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Ellie Nicol
07/12/2025
Modern Studies
Higher Modern Studies; UK Politics
957
•
7 Dec 2025
•
Comprehensive UK Politics Essay Plans for Higher Modern Studies
Ellie Nicol
@mrmoorespowerstance
1 / 5
Voting Systems: FPTP vs AMS
First Past The Post (FPTP) is the voting system used in UK general elections, and it's brilliantly simple - whoever gets the most votes wins, just like Margaret Curran winning Glasgow East in 2010 with 62.6% of the vote. This creates strong governments that can actually get things done without having to water down their policies through endless compromise.
The system gives you a direct link to your MP - if you've got a problem, you know exactly who to contact from your constituency. However, FPTP isn't proportional, meaning parties like UKIP can win over a million votes but gain zero seats because they didn't come first anywhere.
Additional Member System (AMS) is used in Scottish Parliament elections and tackles FPTP's biggest weakness - proportionality. Your vote actually matters because parties get seats roughly equal to their vote share. You get more representatives too - one constituency MSP plus seven regional ones.
Key Point: FPTP creates strong single-party governments, whilst AMS creates coalitions where parties must work together.
The downside? AMS can be confusing - in 2007, 100,000 ballot papers were wasted because voters didn't understand the two-ballot system. Coalition governments can also mean endless discussions instead of decisive action.
What Influences Your Vote?
Social class used to be the biggest predictor of voting behaviour. Back in 1966, 74% of professionals voted Conservative whilst 66% of working class voters backed Labour. It made perfect sense - wealthy people wanted low taxes, whilst working-class folks needed the welfare state.
But here's the thing - dealignment has completely changed the game. By 2015, the class-vote relationship had weakened dramatically, with only 45% of professionals voting Tory and 41% of working-class voters choosing Labour. This means parties now fight desperately for 'floating voters' who aren't tied to any particular party.
Economic issues massively influence elections through the Radical Choice model. When the economy's booming, people tend to stick with the current government. When it crashes - like in 2008 - voters blame whoever's in charge, which is exactly why Gordon Brown lost the next election.
Key Point: Your social class still influences your vote, but economic conditions and current issues now matter just as much.
The media you consume shapes your political views more than you might realise. In 2005, 41% of Sun readers voted Labour compared to just 23% of Financial Times readers - and both papers supported Labour at the time!
How Your Representatives Work for You
Your MSP represents you in several practical ways that directly impact your life. They hold regular surgeries where you can discuss local problems face-to-face, just like Aileen Campbell does across her Clydesdale constituency every week. You can also contact them through phone calls, emails, and some even have apps now.
First Minister's Question Time (FMQT) is where your representatives hold the government accountable. MSPs can challenge the First Minister on issues affecting your community, giving local politicians national exposure whilst exposing government failures. However, if you have an SNP MSP and the SNP are in power, they're less likely to ask awkward questions that go against party lines.
Parliamentary committees are often called the 'powerhouse' of Holyrood because they scrutinise every piece of legislation. These cross-party groups meet anywhere in Scotland and you can actually attend their meetings or watch online. This means an MSP from a farming community can sit on the Rural Economy Committee, bringing real local expertise to national decisions.
Key Point: Committees allow MSPs from different parties to work together effectively, making them more representative of diverse views.
The beauty of committees is their transparency - they're deliberately designed to be open to public scrutiny, showing that parliament genuinely wants to represent your interests rather than hiding behind closed doors.
Holding Government Accountable
Question times give opposition MSPs powerful tools to challenge the government. Beyond FMQT, there's General Question Time and Topical Question Time where MSPs can grill specific ministers about their departments. This means you get more targeted answers about issues that directly affect your area.
The problem comes when there's a majority government - opposition parties struggle to hold them accountable because the governing party has enough votes to push through whatever they want. This can mean your concerns get ignored if your local MSP won't challenge their own party's policies.
Parliamentary committees remain the most effective accountability tool because they bring together MSPs from all parties. They can meet anywhere in Scotland, often allowing public attendance and live streaming online. This cross-party collaboration means even government MSPs might challenge their own party if the evidence demands it.
Key Point: The AMS voting system was specifically designed to prevent single-party dominance and force parties to work together.
AMS delivers coalition or minority governments by design, meaning the largest party must negotiate with others to pass legislation. This stops extreme policies but can slow down decision-making. Smaller parties like the Greens get representation, adding diverse voices that increase scrutiny of government proposals.
How Outside Groups Influence Politics
Pressure groups come in four main types, each with different levels of influence. Cause groups like Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) fight for specific issues and can grow massive because anyone can join. Sectional groups represent particular professions, whilst insider groups like the British Medical Association get special government access because politicians need their expertise.
The harsh reality? Most pressure groups fail to achieve their aims. Despite widespread Scottish opposition to nuclear weapons, Trident still sits on the Clyde, showing that even popular causes can't always beat government policy. The Electoral Reform Society only managed to replace FPTP in Scotland - hardly a complete victory.
Media influence can be enormous when it forces politicians to address issues they'd rather ignore. The Daily Mail's immigration coverage helped create UKIP's rise, whilst the 2009 expenses scandal exposed by newspapers led to complete system reform. This shows how media scrutiny can create massive political change.
Key Point: The phone hacking scandal severely damaged media credibility and reduced their political influence.
However, the Leveson Inquiry following criminal phone hacking has limited media power through increased regulation. This means newspapers and broadcasters can't influence politics as freely as they once did, though they still shape public opinion on major issues through their coverage choices.
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Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Comprehensive UK Politics Essay Plans for Higher Modern Studies
Ellie Nicol
@mrmoorespowerstance
Understanding how democracy works in the UK is crucial for any informed citizen. From the voting systems that determine our representatives to the factors that influence how people vote, these political mechanisms shape the society you live in every day.
Voting Systems: FPTP vs AMS
First Past The Post (FPTP) is the voting system used in UK general elections, and it's brilliantly simple - whoever gets the most votes wins, just like Margaret Curran winning Glasgow East in 2010 with 62.6% of the vote. This creates strong governments that can actually get things done without having to water down their policies through endless compromise.
The system gives you a direct link to your MP - if you've got a problem, you know exactly who to contact from your constituency. However, FPTP isn't proportional, meaning parties like UKIP can win over a million votes but gain zero seats because they didn't come first anywhere.
Additional Member System (AMS) is used in Scottish Parliament elections and tackles FPTP's biggest weakness - proportionality. Your vote actually matters because parties get seats roughly equal to their vote share. You get more representatives too - one constituency MSP plus seven regional ones.
Key Point: FPTP creates strong single-party governments, whilst AMS creates coalitions where parties must work together.
The downside? AMS can be confusing - in 2007, 100,000 ballot papers were wasted because voters didn't understand the two-ballot system. Coalition governments can also mean endless discussions instead of decisive action.
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What Influences Your Vote?
Social class used to be the biggest predictor of voting behaviour. Back in 1966, 74% of professionals voted Conservative whilst 66% of working class voters backed Labour. It made perfect sense - wealthy people wanted low taxes, whilst working-class folks needed the welfare state.
But here's the thing - dealignment has completely changed the game. By 2015, the class-vote relationship had weakened dramatically, with only 45% of professionals voting Tory and 41% of working-class voters choosing Labour. This means parties now fight desperately for 'floating voters' who aren't tied to any particular party.
Economic issues massively influence elections through the Radical Choice model. When the economy's booming, people tend to stick with the current government. When it crashes - like in 2008 - voters blame whoever's in charge, which is exactly why Gordon Brown lost the next election.
Key Point: Your social class still influences your vote, but economic conditions and current issues now matter just as much.
The media you consume shapes your political views more than you might realise. In 2005, 41% of Sun readers voted Labour compared to just 23% of Financial Times readers - and both papers supported Labour at the time!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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How Your Representatives Work for You
Your MSP represents you in several practical ways that directly impact your life. They hold regular surgeries where you can discuss local problems face-to-face, just like Aileen Campbell does across her Clydesdale constituency every week. You can also contact them through phone calls, emails, and some even have apps now.
First Minister's Question Time (FMQT) is where your representatives hold the government accountable. MSPs can challenge the First Minister on issues affecting your community, giving local politicians national exposure whilst exposing government failures. However, if you have an SNP MSP and the SNP are in power, they're less likely to ask awkward questions that go against party lines.
Parliamentary committees are often called the 'powerhouse' of Holyrood because they scrutinise every piece of legislation. These cross-party groups meet anywhere in Scotland and you can actually attend their meetings or watch online. This means an MSP from a farming community can sit on the Rural Economy Committee, bringing real local expertise to national decisions.
Key Point: Committees allow MSPs from different parties to work together effectively, making them more representative of diverse views.
The beauty of committees is their transparency - they're deliberately designed to be open to public scrutiny, showing that parliament genuinely wants to represent your interests rather than hiding behind closed doors.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Holding Government Accountable
Question times give opposition MSPs powerful tools to challenge the government. Beyond FMQT, there's General Question Time and Topical Question Time where MSPs can grill specific ministers about their departments. This means you get more targeted answers about issues that directly affect your area.
The problem comes when there's a majority government - opposition parties struggle to hold them accountable because the governing party has enough votes to push through whatever they want. This can mean your concerns get ignored if your local MSP won't challenge their own party's policies.
Parliamentary committees remain the most effective accountability tool because they bring together MSPs from all parties. They can meet anywhere in Scotland, often allowing public attendance and live streaming online. This cross-party collaboration means even government MSPs might challenge their own party if the evidence demands it.
Key Point: The AMS voting system was specifically designed to prevent single-party dominance and force parties to work together.
AMS delivers coalition or minority governments by design, meaning the largest party must negotiate with others to pass legislation. This stops extreme policies but can slow down decision-making. Smaller parties like the Greens get representation, adding diverse voices that increase scrutiny of government proposals.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How Outside Groups Influence Politics
Pressure groups come in four main types, each with different levels of influence. Cause groups like Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) fight for specific issues and can grow massive because anyone can join. Sectional groups represent particular professions, whilst insider groups like the British Medical Association get special government access because politicians need their expertise.
The harsh reality? Most pressure groups fail to achieve their aims. Despite widespread Scottish opposition to nuclear weapons, Trident still sits on the Clyde, showing that even popular causes can't always beat government policy. The Electoral Reform Society only managed to replace FPTP in Scotland - hardly a complete victory.
Media influence can be enormous when it forces politicians to address issues they'd rather ignore. The Daily Mail's immigration coverage helped create UKIP's rise, whilst the 2009 expenses scandal exposed by newspapers led to complete system reform. This shows how media scrutiny can create massive political change.
Key Point: The phone hacking scandal severely damaged media credibility and reduced their political influence.
However, the Leveson Inquiry following criminal phone hacking has limited media power through increased regulation. This means newspapers and broadcasters can't influence politics as freely as they once did, though they still shape public opinion on major issues through their coverage choices.
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What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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Most popular content: Argumentation
Most popular content in Modern Studies
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user