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Life in the UK > Ch5- UK gov + law > Flashcards

Ch5- UK gov + law Flashcards

1
Q

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected on the basis of:

A

proportional representation (seats allocalted to each party in proportion to total no. of votes)

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2
Q

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is a group of European and North American countries that was created with which TWO purposes:

NATO

A
  1. help each other if they come under attack
  2. maintain peace betw mems
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3
Q

small claims procedure for minor disputes for:

A
  • claims of < £10,000 in England and Wales
  • < £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland
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4
Q

Chancellor of the Exchequer

A

Economy

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5
Q

Proceedings in Parliament

A
  • broadcast on TV
  • published in official reports- Hansard
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6
Q

The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries in the House of…

A

Commons + Lords

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7
Q

Which of the following organisations has no power to make laws but draws up conventions and charters, including the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms?

A

Council of Europe-
protection + promotion of human rights

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8
Q

most serious criminal cases, eg murder, in Scotland

A

High Court

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9
Q

The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out what they see as the government’s

A
  • failures
  • weaknesses
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10
Q

What is the minimum age requirement to drive a mopped (motorbike) in the UK?

A

16

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11
Q

How many countries formed the European Economic Community (EEC) when it was first created in 1957?

A

European Union (EU), originally called the European Economic Community (EEC), was set up by 6 western European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) who signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957.

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12
Q

In which city is the Northern Ireland Assembly building, also known as Stormont, located?

A

Belfast

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13
Q

MPs’ office

A

House of Commons (Westminster)

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14
Q

def

Magistrate

A
  • trained, volunteer mem of local community
  • make decisions in criminal + family cases in Mgistrates’ court + Family court
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15
Q

Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) in England, Wales and Scotland

A
  • unpaid
  • x need legal qualifications
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16
Q

Which is more independent, House of Commons or House of Lords?

A

Lords

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17
Q

Does Britain have a written constitution?

A

No
This is mainly because the UK, unlike America or France, has never had a revolution which led permanently to a totally new system of government.

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18
Q

When were the United Nations set up?

A

After WWII- prevent war + promote international peace + security

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19
Q

copies of Hansard found in

A
  • large libraries
  • www.parliament.uk
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20
Q

How many senior MPs are appointed by the Prime Minister?

A

~20 (to be in charge of departments)

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21
Q

Prime Minister house

A

10 Downing Street
- country house outside London- Chequers

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22
Q

Elections for the European Parliament

A

every 5 years
MEP (mem of European Parliament)

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23
Q

What is the name of the building where the Scottish Parliament meet?

A

Holyrood (Edinburgh)

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24
Q

Which court deals with minor criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

A

Magistrates’ Court
Scotland- Justice of the Peace Court

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24
Q

Who forms the shadow cabinet?

A

Senior opposition MPs appointed by the leader of the opposition
- challenge gov + put forward alternative policies

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25
Q

On which issues can the Northern Ireland Assembly make decisions?

A
  • education
  • agriculture
  • environment
  • health & social services

x defence

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26
Q

How many devolved administrations are there in the UK?

A

3
1. Welsh gov
2. Scottish Parliament
3. Northern Ireland Assembly

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27
Q

Who is responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring that trials are conducted fairly?

A

Judiciary (Judges)

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28
Q

How often do people who are 70 years old or over need to renew their driving licence?

A

every 3 years

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29
Q

Where are the Welsh government and the Senedd based?

A

Cardiff (capital of Wales)

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30
Q

Which of the following is not a member of the European Union?
a. Finland
b. Denmark
c. Sewden
d. Norway

A

Norway

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31
Q

How can you visit the UK Parliament (choose TWO options)?

A
  1. write to local MP to ask for tickets
  2. Queueing on the day at public entrance
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32
Q

Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Commonwealth?
a. Uganda
b. Ghana
c. Malawi
d. Zimbabwe

A

Zimbabwe

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33
Q

How often is the electoral register updated?

A

every year
- in Sep/ Oct

cos every year someone turns 18 etc.

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34
Q

What do you need to be able to drive a car in the UK?

A
  1. driving licence
  2. valid motor insurance
  3. MOT certificate (for cars over three years old)
  4. road tax

MOT- meets road safety + environmental standards

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35
Q

How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?

A

129

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36
Q

What is the main function of the Council of Europe?

A

protect + promote human rights

in its 47 mem countries

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37
Q

How many members comprise the UN Security Council?

A

15

recommend action when there are international crises + threats to peace

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38
Q

Members in the Senedd can speak English and Welsh, but all publications of the Senedd must be in English:

A

F

✔ both languages

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39
Q

How many members does the Northern Ireland Aseembly have?

A

90

MLAs (Members of the Legislative Aseembly)- elected by proportional representation

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40
Q

How can you visit the Scottish Parliament?

A

arrange tour thru visitor services

/ write to the parliament/ call/ email

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40
Q

Which of the following civil laws include disputes between landlords and tenants over issues such as repairs and eviction?

eviction = expulsion

A

housing law

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41
Q

How often are the elections for the European Parliament held?

A

every 5 years

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42
Q

Which senior MP is responsible for issues relating to crime, policing and immigration?

A

Home Secretary

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43
Q

Which of the following is NOT classified as a criminal offence in the UK?
a. Smoking in public places
b. Selling or buying drugs
c. Carrying a weapon
d. Unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace

A

d. unfair dismissal/ discrimmination in the workplace- civil offence

civil offence- individual; criminal- affects whole society

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44
Q

Which court usually deals with the MOST serious civil cases in Scotland?

A

The Court of Session in Edinburgh

vs High Court in England, Wles, N Ireland

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45
Q

Is forcing a person t omarry a civil or criminal offence?

A

criminal

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46
Q

Which court deals with serious criminal offences in England, Wales and N Ireland?

A

Crown Court

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47
Q

When were Protection Orders to protect a person from being forced into a marriage, or to protect a person in a forced marriage introduced for Scotland?

A

2011

vs 2008 for England, Wles, N Ireland

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48
Q

Since when have hereditary peers lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords?

A

1999

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49
Q

How many countries are members of the United Nations?

A
  • > 190 countries

biggest option

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50
Q

What is the system by which the income tax is automatically taken from the employee’s income by their employer and paid directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)?

A

‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE)

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51
Q

How many local authorities are there in London?

A

33

coordinated by Greater London Authority + Mayor of London

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52
Q

Who is the head of the state in the UK?

A

King Charles III

x PM!!

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53
Q

The action of handing out leaflets in the street or knocking on people’s doors to ask for their political support is known as:

A

Canvassing

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54
Q

Charity that works with old people

A

Age UK

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55
Q

How many members does the Council of Europe have?

A

47

2nd biggest no.

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56
Q

In the UK, MPs are elected on the basis of:

A

First past the post system (most votes)

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57
Q

When did the King start reining?

A

2022

8 Sept 2022

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58
Q

How do we call a set of principles by which a country is governed and which includes all of the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check?

A

constitution

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59
Q

How often are electrions held for the Senedd?

A

every 4 years

60 Senedd members (SMs), elections by proportional representation

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60
Q

What is the name given to the person appointed by local authorities to be the ceremonial leader of a particular council?

A

Mayor

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61
Q

Who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth?

A

British King

62
Q

Who is the chief officer of the House of Commons?

A

the Speaker

63
Q

If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, which is known as:

A

by-election
(in their consituency)

an MP’s constituents = ppl living in their constituency (geographical area represented by the MP in House of Commons)

64
Q

A person who has not paid enough National Insurance contributions will not be able to receive certain contributory benefits including (choose TWO options):

A
  1. Jobseeker’s Allowance
  2. full state retirement pension

✔ housing benefit!

65
Q

How are life peers appointed?

A

by the monarch on the advice of the PM

nominated by PM

nominated for lifetime, title x passed onto children

66
Q

T/F

The UN was set up after WWI and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security:

A

F, set up after WWII

67
Q

How many memebrs does a jury have in Scotland?

A

15

> everywhere else = 12

68
Q

How many memebrs does a jury have in England, Wales and N Ireland?

A

12

69
Q

TWO ways to visit the Northern Ireland Assembly:

A
  1. contacting the Education Service
  2. contacting an MLA
70
Q

When was the National Trust founded?

A

1895

by 3 volunteers

71
Q

When did the ‘Habeas Corpus’ Act become law?

A

1679

72
Q

When was the Treaty of Rome signed?

A

25th March 1957

all options were 1957, 25/3 looked right

73
Q

How often are general elections held in the UK?

A

every 5 years

74
Q

How is the Speaker elected?

A

by other MPs in a secret ballot

75
Q

When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established for the first time?

A

1922

76
Q

What name is given to the system used to deal with children and young people who have committed an offence in Scotland?

A

Children’s Hearings System

77
Q

Which charity works for the prevention of cruelty to children?

A

NSPCC
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

78
Q

T/F

In Wales, the jury has to listen to the evidence presented at the trial and then decide a verdict of ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ or ‘not proven’ based of what they have heard:

A

F

x ‘not proven’, only in Scotland (cos they’re the odd one out)

79
Q

T/F

It is a civil offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin:

A

F- criminal offence

80
Q

What is the Old Bailey?

A

Famous criminal court

most famous in the world

81
Q

What is the relationship between the monarch and the government?

A

Advise, warn, encourage the government’s decisions

x ‘approve’

regular meetings w/ PM; decisions on gov policies made by PM + cabinet

82
Q

How often are elections held for the Welsh gov?

A

every 4 years

83
Q

Where can people facing domestic violence get help from (TWO options)

A
  1. Citizens Advise Bureau
  2. solicitor

x human rights commission

84
Q

T/F

At the Youth Court, the parents or carers of the young person being judged are expected to attend the hearing:

A

T

85
Q

Who is responsible for the creation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms?

A

the Council of Europe

x power to make laws, draws up conventions + charter

86
Q

What does ‘PDSA’ stand for?

A

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

dispensary = place where medicines are provided

87
Q

How long does it take to donate blood?

A

about an hour

88
Q

What does ‘MEPs’ stand for?

A

Members of the European Parliament

89
Q

In which of the following matters can the Scottish Parliament legislate (choose FIVE options)?
A. Additional tax-raising powers
B. Economic development
C. Health
D. Education
E. Civil and criminal law
F. Immigration
G. Planning

A

A, C, D, E, G

90
Q

Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) are members of:

A

local community

91
Q

Which TWO charities work with homeless people?

A
  1. Shelter
  2. Crisis
92
Q

What is the Commonwealth?

A

An association of countries that support each other + work tgt towards shared goals in democracy + development

93
Q

When was the voting age reduced to 18 for men and women?

A

1969

latest option

94
Q

When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established for the first time?

A

1922

earliest option- for once

95
Q

What is the opposition?

A

second largest party in the House of Commons

96
Q

Groups that form the British government:

A
  1. monarchy
  2. Parliament (Commons + Lords)
  3. PM
  4. cabinet
  5. judiciary (courts)
  6. police
  7. civil service
  8. local gov
97
Q

Many MPs, SMs and MSPs hold regular local events where constituents can go in person to talk about issues that are of concern to them. These are known as:

A

local ‘surgeries’

98
Q

Which Act introduced the Forced Marriage Protection Orders for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2008?

A

the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007

~protection orders in Scotland in Nov 2011

99
Q

When is the electoral register updated?

A

Sep/ Oct

school year

100
Q

Ceremonial role undertaken by the King

A

opening the new parliamentary session every year

makes a speech, summarising gov policies for the year ahead

101
Q

How long can you use your driving licence in the UK if you have a licence from another country?

A

up to 12 months

102
Q

Which court deals with the most serious civil cases in England, Wales and N Ireland?

A

High Court

103
Q

T/F

UK is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council:

A

T

other permanent mems: China, France, Russian Federation, UK, US
10 non-perm mems

104
Q

What changes did the Chartists campaign for?

A
  1. every man to have the vote
  2. elections every year
  3. all regions to be equal in electoral system
  4. secret ballots
  5. any man to stand as MP
  6. MPs to be paid

right to vote for the working classes + ppl w/o property

105
Q

When was the Scottish Parliament formed?

A

1999

106
Q

T/F

Citizens of Liechtenstein can drive in the UK for as long as their driving license is valid:

A

T

for licences from:
- country in EU
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway

107
Q

What are arranged marriages?

A

both parties agree to the marriage

108
Q

Which of the following is NOT a role of the King:
A. To inaugurate important business in the UK
B. To receive foreign ambassadors and high commissioners
C. To entertain visiting heads of state
D. To make state visits overseas

introduce

A

A

the King makes state visits overseas in support of diplomatic relationships w/ other countries

109
Q

Who has control over policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security in Northern Ireland?

A

central UK gov

other public services eg. education - controlled by devolved administrations

110
Q

How can you visit the Senedd?

Cardiff, Wales

A

contacting the Senedd Booking Service

111
Q

Matters the Scottish Parliament can legislate:

A
  • civil + criminal law
  • health
  • education
  • planning
  • additional tax-raising powers

x immigration

112
Q

The clock tower is named ‘Elizabeth Tower’ in honour of:

A

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012

113
Q

When are local elections for councillors held in most local authorities?

A

May

114
Q

Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Commonwealth?
A. Ghana
B. Cyprus
C. Greece
D. Sierra Leone

A

C. Greece

115
Q

When did the UK sign the European Convention of Human Rights?

A

1950

one of the first to sign

116
Q

List the devolved administrations:

A
  • the Senedd
  • Scottish Parliament
  • Northern Ireland Assembly
117
Q

What was the name of the European Union when it was first established?

A

European Economic Community (EEC)

set up by 6 western Europe countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands)- signed Treaty of Rome, 25/3/1957

118
Q

Which Act incoropated the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law?

A

Human Rights Act 1998

119
Q

Are arranged marriages acceptable in the UK?

A

yes

both parties agree

120
Q

Which of the follwing countries belongs to the Commonwealth?
A. Morocco
B. Algeria
C. Mozambique
D. Mali

A

C. Mozambique

121
Q

Where is the centrepiece to the Remembrance Day service known as Cenotaph located?

A

Whitehall, London

122
Q

What did the ‘Bill of Rights’ confirm in 1689?

A

rights of the Parliament + limits of the king’s power

parliament- who could be monarch + king/ queen must be Protestant

123
Q

Has the UK government used the power to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly?

A

yes, on a few occasion

124
Q

When was the Brexit referndum held?

A

23 June 2016

125
Q

Who is responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence?

A

Secretary of State

126
Q

What is the judiciary responsible for?

A

interpreting the law

x decide whether a person is guilty

+ ensuring trials are conducted fairly

127
Q

What was the purpose of the Corn Laws in 1846?

A

to prevent the import of cheap grain

128
Q

Who is able to change the Prime Minister during his/her term?

A

Governing party

x monarch

129
Q

What does the ‘R’ plate stand for?

A

Restricted driver

130
Q

How many Houses did the Scottish Parliament have in the middle ages?

A

3

131
Q

What organisations try to influence government policy?

A

pressure + lobby groups

132
Q

How often do you have to take the MOT test for an old vehicle?

Ministry Of Transport

A

every year

  • for vehicles > 3 y.o.
  • offence to not have MOT cert if vehicle >3 y.o.
133
Q

Who led the Labour Government from 2007 to 2010?

A

Gordon Brown

134
Q

How often are ‘Prime Minister’s Questions’ held in the Parliament?

A

every week

30 mins every Weds

135
Q

When were men and women given the right to vote at the age of 21?

A

1928

E P gave women the right

136
Q

T/F

Anyone can make a complaint about the police by writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved.

A

T

137
Q

What determines how much solicitors charge their client?

A

how much time they spend on a case

138
Q

By law, which TWO types of media have to give a balanced coverage of all political parties and equal time to rival viewpoints before an election?

A
  1. television
  2. radio

x newspaper

139
Q

T/F

Several Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords

A

T

140
Q

Where are the Crown Jewels kept?

A

Tower of London

141
Q

Key roles of school governors (3)

A
  1. set strategic direction of the school
  2. ensure accountability
  3. monitor + evaluate school performance
142
Q

Minimum age to stand as MP?

A

18

143
Q

How can complaints aginst the police be made?

A
  1. going to a police station + writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved
  2. made to an independent body- the Independent Police Complaints Commission (England + Wales) / the Police Complaints Commissioner (Scotland) / Police Ombudsman (N Ireland)
144
Q

Which UK nation(s) use a system called ‘individual registration’ where all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form?

A

N Ireland

145
Q

Which two documents do you need to apply for a National Insurance number?

A
  1. docs that prove that you have permission to work in the UK
  2. docs that prove your identity
146
Q

T/F

Female genital mutilation
(FGM) or taking a girl or woman abroad for FGM is illegal in the UK and it is a criminal offence.

A

T

147
Q

What did ‘the Butler Act’ introduce in 1944?

A

free secondary education in England + Wales

  • Richard Austen Butler, Conservative MP, responsible for education in 1941
  • Education Act 1944 (Butler Act)
148
Q

What is a small claims procedure?

A

an informal way of helping ppl to settle minor disputes w/o speding a lot of time + money using a lawyer

149
Q

What did the Habeas Corpus Act introduce?

A

that every prisoner has a right to a court hearing

  • 1679
  • ‘H C’ = Latin for ‘you must present the person in court’
  • no one can be held prisoner unlawfully
150
Q

How are civil servants appointed and what political party do they belong to?

A

chosen on merit + politically neutral

151
Q

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Youth Court cases are normally heard by:
(TWO answers)

A
  1. up to 3 specially trained magistrates
  2. district judge

accused person aged 10-17

152
Q

What is the minimum age required to drive a motorcycle?

A

17 yrs old

153
Q

Which of the following is not a constitutional institution?
A. Parliament
B. cabinet
C. armed forces
D. police

A

C. armed forces

constitutional institutions: monarchy, parliament, PM, cabinet, judiciary, police, civil service, local gov

154
Q

What are the responsibilities of MPs? (4)

A
  • represent everyone in their constituency
  • help create new laws
  • scrutinise + comment on what gov is doing
  • debate important national issues

scrutinise = examine thoroughly

155
Q

What are TWO responsibilities of the monarch?

A
  1. advise, warn, encourage PM’s decisions on gov policies
  2. appoint gov

gov policies ultimately made by PM + cabinet

Life in the UK (5 decks)

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