6th Chapter

Question 1

What is the meaning of the words “Never Believe Anything Until It’s Been Officially Denied?

Answer 1

It is a joke from a diary, Duncan and Eric are sure Jim wants to be Prime Minister when he implies that he doesn’t

Question 2

What indicates a lack of enthusiasm for politicians of Britain?

Answer 2

General ignorance of who they are

Question 3

Can you think of any TV political satire popular in Britain in the 80s and 90s? (name 2 titles)

Answer 3

Yes, Prime Minister

Question 4

What was the affair surrounding the book Spycatcher?

Answer 4

British governments do not like public revelations of their activities (Spycatcher were the memoirs of an MI6 agent)

Question 5

What shows a British high respect for the law?

Answer 5

Tax evasion is not very often

Question 6

Is there a tendency in Britain towards a lack of regulation or an excess of regulation?

Answer 6

Lack of regulation

Question 7

Is it currently compulsory for British citizens to have identity cards?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Are British citizens obliged to carry identification with them?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

What is the traditional assumption about the relationship in Britain between the individual and the state?

Answer 9

That both should leave each other alone as much as possible

Question 10

What are and what are not the duties of the individual towards the state in the UK?

Answer 10

DUTIES:

• not breaking the law
• paying taxes

NOT DUTIES:

• voting at elections
• registering a change of address with a government authority

Question 11

What does it mean that Britain is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy?

Answer 11

Country governed by a king or queen who accepts the advice of a parliament

Country whose government is controlled by a parliament elected by the people

Question 12

Compared to other countries, is there more or less participation in Britain by ordinary citizens in governing and lawmaking?

Answer 12

Less

Question 13

What was the only countrywide referendum in British history on and when did it take place?

Answer 13

Whether the country should stay in the European Community, in 1975

Question 14

What is the nature of the UK constitution in contrast with other countries (what is meant by the constitution in the UK and in other countries)?

Answer 14

In other countries people have referendums in which they can vote “yes” or “no” on particular proposals

In Britain, constitution means people choose who is to govern the country and let them go with it

Question 15

How can the British party system be described (in 3 words)

Answer 15

Two-party system

Question 16

Which are the three main political parties in the UK, what are their political outlooks and who are their voters?

Answer 16

Conservative party
Right of centre
- reduce income tax
- minimal government interference in the economy

V: Richer sections of society plus a large minority of the working classes

Labour party
Left of centre
- more government involvement in the economy
- providing full social services

V: Working class plus a small middle-class intelligentsia

Liberal Democratic party
Centre or slightly left
- greater unification with the EU
- emphasis on environment

V: From all classes, but more from middle class

Question 17

Has Britain a tradition of single-party or coalition governments?

Answer 17

Single-party

Question 18

Because of a tendency towards the informal/unofficial style of politics, the House of Commons used to be called:

Answer 18

“The most exclusive club in London”

Question 19

Where is the seat of the Parliament of the UK? (name of the building and its alternative name)

Answer 19

The Palace of Westminster, alternative name - The House of Commons

Question 20

How does the television advertising of political parties work in Britain?

Answer 20

Each party is given a strict amount of time

Question 21

What is the “pairing system” in the UK parliament?

Answer 21

MP of one party is “paired” with an MP of another party, when they would vote on opposite sides, they dont even show up, they dont waste time like this and can work instead

Question 22

When was the Labour party formed and which party did it replace as the other main party in the UK?

Answer 22

Beginning of the twentieth century, it replaced the Liberal Party

Question 23

What is the formal title of the leader of the strongest opposition party in the UK?

Answer 23

“Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition”

Question 24

The cabinet that the leader of the strongest opposition party forms is called:

Answer 24

Shadow cabinet

Question 25

When do the party annual conferences of the three main political parties take place?

Answer 25

In autumn

Question 26

What was the controversy over Salman Rushdie (in terms of the UK constitution)?

Answer 26

Muslims in Britain demanded the book which Salman wrote and insulted Islam to be banned and taken to court, but British law has a tradition of free speech