arguments and reach substantiated judgements where appropriate.
Source Booklet
Source 1 (a)
Social class and region as influences on voting behaviour
The 2024 general election provides evidence that the traditional relationship between social class and voting has weakened. Ipsos estimated that Labour received 36% of the vote among both AB and C1 voters, compared with 31% among C2 voters and 32% among DE voters. Conservative support also varied surprisingly little between the four groups, at approximately one quarter of voters in each. This appears to support the idea of class dealignment. Neither Labour nor the Conservatives can now depend upon the traditional class loyalties that once characterised British voting behaviour.
However, class has not become irrelevant. Reform UK's estimated support was 10% among AB voters but 25% among C2 voters. There were also substantial differences in estimated turnout. Ipsos estimated turnout at 67% among AB adults compared with 45% among DE adults. Social class may therefore remain important both in explaining which party some citizens support and whether they participate at all.
Geographical patterns also remained significant. In London, Labour received 43.0% of the vote in 2024, compared with 20.5% for the Conservatives and 8.7% for Reform UK. In the North East, Labour received 45.4%, but Reform UK's share rose to 19.9%, while the Conservatives received 20.2%. The different strength of parties across regions suggests that where a voter lives can still be connected to voting behaviour.
Yet regional variation does not necessarily prove that region itself determines voting. Regions contain different combinations of social classes, age groups and other types of voter. Class and region may interact rather than operate as completely separate explanations of voting behaviour.
This source has been written specifically for this paper using published 2024 election data. It is not a Pearson source.
Source 1 (b)
Has the UK developed into a multi-party system?
The 2024 general election demonstrates the continuing electoral strength of Labour and the Conservatives. Labour won 411 of the 650 House of Commons seats and the Conservatives won 121. Together, the two parties therefore secured 532 seats, more than four-fifths of the Commons. Labour was able to form a single-party majority government. First-past-the-post can reinforce the parliamentary position of the largest parties because winning seats depends upon coming first in individual constituencies rather than obtaining a particular national share of the vote.
Nevertheless, the national vote was considerably more fragmented. Labour received 33.7% and the Conservatives 23.7% of votes. Their combined vote share was therefore only 57.4%. Reform UK received 14.3%, the Liberal Democrats 12.2% and the Green parties 6.7%. These three parties alone received almost one-third of votes cast. Reform UK actually received a larger national vote share than the Liberal Democrats, although Reform won five seats compared with 72 for the Liberal Democrats.
These results suggest two different interpretations. One is that Britain remains dominated at Westminster by Labour and the Conservatives because the electoral system converts their support into a large majority of parliamentary seats. The alternative is that voters increasingly choose from a wider range of parties, so describing British politics simply as a two-party system understates the importance of minor and emerging parties.
This source has been written specifically for this paper using published 2024 general election results. It is not a Pearson source.
SECTION A
Political Participation
Answer ONE question from either Question 1(a) or Question 1(b), and then answer ONE question from either Question 2(a) or Question 2(b).
EITHER
Question 01 (a)
Look at Source 1(a).
Using the source, evaluate the view that region is now a more significant influence on voting behaviour than social class.
In your response you should:
compare and contrast the different arguments presented in the source
consider both the stated view and the alternative view
analyse and evaluate the information contained in the source.
[30 marks]
OR
Question 01 (b)
Look at Source 1(b).
Using the source, evaluate the view that the UK has developed into a multi-party system.
In your response you should:
compare and contrast the different arguments presented in the source
consider both the stated view and the alternative view
analyse and evaluate the information contained in the source.
[30 marks]
AND EITHER
Question 02 (a)
Evaluate the view that representative democracy is more effective than direct democracy in the UK.
You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.
[30 marks]
OR
Question 02 (b)
Evaluate the view that First-past-the-post is preferable to the Additional Member System for electing representatives in the UK.
You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.
[30 marks]
SECTION B
Core Political Ideas
Answer ONE question from either Question 3(a) or Question 3(b).
EITHER
Question 03(a) Conservatism
To what extent do one-nation conservatives and New Right conservatives disagree over paternalism?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider both agreement and disagreement in a balanced way.
[24 marks]
OR
Question 03(b) Socialism
To what extent do revolutionary socialists and social democrats disagree over the role of the state?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider both agreement and disagreement in a balanced way.
[24 marks]
TOTAL FOR PAPER = 84 MARKS
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