The Great Big Politics UCAS Quiz

Representation, Participation, Citizen Education, Legitimacy, Accountability, Elite Recruitment

Functions of elections include…

229

How many MPs elected on <50% of the vote in 2019?

Wide adult franchise, secret ballot

Things that make FPTP elections legitimate…

2015

Which election did the SDLP win a seat with under 25% of the vote?

2005 - Tories won more votes in England than Labour, Labour still won 80 more seats than them

Example of FPTP not allocating proportionally

50% of the vote, 95% of the seats

2015 - SNP voteshare vs seatshare (Scotland)

Electoral deserts

Areas where there is no competition between parties are called…

25% of the votes, 23 seats

1983 - Alliance won how many votes vs how many seats..

129

How many seats in the Holyrood parliament?

Droop quota, total valid poll, seat count

STV terms

3.4, 2.4

Number of mean electoral and mean parliamentary parties in Westminster

4.3, 3.3

Number of mean electoral and mean parliamentary parties in Holyrood

5.2, 4.5

Number of mean electoral and mean parliamentary parties in Stormont

1975

When was the EEC referendum?

Undermines authority of parliament, binding sovereignty, misleading campaigns, protest votes etc..

Anti-referendum arguments include…

82.4%

What percentage of the vote did the Labour and Tory parties win combined in 2017?

Rational voting on who would govern the most effectively, based on prior experience and competence.

Valence Voting

Rational voting where policies are compared → votes for who would best improve the UK

Rational Choice Voting

Irrational voting → based on single issues like climate, immigration etc..

Issue Voting

Sense of belonging and participation in society → can affect turnout

Social Capital

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Example of secondary legislation

The Prime Minister dominates both their party and government policy with considerable, unchecked authority. Personal source of power.

The PM is predominant meaning…

The Prime Minister is the undisputed head and leading figure of the government. Institution is the source of power.

The PM is preeminent meaning…

200

Staff numbers at the PMO

2007 - Cash for honours scandal

When and why was an independent committee created to oversee govt honours?

Sir Geoffrey Howe (Chancellor), Sir Keith Joseph (Industry)

Example of two dries in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet

Lord Carrington (Foreign), Francis Pym (Defence)

Example of two wets in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet

1961-1963

When was the Profumo Scandal?

1992

When did David Mellar resign?

1986

When did Michael Heseltine resign?

2020

When did Priti Patel not resign?

2017

When did Priti Patel resign initially (Israel)?

Integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Under the ministerial code, ministers should have…

The right of either chamber to regulate its own internal affairs w/out court interference

What is exclusive cognisance?

Chris Davies - pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud concerning parliamentary expenses, lost by-election in 2019

Example of an MP not being above the law?

2 archbishops and 24 senior CoE bishops

How many Lords Spiritual in the HoL?

Free vote (2003), White Paper (2007), HoL Bill (2012)

Examples of House of Lords reform failing

Over 400

How many times were Blair and Brown defeated in the HoL between 1997 and 2010?

The HoC can dismiss a government, the HoL cannot.

Key element of the power of the HoL vs HoC

A statement of policy intent by government.

White Paper

A consultative document that outlines a range of legislative options for a policy idea

Green Paper

Public Bills, Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, Private Members Bills

Different types of bills…

Select Committees, Backbench Business Committee, Liaison Committee, Public Accounts Committee (expenditure), Joint Committees

Different types of committees.

40%

What proportion of select committee recommendations are implemented?

10%

What proportion of Private Members Bills are passed?

1979

When were select committees first set up?

Edited record of what was said in parliament - votes, written statements, accountability

What is a hansard?

Oral questions, written questions, questions to ministers, PMQs, opposition days

Examples of how to hold the govt to account in parliament…

Suggested elections for select committee chairs, the creation of the BBBC, more time for the report stage, a reduction in committee size etc..

What were the Wright Reforms?

State funding given to opposition parties to cover administration costs and parliamentary work

What is short money?

State funding given to opposition parties in the HoL to help with parliamentary duties

What is cranborne money?

Bernie Eccleston’s £1,000,000 donation to Labour in 1997 → potentially delayed tobacco advert restrictions in F1

Example of a large donation that inspired regulation

Membership fees, donations, state funding, public grants for campaigns, fundraising

Parties are funded through…

Donations of over £7,500 must be disclosed publicly, set up the independent Electoral Commission, spending rules

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 did what?

Labour - £30 million, Tories - £24 million, LibDems - £5.5 million, Reform - £5.5 million

2024 Spending figures

Legal supremacy of parliament

Parliamentary sovereignty is the practice of what?

The relationship between the state and individual, and it being governed by the law.

The rule of law is a theory binding what?

Statute law, common law, conventions, authoritative works, european laws

Source of the UK constitution…

Enshrined a right to private into law

Data Protection Act 1998 did what?

Greater access to info held by public bodies → expenses scandal 2009

Freedom of Information Act 2000 did what?

primary legislative powers

In 1999 the Scottish parliament was devolved with…

Secondary legislative powers

In 1998 the Senedd was devolved with…

14

How many metropolitan or regional mayors are there?

Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011 (repealed 2021), AV referendum 2011, EVEL 2015 (repealed 2021)

Examples of failed Tory constitutional reform 2010-2024

Scotland Act 2012/2016, Wales Act 2014/2017, HoL Reform Act 2014, Recall of MPs Act 2015, Brexit

Examples of successful Tory constitutional reform 2010-2024

37%

How many 18-24 year olds voted in 2005?

2017 - Labour won 40% of the vote despite only being supported by the Mirror

Examples of newspapers not affecting outcomes