Schools politics class: How Starmer averted ‘civil war’ with Labour MPs after diluting welfare cuts

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Specification:

• AQA Component 1, Section 3.1.1.2: The structure and role of Parliament: the extent of Parliament’s influence on government decisions

• Edexcel Component 2, Section 4.2: The relationship between the Executive and Parliament

Background: what you need to know

Here is a good example of how even a government with a large parliamentary majority can run into trouble. Ahead of the House of Commons vote on welfare reform on Tuesday 1 July, a major Labour backbench rebellion developed. More than 120 Labour MPs signalled their opposition to planned cuts to the disability benefit known as Personal Independence Payment.

After its heavy-handed whipping operation failed to bring the rebels into line, the government finally made concessions in the hope of avoiding a defeat. Keir Starmer’s authority as prime minister has been severely weakened.

Be sure to follow this story as it develops: are the concessions enough to persuade the rebels to pass the legislation?

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

How Starmer averted ‘civil war’ with Labour MPs after diluting welfare cuts

See this article for background: In charts: why Labour MPs are rebelling over Starmer’s welfare reforms

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

• ‘The UK executive is ineffective in controlling Parliament.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement. [25 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 2

• Evaluate the argument that the UK executive is ineffective in controlling Parliament.

  In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the study of 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]

  TIP: A relevant topic that could be linked to this question is political parties. The article highlights divisions within the Labour party over welfare reform. Can you think of other potentially divisive issues that may make it harder for Starmer to manage Parliament?

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School