The Public Accounts Committe (PAC) What is it Why is it powerful (5) Example investigation

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There are four content areas in UK Politics:
1. Democracy and participation
2. Political parties
3. Electoral systems
4. Voting behaviour and the media.

1. The Public Accounts Committe (PAC) What is it Why is it powerful (5) Example investigation

The cabinet consists of around 20-25 government ministers - The PM controls much of the work and nature of the cabinet, it is one of their key roles - The PM also personally appoints or dismisses them - Most members are senior ministers controlling government departments - All members are either MPs or peers, chief whip also
Oldest committee and arguably the most influential - The committee scrutinises the economy, the public spending of government and taxation - They can call witnesses to give them necessary information It is powerful for a number of reasons: - Its chair is always a member of the main opposition party - The chair has great prestige - The chair and members are elected by MPs and so are not controlled by party leaders - Its members tend to act independently, ignoring their party allegiance, meaning the government has little control over members - Its reports are unanimous in their conclusions, so the committee stands above party politics - In 2010 they investigated into the BBC's use of funds and were highly critical of the poor value for money and accountability by the BBC -> they recommended government find ways of making the BBC more accountable for how it spends license payers money
1. Valence - The image of the parties and their leaders and general beliefs about the competence of the parties -> very strong impact 2. Economic voting - Choice on the basis of the performance of the economy and how voters believe parties will manage the economy -> strong impact 3. Rational choice - Rational voters deciding which party will most benefit the community as a whole or themselves -> moderate 4. Issue voting - Voters deciding which issues are most important and which parties have the best policies relating to those issues -> moderate 5. Tactical voting - Voters opting for their second choice party if they think their first choice is a wasted vote -> uncertain, probably moderate 6. Party leaders - People deciding who would make the best PM -> some significance but weak 7. The press - People being influenced by newspapers campaigns and preferences -> appears weak 8. Opinion polls - Voters may decide to change their mind because they do not want the outcome predicted in the polls -> proabably weak
Members of class AB are much more likely to vote relative to DE - 2017 AB -> 69% turnout - 2017 DE -> 53% turnout - So combining voting preferences with turnout figures, we can see that the Labour Party are at an undeniable disadvantage as the people most likely to support them are the least likely to turnout and vote - The reason for this is likely voter disillusionment within the class of DE - The classes inbetween tend to be inbetween in terms of turnout too

The Public Accounts Committe (PAC) What is it Why is it powerful (5) Example investigation

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The Public Accounts Committe (PAC) What is it Why is it powerful (5) Example investigation

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com