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All of the below examples will be added to the updated textbooks and detailed essay plans (where relevant/better than the existing examples) on the Politics Explained website, which are both updated regularly.

Find full lists of recent examples (UK Politics, UK Government and US Politics and Government) from the past year in our 📋 2026 example packs!

UK Government Examples

Prime Minister and the Executive

Starmer Authorises Defensive Strikes On Iran - Example of Prerogative Powers:

• On March 1, 2026, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorised defensive military action against Iran using the government’s Royal Prerogative powers. He authorised the use of British military bases (specifically RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus) for US strikes against Iranian missile storage facilities, without a parliamentary vote. 

  • The authority to deploy the armed forces is a prerogative power, exercised by government ministers on behalf of the Crown. 

    • Parliament has no formal role in authorising military action, and the government has no obligation to consult with, or keep Parliament informed. 

  • However, following the Iraq war under Tony Blair, a constitutional convention developed that the House of Commons should be given a vote before major military interventions take place. Although Starmer previously expressed support for giving Parliament a vote on military action, he bypassed it. 

• By acting independently and directly with US President Donald Trump, Starmer exercised personal executive authority over foreign and defence policy that mirrors how a President would operate.

  • This shows how the Prime Minister can act presidentially due to the royal prerogative, as they are the UK’s chief decision‑maker in matters of national security.

Parliament

The Railway’s Bill - Example Of Public Bill Committee Scrutiny:

• The Railways Bill entered the Committee Stage in the House of Commons on 20 January 2026 and underwent 14 sittings of detailed, line-by-line scrutiny. During this stage, the Public Bill Committee plays a central role in examining the technical and practical implications of proposed legislation.

  • The Railways Bill Committee launched a call for evidence to assist the committee members in analysing the Bill. 

    • Experts from the rail trade union ASLEF submitted evidence regarding the balance of authority and accountability within the proposed governance structure for Great British Railways (GBR). This evidence provided MPs with expert insight into how the Bill might operate in practice, and proposed amendments to clarify oversight mechanisms.

• 408 amendments were proposed for the bill. Amendment 17, tabled by Conservative backbencher Wendy Morton following the call to evidence, would require Great British Railways (GBR) to consult MPs whose constituencies are affected by decisions relating to passenger services or railway infrastructure. 

  • This directly responded to concerns raised during the evidence sessions and sought to embed greater parliamentary accountability within the Bill.

• This shows that backbenchers exert significant influence in refining legislation and oversight through Public Bill Committees, which are highly effective in scrutinising legislation. 

Urgent Question On The Cancellation Of Local Elections:

• On the 19th January 2026, Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary James Cleverly tabled an Urgent Question on the cancellation of scheduled local elections in May 2026. 

  • He criticised the government’s decision, highlighting that the Electoral Commission had not been consulted and had indicated elections should proceed. 

    • Labour MP Florence Eshalomi, chairman of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee also described it as “disappointing”. 

  • The government is able to delay local elections due to a clause in the 2000 Local Government Act, which gives ministers the power to arbitrarily cancel them without a full vote in Parliament.

• Following this pressure from Parliament and public scrutiny generated by the UQ, the government U-turned on the decision to delay elections in 30 areas.

  • This shows how even though the government has extensive powers through secondary legislation, Parliament is able to limit these and exert oversight, constraining executive dominance in practice.