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This source is adapted from an article in the Financial Times in November 2019 - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 1
This source is adapted from an article in the Financial Times in November 2019. Source 1 Nigel Farage claimed that Brexit party supporters were offered peerages in... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This source is adapted from an article in the Financial Times in November 2019 - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
compare and contrast different opinions in the source
Answer
The source presents contrasting views on the role and membership of the House of Lords. On one side, Nigel Farage criticizes the House, claiming it lacks democratic legitimacy since many peers are appointed rather than elected, pointing out that the average peer is 70 and predominantly male. He suggests that this leads to an unprofessional chamber resistant to reform.
Conversely, the source highlights the independence of thought exhibited by the Lords, especially among crossbenchers who hold the government accountable. This aspect emphasizes the Lords' role in scrutinizing legislation and offers a counter-narrative to Farage's negative perspective.
Step 2
examine and debate these views in a balanced way
Answer
Examining the views reveals a potential paradox. On one hand, the Lords' traditional structure and demographic may undermine its legitimacy, as Farage argues. The resistance to reform and high average age could suggest that it does not reflect contemporary society. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the Lords in holding the government accountable could indicate that its current form still serves a critical function within the political system.
Debate can be initiated by discussing whether accountability justifies the means of appointment. Does the independence of thought among appointed Lords outweigh the argument for a more representative and democratically legitimate body?
Step 3
analyse and evaluate only the information presented in the source
Answer
The source explicitly states that the independent House of Lords Appointments Commission vets nominations, aiming to include diverse perspectives, noting that over 25% of the Lords are now women and about 20% come from ethnic minorities. This indicates a movement towards greater representation, which counters Farage’s argument regarding legitimacy.
However, the reference to the overall average age and the mixture of 'working' and 'non-working' peers brings back concerns about professionalism and effectiveness. Ultimately, while the source shows some evidence of positive change, it fails to resolve the underlying calls for deeper reform, leaving the question of legitimacy open-ended.