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UK Government Examples

Select Committees and Devolution

The Government Rejects Recommendations From The Transport Select Committee - Example of Select Committees and Devolution:

• In October 2025, the Transport Select Committee put forward a number of recommendations in its report ‘Busses Connecting Committees’, calling for government action to reverse the decline in bus services.

  • The cross-party Committee of backbench MPs heard extensive evidence on the social and economic impact of poor connectivity. 

    • Experts from the County Councils Network highlighted that the bus sector's contribution to the economy fell by £8.9 billion between 2011-2023, arguing that free bus passes for young people would improve access to jobs and education. 

• However, the Government rejected the majority of the Committee's recommendations, including free travel for under 22’s, and the introduction of minimum service levels for bus routes. 

  • Their response argued no money was available for such a scheme during the current spending review period. 

• This demonstrates the major limitations of Select Committees, their recommendations are not legally binding and the government typically accepts only around 40% of changes. 

  • This also shows a weakness of asymmetrical devolution within the UK. Eligibility for free bus passes varies greatly depending on your location. Since January 2022, everyone between the ages of 5-22 in Scotland have been entitled to free bus travel, whereas in England the scheme is reserved for those aged over 66. 

  • The uneven nature of devolution means there is significant variation in policy across the UK and access to services, strengthening calls for the creation of an English Parliament to ensure consistent representation and policy outcomes for English citizens.

Backbenchers and Private Members' Bills

Nigel Farage’s Ten Minute Rule Bill - Example Of Backbench Influence:

• On the 29th of October 2025, Nigel Farage introduced the European Convention on Human Rights (Withdrawal) Bill to Parliament, through the Ten Minute Rule Bill process. The Bill proposed that the UK withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, the Council of Europe, and repeal the Human Rights Act. 

  • Ten minute rule bills are a form of Private Members Bill that allow backbench MPs to present a legislative proposal for a bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes.

    •  However, these bills are unlikely to progress as their votes are non-binding and they don't have priority in the Parliamentary calendar. This shows the limits of backbenchers' legislative powers. 

• In his speech, Farage argued that leaving the ECHR would strengthen border security, enable the Government to deport more illegal migrants, and restore Parliamentary sovereignty.

  • The bill was supported by Conservative and Reform MPs, including most of the shadow cabinet such as Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick. Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch said the move was necessary to regain control of Britain’s borders. 

    • However, the motion was defeated by 154-96, with a coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent MPs opposing the legislation.

• Although unsuccessful, the bill highlights a key method through which Backbench MPs can raise the profile of a specific policy aim, shape policy debate, and push it up the political agenda. 

  • This shows the influence of backbenchers, even if they lack formal powers to pass laws. 

UK Politics Examples

Party Policy and Divisions

Conservative And Labour Policy On Public Security - Example Of Party Policy Divisions:

• Following a November 2025 attack in which 10 people were injured in a mass stabbing on a train near Huntingdon, clear ideological differences between the Conservative and Labour parties have emerged on law and order policy. 

• Chris Philp, the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, has called for live facial recognition in town centres, surge hotspot policing in high crime areas, and a significant expansion of stop and search powers without suspicion to tackle knife crime. 

  • This response reflects the Conservative Party’s traditional emphasis on authoritarian law and order policy, grounded in a pessimistic view on human nature. 

    • Their approach prioritises deterrence, enforcement, and  surveillance as the most effective means of maintaining public safety. 

• In contrast, Labour’s Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, rejected proposals for airport-style scanning at train stations, arguing that such measures were disproportionate and ineffective. 

  • The Labour government has instead promoted more balanced and right-based security policies, reflecting their ideological commitment to prevention and the protection of civil liberties when addressing public safety. 

• Overall, this highlights a fundamental divide between the 2 major parties on law and order; the Conservatives prioritise stronger, deterrence-led policies, whereas Labour focus more on prevention, and individual rights balanced with enforcement.