Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 2 | 2026 Predicted Paper
Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0/02
Paper 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas
Time: 2 hours
Total marks: 84
Instructions
There are two sections. Answer three questions in total.
In Section A, answer either 1(a) or 1(b) and then either 2(a) or 2(b).
In Section B, answer either (a) or (b) from the one non-core political idea you have studied.
SOURCE BOOKLET
SECTION A: UK Government
The following sources are original material written specifically for this paper. They are not extracts from the 2026 paper or from published Pearson material.
Source 1(a)
Source 1(a) considers the balance of power between Parliament and the executive.
There are strong reasons to argue that Parliament remains capable of exercising meaningful control over the executive. Ministers are expected to account for their actions before Parliament, while the opposition can challenge government policy and question ministers. Ministerial question time, including Prime Minister's Questions, provides regular opportunities for decisions to be challenged publicly.
Backbenchers can also place pressure on the government. A government must retain sufficient support in the House of Commons if it is to implement its political programme successfully. When backbench support is uncertain, ministers may need to alter policies or make concessions. Parliamentary privilege also allows MPs to debate matters without fear that ordinary legal restrictions will prevent them from raising controversial issues.
Select committees provide another important form of scrutiny. They can investigate government departments and examine the development and implementation of policy. Their work can increase public awareness of weaknesses in government decision-making and require ministers to explain their actions.
However, there are powerful reasons to believe that the executive continues to enjoy considerable advantages over Parliament. The executive proposes legislation, prepares the government's budget and makes major policy decisions. It also possesses Royal Prerogative powers and can make use of secondary legislation. These powers give ministers significant control over the direction of government.
The effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny may also depend on political circumstances. Where the government has reliable support in the Commons, attempts by Parliament to alter government policy may have limited practical effect. Questions, debates and committee reports can expose weaknesses without necessarily forcing ministers to change course.
As a result, Parliament may be able to scrutinise and challenge the executive without consistently being able to control it.
Source 1(b)
Source 1(b) considers the effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny.
Select committees have become an important way in which the House of Commons scrutinises the executive. They examine the work of government departments and can investigate important areas of policy in considerable detail. Their inquiries allow MPs to examine evidence, question ministers and other witnesses, and publish conclusions about government performance.
One advantage of select committees is that their work can be less dominated by direct confrontation between government and opposition than some other forms of parliamentary scrutiny. Members can develop specialist knowledge and concentrate on particular policy areas. This may allow committees to identify weaknesses that are difficult to explore fully during debates or ministerial questions.
However, the influence of select committees has clear limits. Their conclusions do not normally compel ministers to alter policy. A critical report may attract attention while the government nevertheless continues with its existing approach. Detailed scrutiny therefore does not necessarily produce direct political control.
Other parliamentary mechanisms may sometimes have greater immediate impact. The opposition can challenge the government publicly and seek to persuade MPs and voters that policies should change. Ministerial question time allows ministers to be questioned directly in Parliament. Backbenchers may also exert significant pressure if the government needs their votes to secure its legislation.
The effectiveness of the different methods therefore varies according to circumstances. Select committees may provide particularly detailed scrutiny, while opposition activity, ministerial questions and backbench pressure may create more immediate political difficulties for ministers.
It is therefore possible to argue that committees improve Parliament's scrutiny of government without necessarily being its most powerful means of holding the executive to account.
SECTION A
UK Government
Answer ONE question from Question 1(a) OR Question 1(b) and then answer ONE question from Question 2(a) OR Question 2(b).
Question 01
EITHER
Look at Source 1(a) in the Source Booklet.
Question 01(a)
Using the source, evaluate the view that Parliament remains an effective check on the power of the executive.
In your response you should:
compare contrasting opinions contained in the source
examine the arguments in a balanced way
base your analysis and evaluation on the political information presented in the source.
(30 Marks)
OR
Look at Source 1(b) in the Source Booklet.
Question 01(b)
Using the source, evaluate the view that select committees are more effective than other parliamentary methods of scrutinising the executive.
In your response you should:
compare contrasting opinions contained in the source
examine the arguments in a balanced way
base your analysis and evaluation on the political information presented in the source.
(30 Marks)
Question 02
EITHER
Question 02(a)
Evaluate the view that judicial review has strengthened the influence of the Supreme Court over Parliament and the executive.
In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding from Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas.
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 devolution has weakened the unity of the United Kingdom.
In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding from Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas.
You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.
(30 Marks)
TOTAL FOR SECTION A = 60 MARKS
SECTION B
Non-core Political Ideas
Answer ONE question, either (a) or (b), from the political idea that you have studied.
Anarchism
EITHER
Question 03(a)
To what extent do collectivist and individualist anarchists agree that human nature makes political authority unnecessary?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
OR
Question 03(b)
To what extent are anarchists united in the view that economic freedom requires the rejection of existing economic arrangements?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 marks)
Total for Question 3 = 24 marks
Ecologism
EITHER
Question 04(a)
To what extent do ecologists agree that society must be radically changed in order to achieve sustainability?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
OR
Question 04(b)
To what extent is there more agreement than disagreement within ecologism about environmental consciousness?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
Total for Question 4 = 24 marks
Feminism
EITHER
Question 05(a)
To what extent do feminists agree that differences in the behaviour of men and women are principally shaped by society rather than sex?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
OR
Question 05(b)
To what extent do feminists agree that patriarchy is the most important feature of society that must be challenged?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
Total for Question 5 = 24 marks
Multiculturalism
EITHER
Question 06(a)
To what extent is multiculturalism united in its belief that cultural diversity should be actively protected by the state?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
OR
Question 06(b)
To what extent do multiculturalists disagree about how minority groups should be integrated into wider society?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
Total for Question 6 = 24 marks
Nationalism
EITHER
Question 07(a)
To what extent do the different forms of nationalism agree that society should be transformed rather than preserved?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 Marks)
OR
Question 07(b)
To what extent is nationalism compatible with international co-operation?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider differing views in a balanced way.
(24 marks)
Total for Question 7 = 24 marks
TOTAL FOR SECTION B = 24 MARKS
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