Chapter 2 - Emerging and minor political parties

Question 1

What sort of political system was the UK up until the mid-1990s?

Answer 1

A two-party system.

Question 2

In the 2015 general election, how many seats did the SNP win in Scotland?

Answer 2

56/59

Question 3

How many Westminster seats are there available in Scotland?

Answer 3

59

Question 4

How many seats did the SNP win in the 2017 general election?

Answer 4

35

Question 5

How many seats did the SNP win in the 2019 general election?

Answer 5

48

Question 6

How much of the popular vote did UKIP win in the 2015 general election?

Answer 6

12.6%

Question 7

How many seats did UKIP win at the 2015 general election?

Answer 7

1 (with 12.6% of the vote).

Question 8

Even though UKIP struggles to get any seats, how does it have an impact at general elections?

Answer 8

It takes seats away from the main parties, forcing them to take note of the issues they promoted - hence the EU referendum.

Question 9

How much of the vote did the Green party win in the 2015 general election?

Answer 9

3.8%, with one seat.

Question 10

Who is the one Green MP?

Answer 10

Caroline Lucas

Question 11

Is the UK still a two-party system?

Answer 11

No. Two parties still dominate, but other smaller parties make an impact, meaning we are a multi-party system.

Question 12

Where is there a greater choice of parties for voters to choose from?

Answer 12

In the devolved regions.

Question 13

For as long as Scotland remains in the UK, what constitutional reforms does the SNP support?

Answer 13

• An elected second chamber.
• Proportional representation.
• Votes for 16-year-olds.

Question 14

How has the growth in support for the SNP forced the main parties to change their policy proposals?

Answer 14

They all support further devolution to Scotland.

Question 15

Other than holding an EU referendum, how did UKIP influence the policy of the Conservative Party?

Answer 15

They forced the Conservatives to introduce strict targets for reducing immigration.

Question 16

The UK generally has a stable political system, but when was the one significant period of adversary politics?

Answer 16

1979-1990, Margaret Thatcher.

Question 17

What is the overall objective of the SNP?

Answer 17

Scottish independence

Question 18

What sort of ideology does the SNP have?

Answer 18

It is social democratic.

Question 19

What has the SNP done to achieve equality of opportunity?

Answer 19

Abolished university tuition fees.

Question 20

What is UKIP opposed to?

Answer 20

• High immigration of people without wanted skills.
• Government interference in the economy.
• International aid.
• Devolution.

Question 21

What are the Green Party’s policies?

Answer 21

• Building of new homes to solve the housing crisis.
• Abolition of university fees.
• £10 minimum wage.

Question 22

What did the Tories agree with the DUP in 2017?

Answer 22

A confidence and supply agreement - a less formal cooperation than a coalition.

Question 23

What did the Brexit Party do in the 2017 election to influence the outcome?

Answer 23

They did not contest seats in Conservative constituencies to ensure a pre-brexit, right wing outcome.

Question 24

Who has just become the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly, following the May elections?

Answer 24

Sinn Fein, overtaking the DUP

Question 25

How many seats does the SNP have in the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 25

64 - one seat short of a majority

Question 26

Who is the SNP in coalition with?

Answer 26

The Scottish Greens - despite this, they are still considered the dominant party in Scotland

Question 27

What does Sinn Fein want to achieve?

Answer 27

They are republican, and want NI to join the Republic of Ireland