In FPTP, the winner must.....

....win more votes than anyone else.

One reason why select committees are effective is that....

The chair (leader) is elected by MPs - and is independent of the government

If you are a backbencher, you are.....

Just an MP - you represent your constituency and are NOT in the government

The job of a select committee is best summarised as.....

Scrutiny, keeping the Commons informed, making the government accountable

Where can the rules of Cabinet ministers be found?

In the Ministerial Code of Conduct

A prime minister with a large majority can achieve more because....

They don't have to worry as much about opposition to their policies

When the DUP made a Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Conservatives in 2017, this showed that....

Minor parties can sometimes have an impact on British politics

Devolution is different from US federalism because....

It delegates powers to regions (powers which can technically be taken back)

Why has Scotland received the most devolution?

To reduce the popularity of Scottish nationalism

Why can't a UK prime minister be a president?

Unlike US presidents, UK prime ministers do NOT have a PERSONAL mandate

When he is presented with a bill (Royal Assent), what options does the king have?

Practically none - he has to sign it

Which of these statements is true about the AV referendum?

Despite a clear result in favour of keeping FPTP, turnout was very low

Which of these is an argument FOR English devolution?

England has less devolution than other parts of the UK

Which of these is considered a WEAKNESS of FPTP?

It does not accurately reflect how the electorate voted

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UK Government and Politics

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Questions 91

Answers

1
Which of these places is associated with direct democracy?
Athens
Switzerland
Both of them
Neither of them
2
Prisoners can vote in the UK
False
True
3
If a party governs WITHOUT a majority or coalition partner, this is called a minority government. It happened in.....
2017
2010
2024
2015
4
Which of these cabinet members resigned because of CMR (he refused to support the Iraq War)?
Gordon Brown
Rishi Sunak
Robin Cook
Geoff Hoon
5
In FPTP, the winner must.....
....have more than 50% of the vote.
....have more than 80% 0f the vote.
....win more votes than anyone else.
.....have published a manifesto in paper AND online.
6
In FPTP, when a winning party gains an exaggerated number of seats in the House of Commons, this is called....
a winner's bonus
An ultra victory
Turnout maximalisation
Turbo Politics
7
Which referendum saw the highest turnout?
The EEC Referendum
Scottish Independence
Brexit
AV
8
Which of these is a sectional, insider pressure group?
Fathers For Justice
BMA
BLM
RSPB
9
One reason why select committees are effective is that....
The chair (leader) is elected by MPs - and is independent of the government
They have their own whips
Ministers may sometimes deny them access to documents
Their recommendations MUST be obeyed
10
Which of these is a causal, insider pressure group?
BLM
BMA
Fathers For Justice
RSPB
11
Which of these is a source (NOT a feature) of the UK constitution?
Rule of law
Uncodified
Statute Law
Unitary
12
When Theresa May appointed Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary, he became....
A wild child
The Cabinet Secretary
A Big Beast
Her official heir
13
Unusually, the 2010 election led to a..........
Coalition government
Minority government
Divided government
Single-party government
14
Prime ministers are often weaker and less popular at the end of their term in office. Why?
Because the public have become tired of them
Because of all these reasons
Because the opposition parties look fresh and more appealing to the public
Because they have probably made some mistakes or done something unpopular
15
Which prime minister won a landslide victory partly because he was a young and fresh alternative?
Clement Attlee
Keir Starmer
Rishi Sunak
Tony Blair
16
Key term: the process of amending primary legislation WITHOUT needing to pass a new bill
Bipartisan legislation
Deep legislation
Tertiary legislation
Secondary legislation
17
If you are a backbencher, you are.....
Definitely not in the largest party
The speaker
Just an MP - you represent your constituency and are NOT in the government
Definitely in a minor party
18
FPTP (First Past the Post) is a _________________ voting system
Hyperliberal
Proportional
Majoritarian
Plurality
19
The job of a select committee is best summarised as.....
Scrutiny, keeping the Commons informed, enforcing discipline
Scrutiny, keeping the Commons informed, making the government accountable
Scrutiny, intimidation, making the government accountable
Scrutiny, keeping the Commons informed, using a casting vote
20
Which of these parties is on the Centre Right?
Liberal Democrats
The Green Party
Labour
Conservatives
21
Where can the rules of Cabinet ministers be found?
In the House of Lords
In the Human Rights Act
In Magna Carta
In the Ministerial Code of Conduct
22
A prime minister with a large majority can achieve more because....
They can bypass (avoid) parliamentary debate
They don't have to worry as much about opposition to their policies
Their cabinet must obey them at all times
The opposition parties have to obey them
23
When the DUP made a Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Conservatives in 2017, this showed that....
The Conservatives were becoming more popular
The DUP were becoming more popular
Minor parties can sometimes have an impact on British politics
FPTP always produces strong government
24
Which of these is an example of how rights can be vulnerable in British politics?
The Belmarsh Case 2004
Select Committees
The Human Rights Act 1998
The Equality Act 2010
25
The Prime Minister and his cabinet are also MPs
True
False
26
Because of fusion of powers, the government can influence legislation in the Commons
True
False
27
Scottish nationalists claim that the 2014 referendum did not resolve the issue of Scottish independence. Why is this?
Because of the Iraq War
Because of Brexit
Because of devo max
Because of covid
28
Which of these is an example of UK constitutional flexibility?
A confidence motion
Devolution
General elections
The Salisbury Convention
29
The House of Commons and the House of Lords are equal
False
True
30
Sixteen year-olds CANNOT vote in UK general elections.....but they CAN in Scottish and Welsh elections
True
False
31
Devolution is different from US federalism because....
It is a permanent constitutional change
It delegates powers to regions (powers which can technically be taken back)
It decentralises power
Unlike with federalism, devolution happened because of a judicial ruling
32
Why has Scotland received the most devolution?
To reduce the popularity of Scottish nationalism
Because Scotland was particularly badly governed
Because Scottish tourism is vital to the UK economy
Because Tony Blair was born in Scotland
33
Why can't a UK prime minister be a president?
Because the prime minister does not lead the executive
Unlike US presidents, UK prime ministers do NOT have a PERSONAL mandate
Because they have no formal powers
Because the prime minister is not head of government
34
Who sits to the left of the speaker?
All backbenchers
Life peers
The opposition
The prime minister
35
A constituency in which the same party usually wins is called a.....
Party seat
Safe seat
Marginal seat
Defensive seat
36
Which of these was a causal, outsider pressure group?
BMA
RSPB
Fathers For Justice
BLM
37
Which prime minister is associated with the terms "spatial leadership" and "sofa government"?
Tony Blair
Boris Johnson
David Cameron
Margaret Thatcher
38
Which of these is a nationalist party?
Sinn Fein
Plaid Cymru
All of them
SNP
39
When he is presented with a bill (Royal Assent), what options does the king have?
Practically none - he has to sign it
All of these
Veto
Pocket veto
40
Why is representative democracy (rather than direct democracy) more common in countries like the UK?
Because it is more practical
Because the people are made accountable
All of these reasons
Because it is "purer"
41
Which of these statements is true about the AV referendum?
The Liberal Democrats opposed voting reform
PM Tony Blair called this referendum
Despite a clear result in favour of keeping FPTP, turnout was very low
It happened in 2010
42
Which of these is a feature (NOT a source) of the UK constitution?
Authoritative works
Uncodified
Statute Law
Treaties
43
Defence, foreign relations, and immigration are all.....
Implied powers
Devolved powers
Emergency powers
Reserved powers
44
What is the largest category of peer?
Life
Spiritual
Hereditary
Crossbencher
45
If you are on the government front benches, you are a member of......
The public
The opposition
A pressure group
The government
46
Which prime minister had limited power and influence because they had no majority after the 2017 election?
Liz Truss
Theresa May
Boris Johnson
Rishi Sunak
47
Which of these is an argument FOR English devolution?
The capital city is in England
Polls suggest that most English people want it
England is the poorest part of the UK
England has less devolution than other parts of the UK
48
What is the smallest category of peer?
Hereditary
Life
Crossbencher
Spiritual
49
Which of these is an argument AGAINST English devolution?
There is little demand for it
There is a strong sense of regional identity in some areas of England
England has less devolution than the other nations
England has the biggest population
50
Which of these is considered a WEAKNESS of FPTP?
It does not accurately reflect how the electorate voted
It usually produces strong government
It is familiar and simple to understand
It makes it is impossible for one party to win too often
51
Which of these Cabinet members resigned because of IMR (a personal scandal)?
Geoffrey Howe
Nick Clegg
Jeremy Hunt
Matt Hancock
52
What is a common argument AGAINST reforming the House of Lords?
All of these reasons
There is a potential for gridlock
It would be too complicated
The public clearly love the House of Lords
53
Which of these pressure groups failed because it alienated the public with its extreme tactics?
Stop the War Coalition
The Coalition for Marriage
PETA
Gurkha Justice Campaign
54
Which of these is NOT a feature of the Westminster Model?
Parliamentary sovereignty
Legislative gridlock
Single-party government is common
Fusion of powers
55
Lower turnouts and declining party/trade union membership are sometimes used as evidence for.....
Tyranny of the majority
Participation Crisis
Slacktivism
Elected dictatorship
56
The "ten minute rule" applies to......
Public Bills
Government bills
Private Members Bills
Private Bills
57
Some prime ministers prefer to consult personal advisers. Which PM's advisers were known as the "kitchen cabinet"?
Harold Wilson
Jim Callaghan
Harold MacMillan
John Major
58
All political parties enjoy equal representation on a select committee
False
True
59
Why have there been more calls to reform the House of Lords?
The membership is not very diverse
All of these reasons
It is undemocratic
The executive is too strong in British politics
60
A ______________ is a document in which the government explains the details of a future bill.
A yellow paper
A red paper
A white paper
An pink paper
61
Which of these pressure groups failed because it challenged a strong government with a large majority?
Gurkha Justice Campaign
Stop the War Coalition
PETA
The Coalition for Marriage
62
The Home Affairs Committee inquiry (2017-2018) made important criticisms of the government about....
Immigration
The Windrush Scandal
The economy
Brexit
63
Which voting system is used in Scottish and Welsh elections?
STV
AMS
SV
FPTP
64
In 2009, Cheryl Gillian MP successfully proposed a Private Members Bill to help.....
The NHS
People with autism
Refugees
The homeless
65
The House of Lords will NOT try to veto a bill if it is part of the governing party's manifesto. This is called...
The Asquith Ruling
The Salisbury Convention
Parliamentary privilege
The Commons Prerogative
66
Which of these is NOT considered part of the government?
The Prime Minister
The Cabinet Office
The House of Commons
The Cabinet
67
Referendums sometimes happen because of.....
The need to resolve internal party disputes
All these reasons
Coalition agreements
Public pressure
68
In 2015, for the first time in 100 years, the Lords voted against......
The Brexit referendum bill
A salary increase for MPs
A financial bill
A war
69
Which voting system is used in Northern Irish elections?
SV
AMS
STV
FPTP
70
Which of these pressure groups succeeded because it was endorsed by a celebrity?
RSPCC
Stop the War Coalition
The AA
Gurkha Justice Campaign
71
A constituency in which election results are more unpredictable is called a.....
Party seat
Safe seat
Defensive seat
Marginal seat
72
Which of these is a minor party?
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Conservative
The Green Party
73
The representative function of MPs was defined by....
Benjamin Disraeli
Lord Salisbury
Edmund Burke
A.V Dicey
74
Which of these most accurately describes the features of liberal democracy?
Free press, open ballots, freedom of speech, rival parties, elections
Nationalised press, freedom of speech, rival parties, elections
Free press, secret ballots, freedom of speech, rival parties, elections
Free press, secret ballots, freedom of speech, unaccountable politicians
75
Which select committee provides a voice for ordinary MPs?
The MP Committee
The Members' Action Committee
The Backbench Business Committee
The Committee of Backbench Business
76
The right-wing of the Liberal Democrats are sometimes called.....
Orange Book Liberals
Neoliberal democrats
One Nation Liberals
National Liberals
77
Which of these Cabinet members resigned because of IMR (he felt the Foreign Office wasn't ready for the Falklands War)?
Lord Carrington
Jack Straw
Boris Johnson
David Miliband
78
The SNP and which other party support Scottish independence?
Reform Scotland
National Party of Scotland
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Labour
79
Which of these is an example of direct democracy?
Petitions
General elections
Trade Unionism
MPs proposing laws
80
Which of these is considered a STRENGTH of FPTP?
It usually produces strong government
It allows even unregistered voters to participate
It accurately reflects how the electorate voted
It makes it is impossible for one party to win too often
81
Pressure group methods include.....
Strikes, demonstrations. lobbying, protests, bombings, reports
Strikes, demonstrations. lobbying, publicity stunts, assassination
Strikes, kidnapping. lobbying, protests, publicity stunts, reports
Strikes, demonstrations. lobbying, protests, publicity stunts, reports
82
It has been argued that direct democracy increases participation
True
False
83
Because of parliamentary sovereignty, referendums are NOT legally binding. So why do governments respect the results?
Because referendums are sovereign
Because the law states that this would trigger a general election
They don't want to make people angry and undermine government legitimacy
Because the rule of law is not a feature of UK politics
84
Key term: the most important members of the government, including the cabinet and senior advisors.
The core executive
The Gang
The executive action force
The Quad
85
If a government has a mandate, this means that.....
They have published their plans in a public document
They have legitimacy because they have clearly won an election
They have experience of government
They are competing against a weak opposition
86
One reason why select committees are INEFFECTIVE is that....
A government with a Commons majority also has a majority on committees
They cannot meet government members
They are not professional politicans
They can request documents
87
Some Cabinet members get the job because they have relevant experience. An example of this would be....
Celia Parker (ex-convict becoming Prisons Minister)
William Coote (ex-farmer becoming Minister for Agriculture)
Ben Wallace (ex-soldier becoming Defence Secretary)
John Rawlinson (ex-doctor becoming Health Secretary)
88
Prime Ministers often need to consult the Cabinet. Which PM consulted his cabinet about the Omicron variant of covid?
Boris Johnson
Gordon Brown
Tony Blair
Rishi Sunak
89
Which of these is a royal prerogative power?
Choosing whips
Addressing the House of Commons
Patronage
Financial policy
90
The House of Lords is more powerful than the House of Commons
False
True
91
Which pressure group successfully lobbied to end the ban on prisoners receiving books from friends or family members?
The Howard League for Penal Reform
The Prisoner Rights Association
The RSPB
The National Literacy Movement

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