UK Politics and Parliamentary System

Flashcards covering key notes on UK political parties, Prime Ministers, election systems, and parliamentary governance.

What major event in 2016 served as a pivotal turning point in shaping modern British politics?

Brexit (the UK referendum vote to leave the European Union).

What promise did Prime Minister David Cameron make in 2013 regarding the European Union?

He pledged to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union if the Conservative Party won the upcoming general election.

What percentage of voters chose to leave the European Union in the 2016 UK referendum?

$51\%$ to $52\%$ voted to leave.

Which six British Prime Ministers resigned in the period following the Brexit referendum?

David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer.

Which political figures mentioned in the notes held office or leadership without winning a national election?

Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Andy Burnham.

What is meant by the term "Burnham bounce" in the lecture notes?

A phenomenon where Andy Burnham's popularity rose significantly above Keir Starmer's, leading voters to turn toward the Labour Party.

Why do Members of Parliament from Sinn Féin refuse to take their seats in the UK Parliament?

Because taking their seats requires swearing an oath of allegiance to the British monarchy, which they view as submitting to British imperialism.

How did the historical Whigs and Tories transform into modern political parties?

The Whigs (who sought to reform the monarchy) became the Liberal Party, while the Tories (who supported the monarchy) became the Conservative Party.

What was the "three-quid vote" mechanism in the 2015 Labour Party leadership election?

A rule allowing grassroots supporters and ordinary people to pay $£3$ to vote for the party leader, contributing to Jeremy Corbyn's victory.

What key message directed at Donald Trump did Jeremy Corbyn deliver during his speech at the 2017 Glastonbury Festival?

"Build bridges, not walls."

Which poem did Jeremy Corbyn cite to express that the majority of ordinary people would eventually overcome minority elites?

Percy Shelley's 'The Mask of Anarchy' (written in response to the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester).

What is the function of a "shadow cabinet" in the UK parliamentary system?

A body formed by the leader of the official opposition party to scrutinize and question the main government's ministry work, holding no executive power.

What political movement asserts the right to a Jewish state in Israel?

Zionism.

What electoral discrepancy in the 2024 UK general election is illustrated in this diagram?

The Labour Party won $411$ seats ($63\%$ of the House of Commons, outer ring) despite receiving only $33.7\%$ of the total national vote (inner ring), illustrating disproportionate results under First-Past-The-Post.

What allegation gave rise to the nickname "Two-tier Keir" used by right-wing critics against Keir Starmer?

The concept of "two-tier policing," which claimed that far-right white anti-immigrant groups were targeted more harshly by law enforcement than other groups.

Why was Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador by Keir Starmer considered controversial?

He was a personal friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as shown by shared emails and photographs.

Who is known as the "King of the North," serving as Mayor of Manchester before becoming Prime Minister?

Andy Burnham.

What actions led the UK government to designate Palestine Action (Pal Action) as a terrorist group?

Direct protest actions opposing Israeli actions, including vandalizing and destroying a fighter plane at Brize.

Which female leaders have led the Conservative Party?

Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, Liz Truss, and Kemi Badenoch.

Why did Boris Johnson prorogue Parliament for 5 weeks during his leadership?

To suspend parliamentary debate while attempting to work out a Brexit deal, an action later ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Who was the shortest-serving Prime Minister in UK history, lasting only 6 weeks in office?

Liz Truss.

What are the core principles of One Nation Conservatism?

Paternalism (the wealthy looking after everyone) and inclusivity rather than strict equality.

What was Clause 4 of the Labour Party constitution, and when was it altered?

It was a commitment to public ownership of industry; it was removed in the 1990s under Tony Blair to create "New Labour."

How was the Liberal Democrats party created in 1988?

Through a merger between the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which had split from Labour in 1980.

How did Nigel Farage define British identity at the 2024 Reform conference?

He stated that "Judeo-Christian culture underpins everything," defining British identity by religious culture rather than multicultural diversity.

What ideology defines the Restore Britain party led by Rupert Lowe?

Ethnic-nationalism, an ideology associating a person's identity strictly with their ancestral lineage.

Who won the Gorton-Denton by-election as a Green Party MP with a working-class background as a plumber?

Hannah Spencer.

What power did the House of Lords retain after its legislative veto was removed in the early 20th century?

The power of delay.

What is a "quango" in British administration?

A Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organization—an independent body appointed and funded by a government ministry to perform specific tasks.

What occurred during the "Cash for Questions" parliamentary scandal?

Members of Parliament accepted monetary bribes to ask specific questions inside Parliament.

In the UK House of Commons, what distinguishes a "frontbencher" from a "backbencher"?

Frontbenchers include the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and shadow cabinet members who lead party policy, while backbenchers are regular MPs without ministerial posts.

What defines Machiavellianism in political leadership?

Prioritizing the power and stability of the regime over ethics or morality.

What percentage of voters chose to keep the First-Past-The-Post system in the 2011 UK referendum on Alternative Voting?

$66\%$ voted to keep the First-Past-The-Post system.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, what threshold is required before a referendum on Northern Ireland's independence can occur?

A clear majority of the population must explicitly desire separation.

What is meant by a "sandcastle majority" in an election outcome?

A large parliamentary majority that is politically unstable or weak because it is based on a relatively low percentage of the national vote.