UK Elections Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of a General Election in the UK?

To elect the London Mayor

To elect local councilors

To vote on referendums

To elect 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) (correct)

Foreign citizens without UK citizenship are allowed to vote in UK elections.

False

What role does the leader of the political party with the second largest amount of seats take in Parliament?

Leader of the opposition

The political party with the most seats in a General Election is invited to form a ______.

government Signup and view all the answers

Match the following groups with their voting eligibility status in the UK:

Members of the House of Lords = Cannot vote Anyone under the age of 18 = Cannot vote Mental incapacity = Cannot vote Civic duty prisoners = Cannot vote Citizens over 18 = Can vote Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to be elected as an MP?

Holding a previous position in government Signup and view all the answers

Returning Officers must begin counting votes by 2 AM after the polls close at 10 PM.

True Signup and view all the answers

What must a candidate submit to the returning officer on nomination day to stand for election?

Completed nomination forms and a £500 deposit Signup and view all the answers

In important matters deemed too significant for representatives, governments may call for ______.

referendums Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered unconstitutional regarding voting in the UK?

Voting by Members of the House of Lords Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a 'Declaration of local connection'?

To allow individuals to register to vote without a permanent home Signup and view all the answers

Local government elections in England are held every five years.

False Signup and view all the answers

What system is used for electing councillors in England and Wales?

First Past the Post Signup and view all the answers

The standard Personal Allowance in 2019 was £______.

11,850 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following local authority types with their characteristics:

County councils = Responsible for the entire county District councils = Responsible for smaller areas within a county Unitary authorities = Combined responsibilities of both county and district councils Metropolitan districts = Found in metropolitan areas with a population over 250,000 Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the tax-free personal allowance in the UK?

It can vary based on personal circumstances Signup and view all the answers

Citizens must pay tax on rental income from properties they rent out.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which voting system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference?

Single Transferable Vote Signup and view all the answers

The tax year in the UK runs from to .

6 April to 5 April Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of local authority in England?

Regional councils Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

UK Elections

Various elections exist, including general, local council, European, and mayoral elections.
General elections occur at least every five years to elect 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons.
The candidate with the most votes per constituency wins the seat.
The party with the majority of seats forms the government; its leader becomes Prime Minister.
The second-largest party becomes the official opposition, with its leader as Leader of the Opposition.
Individuals who cannot vote include House of Lords members, many prisoners, mentally incapable individuals, those under 18, foreign citizens without UK citizenship, and those with recent (within 5 years) election-related crimes.
Technically, the royals do not vote due to constitutional guidelines requiring neutrality.
Vote counting must begin within 4 hours of the poll closing (typically 10 PM), or a statement explaining the delay is needed.
To run for general election, candidates must submit nomination forms and a £500 deposit by the deadline.

Who Can Be an MP?

Most eligible voters can stand as an MP.

Referendums

Referendums are used for important issues like power sharing (1998) and EU membership (2016).

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout among disadvantaged groups has declined recently.
Homelessness used to prevent people from being on the electoral roll, but now they can claim a 'declaration of local connection.'

Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission, established in 2000, ensures the integrity of the UK's democratic process.

Local Government

Local authorities, or councils, decide on local services.
Local elections occur at least every four years, with variations in election frequencies.
Local government systems are classified as one-tier (unitary) or two-tier (county and districts).
England has 353 councils, with many different categories.
Elections for Local Government use: First Past The Post system (England & Wales), Single Transferable Vote (Scotland & Northern Ireland).

Council Responsibilities

Councils manage various services, including children's services, social care, public health, libraries, planning, roads, emergencies, and more.
Their role also involves improving the quality of life through elements like floral displays.

Mayoral Elections

Some UK areas choose mayors using the Supplementary Vote system, requiring voters to select a first and second choice.

UK Tax System

Taxes are compulsory contributions to state revenue for aspects like workers' income and business profits or added costs to goods, services, and transactions.
The tax year is from April 6th to April 5th next year (a tradition from medieval times).
Every UK citizen has a tax-free personal allowance — £11,850 in 2019 — but this can change based on factors like marriage or disability.

Tax Types

Several types of tax exist in the UK, including Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Inheritance Tax, National Insurance, Excise Duties, Insurance Premium Tax, Petroleum Revenue Tax, Stamp Duty, VAT, TV Licence, Landfill taxes, Business rates, Green taxes, Air Passenger Duty, Climate Change Levy, and Vehicle Exercise Tax.

Tax-Free Allowances

Tax-free allowances include ISA savings interest, dividends from company shares, the first £1,000 of self-employment income, the first £1,000 of rental income, some state benefits, Premium Bond or National Lottery winnings, rent from a lodger (below the rent-a-room limit), and Married Couple's Allowance (for reduced rates).

Taxable Items

Taxes are typically levied on income from employment, self-employment profits, certain state benefits, most pensions, rental income, job benefits, trust income, and savings interest (beyond allowance, or outside ISAs).

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Description

Explore the various types of elections in the UK, including general, local council, and European elections. Understand how MPs are elected, what constitutes majority rule, and the specific voting qualifications and restrictions for citizens. This quiz provides insight into the democratic process in the UK.