AQA A-Level Politics 2027 Predicted Practice Paper — Paper 1

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided. You must write down all the stages in your working.

Section A

Medium-length explain questions on UK government. Answer all questions from Sections A and B.

• 1

  Question SECTION-A1 (9 marks)

  Explain and analyse three ways in which the UK Prime Minister is able to dominate the core executive.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A1 is 9 marks)
• 2

  Question SECTION-A2 (9 marks)

  Explain and analyse three ways in which backbench MPs can exert influence over the UK government.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A2 is 9 marks)
• 3

  Question SECTION-A3 (9 marks)

  Explain and analyse three ways in which the UK Supreme Court can check the power of the executive and Parliament.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A3 is 9 marks)

Section B

Extract or source-linked essay question. Answer all questions from Sections A and B.

• 1

  Question SECTION-B1 (25 marks)

  Read the source below and answer the question that follows. SOURCE (original StudyVector extract, invented for this practice paper): 'Those who argue for a codified constitution insist that the UK's uncodified arrangements are dangerously flexible. Because most rules can be changed by a simple Act of Parliament, a government with a Commons majority can, in principle, reshape the rules of the political game to suit itself. Entrenching rights and the powers of institutions in a single, higher-law document, they say, would protect citizens and provide clarity that scattered statutes, conventions and works of authority cannot. Opponents reply that flexibility is a strength, not a flaw. An uncodified constitution evolves gradually and pragmatically, adapting to new circumstances without the paralysis of amendment procedures. They warn that codification would transfer power from elected politicians to unelected judges, who would be asked to interpret vague, entrenched clauses. Parliamentary sovereignty, they argue, already provides democratic accountability that a rigid document might weaken.' Using the source, evaluate the view that the UK should adopt a codified constitution. In your response you must analyse and compare the different opinions in the source.

  (Total for Question SECTION-B1 is 25 marks)

Section C

Essay question - answer one from a choice. Answer all questions from Sections A and B.

• 1

  Question SECTION-C1 (25 marks)

  'Parliament remains an effective check on the power of the executive in the UK.' Analyse and evaluate this statement.

  (Total for Question SECTION-C1 is 25 marks)