British Politics Overview Quiz

True (A)

Policy dissatisfaction or Brexit disappointment or rise of regional nationalist parties or changing voter behavior.

<p>right</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Conservative Party = Founded in 1834, right-of-centre Labour Party = Traditionally left-wing, focuses on social equality Liberal-Democratic Party = Centrist party advocating for civil liberties Scottish National Party = Regional party advocating for Scottish independence</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Conservative Party (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>national</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Keir Starmer</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>650</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>UK Independence Party (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reform of the House of Lords and lowering the voting age to 16</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>disqualified</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Liberal Democrats (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>18</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Liberal Democrats = Support for minority rights and local communities UKIP = Right-wing populist and Eurosceptic Labour Party = Left-of-centre with socialist roots Green Party = Advocates for greener policies and electoral reform</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>economically prosperous</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Green Party (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To scrutinise government policies and propose alternatives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The word 'Parliament' originates from the French word 'parler', meaning 'to speak'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Charles Barry</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mace = Symbol of royal authority Hansard = Official record of debates Despatch Box = Place for speeches during debates Division = Voting process in Parliament</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prayers led by the Speaker's Chaplain (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The mace symbolizes royal authority and sovereignty of Parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1512</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>16th October 1834 = Destruction of the original Houses of Parliament Model Parliament = Formal gathering of nobility and common people Queen's Speech = Formal opening of a new session of Parliament Division announced = Time for MPs to vote</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ask questions to hold Government ministers accountable (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They are used for voting on motions in Parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>opposition parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sir Robert Walpole (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ultimate decision-making body of the executive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>10 Downing Street</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prime Minister = Leader of the majority party in the House of Commons Secretaries of State = Heads of government departments Civil Service = Practical and administrative work of government Cabinet Office = Supports the Prime Minister and Cabinet</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Choosing and dismissing government ministers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Government ministers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>20</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Directly managing foreign relations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cabinet Office Secretary</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>collective responsibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Being a rubber stamp for decisions made by the Prime Minister (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To formally introduce the bill and read its title (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Members of the House of Lords who are not aligned with any political party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>800</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>First Reading = No debate occurs; introduction of the bill Second Reading = Debate of the general principles Committee Stage = Detailed examination and proposed amendments Third Reading = Final debate with no further amendments</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Life Peers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Legislation, Scrutiny, Investigation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Spiritual</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The State Opening of Parliament (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A valid driving license (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>First-past-the-post</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>largest minority</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Returning Officer = Responsible for overseeing elections Shadow Minister = Mirrors government minister's role Safe Constituency = Party consistently wins with a large margin Marginal Constituency = Unpredictable voting behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>40% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hung parliament</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>bankrupt</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Simple majority (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Favors larger parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>House of Lords</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Party traditionally wins by a large margin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The dominant political parties in a country that alternate in power, with one forming the government and the other becoming the opposition.

The official opposition party in a two-party system, responsible for scrutinizing the government's actions.

A formal group within the opposition party that mirrors the government's cabinet, offering alternative policies and critiques.

A government formed by two or more political parties, often due to no single party gaining a majority in parliament.

A political party that leans towards conservative values, typically promoting limited government intervention, free markets, and traditional social values.

A political party that typically holds more progressive views, often advocating for social justice, economic equality, and expanded social programs.

The process of transferring power from a central government to regional or local governments.

A political party that emphasizes regional identity and seeks autonomy or independence for a specific region within a country.

A political party in the UK that advocates for a strong social safety net, fair economic opportunities, and minority rights.

The political party that is currently the dominant force in Scotland, advocating for Scottish national interests and, for its most radical members, independence.

The political party that represents Welsh interests in the UK Parliament, emphasizing Welsh cultural distinctiveness and, for some members, advocating for independence.

The political party in the UK that emerged from the Brexit Party and advocates for tax cuts, strong immigration control, and increased spending on the NHS.

The political party in the UK that advocates for greener policies across various sectors like economy, transport, and housing.

A political party in the UK that advocates for a unitary British identity, opposing nationalism in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, supports anti-immigration measures, and holds a traditionalist stance on social issues.

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to ensure that each district has a roughly equal number of voters.

The minimum age required to vote in the UK.

The right to vote in elections.

The term for individuals who have the right to vote in an election.

A geographical area in the UK represented by a single Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.

The elected representative of a constituency in the UK Parliament.

The act of dissolving Parliament and calling for a new election.

The process of counting votes and determining the winner of an election.

A person's name will appear on a ballot paper, meaning they are officially a candidate in the election.

A sum of money paid by a candidate who wants to stand for a parliamentary election. It is returned if they reach a certain percentage of votes.

People who are not allowed to participate as candidates in parliamentary elections.

People who are prohibited from becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK due to their role or circumstances.

The system used in the UK where the candidate who gets the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of if they have a majority.

When a party wins more seats in the House of Commons than all other parties combined.

A situation where no single party wins an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons.

Constituencies where voters consistently support a specific party, resulting in large winning margins.

Constituencies where the outcome of elections is uncertain, as the margin of victory is small in previous elections.

The street where most older government departments are located, often used when referring to the government itself.

The leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, appointed by the monarch. They are the principal figure in the House of Commons and responsible for government actions and policy decisions.

The Prime Minister chooses and dismisses government ministers, controls policy-making, and is the head of the Cabinet. They are responsible for Cabinet agendas and controls its proceedings, acting as a 'first-among-equals'.

The British government consists of 24 departments, each headed by a senior minister known as a Secretary of State. Some departments govern policy for the whole UK, while others are limited to specific regions due to devolution.

These are non-ministerial departments, executive agencies, and public bodies headed by senior civil servants. They provide government services and have inspection or regulatory functions. Examples include the Crown Prosecution Service and the Charity Commission.

The monarch appoints all government ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The PM selects ministers from their party members in the House of Commons or House of Lords. Most senior ministers, including the PM, sit in the House of Commons.

The Cabinet is the principal executive group of the British government, made up of about 20 senior ministers. It acts as the ultimate decision-making body for government policy and legislative plans. Meetings are held weekly at 10 Downing Street.

Standing committees handle specific areas of policy-making, while ad hoc committees deal with emergencies or critical situations.

The Cabinet operates under the principle of collective responsibility, meaning all ministers share responsibility for government actions and policy. If a minister disagrees, they must resign.

Each minister is individually responsible for the work of their department. They are accountable to Parliament for any mistakes, policy, or administrative wrongdoings, even if personally not at fault.

The Civil Service, consisting of over 500,000 civil servants, handles the day-to-day administration of government departments, agencies, and public bodies. They are permanent employees, serving different governments impartially.

The Cabinet Office is the heart of the Civil Service, supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It facilitates Cabinet committees, coordinates government policies, and the Cabinet Office Secretary heads the entire Civil Service.

The Permanent Secretary is the senior civil servant in each department, responsible for assisting the department head (government minister) in implementing government policy.

The Prime Minister's official residence at 10 Downing Street was created by combining three houses. The PM's private quarters are on the third floor, while the remaining floors are used for official business.

Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister, served from 1721 to 1742. In 1732, King George II gave him three houses at 10 Downing Street, which Walpole insisted be used for official purposes.

A document outlining the government's legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session, including proposed bills and priorities.

The first stage of a bill's journey through Parliament, where it is formally introduced and its title is read out.

The second stage of a bill's journey, where MPs debate the general principles and purpose of the bill. A vote decides if it moves forward.

The stage where a Public Bill Committee scrutinizes the bill in detail, clause by clause, and can propose amendments.

The stage where the whole House reviews changes made to the bill by the committee and debates further amendments.

The final stage where MPs have a final debate on the bill in its entirety. No further amendments are allowed, and a vote determines if it moves to the other House.

Members of the House of Lords who are not affiliated with any political party.

A ceremonial seat used by the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords, symbolizing the importance of wool in medieval England.

The bishops of the Church of England in the House of Lords. They sit on the only bench with armrests.

The formal ceremony that marks the start of each parliamentary session, where the Queen delivers the Queen's Speech.

The word "Parliament" comes from the French "parler," meaning "to speak" or "to talk." It's a place for discussing and deciding.

Parliament's main jobs are to make and pass laws, represent the public, check on the government, and decide how to spend public money.

The British Parliament started with medieval councils like the Anglo-Saxon Witan, advising the king.

King Edward I brought together the "Model Parliament" in 1295, with nobles and commoners.

The idea of two separate houses started in the 1300s, leading to the House of Commons and the House of Lords by 1341.

The Palace of Westminster became the permanent home of Parliament after 1512, when King Henry VIII moved the royal court.

A big fire in 1834 destroyed much of the Palace, caused by overheated stoves used for medieval accounting.

The current Palace was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, in a complex Gothic style.

The House of Commons has benches facing each other, with the government on the right and the opposition on the left.

MPs must be present at prayers to reserve seats, and they place cards to show they're claiming a spot.

The mace symbolizes royal authority and the power of Parliament.

The despatch box is where ministers and opposition members stand to speak during debates.

The 'Aye' lobby is for MPs who agree with a motion, and the 'No' lobby is for those who disagree.

Hansard is the official record of everything said in Parliament, including all debates.

Question Time is where MPs ask government ministers questions to hold them accountable.

Opposition Days are when opposition parties set the agenda and debate topics of their choice, with about 20 days per parliamentary session.