comp 1 : pol Flashcards
evidence bank
1
Q
What was the turnout percentage in the 2016 Brexit referendum?
A
72%
51.89% voted to leave the EU.
2
Q
How many members did the Labour Party have as of February 2025?
A
309,000
This number reflects a decline from previous years.
3
Q
What significant event occurred in October 2023 regarding the Recall of MPs Act?
A
The MP for Wellingborough, Peter Bone, was suspended for bullying and sexual misconduct.
13% of constituents signed the petition, which was successful.
4
Q
What was the turnout percentage for the Scottish Referendum in 2014?
A
84.6%
This referendum had a significant impact on political engagement in Scotland.
5
Q
What was the average voter turnout for UK general elections between 1945 and 1997?
A
76%
This contrasts with lower turnouts in recent elections.
6
Q
Which country is considered the 8th most democratic state globally?
A
Switzerland
It uses direct democracy and holds around 10 referendum style votes a year.
7
Q
What is the most common reason people do not vote, according to a 2015 poll?
A
‘Not believing it will make a difference’
This reflects a sense of voter apathy.
8
Q
Fill in the blank: The 2011 Alternative Vote Referendum had a turnout of _______.
A
42%
This was notably lower than the turnout for the 2010 election.
9
Q
True or False: Ethnic minorities are more likely to vote for the Conservative party than the Labour party.
A
False
In the 2017 General Election, Labour won 73% of the ethnic minority vote.
10
Q
What was the voter turnout for the 2024 general election?
A
60%
This marked a drop of 7.9% compared to the 2019 general election.
11
Q
What significant change to election calling was made by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022?
A
It allows the Prime Minister to call an election at a preferred time.
This replaced the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2010.
12
Q
What does the term ‘Bregret’ refer to?
A
Regret over the decision to leave the EU
Polls in 2024 showed that 57% believed leaving the EU was the wrong choice.
13
Q
What was the turnout percentage among 16-17 year-olds in the Scottish Independence Referendum?
A
75%
97% of those who voted said they would vote again in the future.
14
Q
Which act extended the voting age to 18 for both men and women?
A
1969 Representation of the People Act
This act was significant in expanding suffrage.
15
Q
What has been a significant recent campaign by the WASPI group?
A
They campaign for compensation due to the government increasing the pension age.
This has been an ongoing issue affecting many women.
16
Q
What is the primary focus of the pressure group Just Stop Oil?
A
Civil disobedience to raise awareness about climate change
Their methods have included vandalism and direct action.
17
Q
True or False: The National Farmers Union has a close relationship with the government.
A
True
They work together on funding and policy issues related to agriculture.
18
Q
What percentage of the public supported compulsory voting according to polling?
A
Over 70%
Fewer than 20% were against the idea.
19
Q
Fill in the blank: The 1832 Great Reform Act disenfranchised ______ boroughs.
A
56
It also created new constituencies and broadened property qualifications.
20
Q
What was the membership of the Conservative Party in the 1990s?
A
Estimated 400,000
This number has significantly decreased over the years.
21
Q
What was the turnout for the 2024 London mayoral elections?
A
40.5%
This indicates a trend of declining voter engagement.
22
Q
What did the Electoral Commission report about 18-24 year olds’ turnout in 2010?
A
54%
This demographic has shown decreasing engagement over time.
23
Q
What has been a recent action by the charity Care4Calais regarding the Rwanda Bill?
A
Attempting to bring a legal challenge against it
They argue that human rights law still applies.
24
Q
Who is the first Hijabi MP in Parliament?
A
Um
Accused Labour for targeting her for being a socialist, Muslim, working-class woman.
25
What legal challenge did Care4Calais attempt against the Rwanda Bill?
They stated that 'Human rights law still applies, we are ready to go.'
26
What did the National Trust call for in 2022?
To stay true to its net-zero by 2030 obligation and continue to ban fracking.
27
What was the outcome of Sunak's policies regarding net-zero and fracking?
Extended net-zero to 2050 and lifted the fracking ban, which was later reinstated.
28
What campaign did Extinction Rebellion launch at St Paul’s Cathedral?
A campaign for climate change.
29
What was the 'Poo Patrol' launched by Extinction Rebellion in May 2024?
Activists dressed in white overalls pretended to fish out waste from the River Nidd.
30
Who was the figurehead for FareShare's social media campaign during the 2020 lockdown?
Footballer Marcus Rashford.
31
What did the government provide in response to Marcus Rashford's campaign?
£120 million 'Covid summer food fund' and £170 million 'Covid winter grant scheme.'
32
What was the goal of the Gurkha Justice Campaign?
To gain right of abode for Gurkhas who served in the British military.
33
What significant ruling did the High Court make regarding Gurkhas in 2008?
Ruled that the lack of rights for Gurkhas was illegal.
34
What was the Stop the War Coalition's action in 2003?
Mass rallies to stop the invasion of Iraq.
35
What was the ideological shift in the Conservative Party during the 1970s?
A move towards a more overtly free-market-oriented approach due to Margaret Thatcher's patronage.
36
How many parliamentary supporters did the Institute of Economic Affairs have in 2022?
24 supporters.
37
Which think tanks warned against Brexit?
* Resolution Foundation
* Fabian Society
38
Which think tanks are associated with the Conservative and Labour parties?
* Conservative: Adam Smith Institute, Centre for Social Justice
* Labour: Fabian Society, Institute for Public Policy
39
Who was Lex Greensill and what was his role?
Owner of Greensill Capital and senior advisor to David Cameron, lobbying for NHS services.
40
What was the aim of the lobbying firm Best for Britain?
To get another referendum on Brexit.
41
What role did the National Farmers Union play in the badger cull?
Used insider status to allow the 2013 badger cull.
42
What was the Hunting Dogs Act 2004?
A successful campaign led by the RSPCA and other groups to ban hunting.
43
What are some achievements of Stonewall?
* Same-sex marriage
* LGBTQ+ education in schools
* Advocacy against conversion therapy
44
What was the impact of trade unions on the Labour Party?
Held significant influence, donating £4 million to Labour in late 2019.
45
Who co-authored the 2019 Conservative Manifesto?
Robert Colville and Rachel Wolf.
46
How many citations did the Institute of Fiscal Studies reports receive from 2015 to 2021?
Over 150 citations.
47
What was Greenpeace's Microbeads campaign successful in achieving?
The government proposed the strongest ban on microbeads in the world.
48
What does countervailing mean in the context of pressure groups?
For every pressure group that exists, there is one that directly opposes its views.
49
What is the significance of the PG cage UK?
Advocates against post-9/11 terror laws affecting Muslims, highlighting their limited electoral influence.
50
What was the lobbying scandal involving MP Scott Benton?
Suspended for breaking lobbying rules related to the gambling industry.
51
What is the UK lobbying industry ranked globally?
Third largest.
52
What did the Palestine Solidarity Campaign achieve in May 2024?
Campaigned for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, leading to mass protests in London.
53
What did the Institute for Government issue in June 2022?
'How metro mayors can help level up England.'
54
What was the Adam Smith Institute's 2022 paper about?
'Countdown: Reforming the Cabinet Office.'
55
What did the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's 2022 UK Poverty Report examine?
The causes of poverty and its impact on children, the disabled, and various ethnic groups.
56
What is Chatham House known for?
Responsible for the 'Insights' book series on key international issues.
57
Which think tank was most often cited in policy documents between 2015-21?
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
58
What are the main features of political parties?
* Sharing similar political views
* Seeking to secure seats
* Developing policy
* Recruiting candidates
59
What are Labour's plans regarding the railways announced in 2024?
Renationalise the railways after 5 years.
60
What economic policies did Labour propose?
* New fiscal lock
* Tackling tax avoidance
* Publicly owned clean power company
* Genuine living wage
61
What is Labour's approach to law and order?
* Increase police presence
* Halve violence against women
* New Border Security Command
62
What is the Liberal Democrats' stance on the economy?
A fair, prosperous, and innovative economy that promotes opportunity.
63
What welfare policies do the Liberal Democrats advocate?
* Fair access to public services
* Strong social safety net
* Cut NHS waiting times
64
What is the Liberal Democrats' foreign policy?
* Rejoin EU single market
* Support international institutions
* Abandon Trident renewal
65
What was a consequence of the Liberal Democrats' opposition to the Mansion Tax?
Lost support from traditional voters.
66
What did the Liberal Democrats oppose during the coalition government?
The Communications Data Bill, due to civil liberties concerns.
67
What was a significant policy championed by the Liberal Democrats during the coalition?
The Pupil Premium policy.
68
What was the Conservative Party's priority under Cameron?
Reduce the budget deficit through austerity measures.
69
What welfare policies were implemented by the Conservatives?
* Cap on benefits
* Cuts to public services
* Increase funding for NHS
70
What was the Conservative Party's law and order promise in 2019?
Increase the number of police officers.
71
What is the SNP's approach to welfare?
Offer substantial pay rises to NHS staff and keep NHS in public hands.
72
What is the SNP's economic stance?
Tax burden should be proportionate to the ability to pay.
73
What is the primary role of political parties?
To influence public policy and gain political power by participating in elections.
## Footnote
Political parties serve as key instruments in democratic systems, shaping governance, policy-making, and public discourse.
74
What are the key functions of political parties?
* Representation
* Political Participation
* Policy Formulation
* Recruitment and Leadership
* Government Formation
## Footnote
These functions help articulate interests, mobilize voters, develop policies, train leaders, and form governments.
75
Define a single-party system.
A political system where a single party holds all political power, suppressing opposition and dissent.
## Footnote
Example: North Korea.
76
What is a two-party system?
A political system where two major parties dominate, such as the UK (Conservatives vs. Labour) and USA (Democrats vs. Republicans).
## Footnote
Such systems often limit voter choice and lead to policy convergence.
77
What is the 'wasted vote' phenomenon?
A situation in First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) systems where votes for smaller parties do not translate into seats.
## Footnote
This limits democratic representation.
78
What characterizes a multi-party system?
Multiple parties compete for power, often leading to coalition governments.
## Footnote
Example: Germany, where parties operate under Proportional Representation (PR).
79
What is the ideological difference between left-wing and right-wing parties?
* Left-wing: Focus on social equality and state intervention (e.g., Labour Party)
* Right-wing: Support for free-market capitalism and limited government (e.g., Conservative Party)
## Footnote
These ideologies shape party platforms and policies.
80
What is the role of centrist parties?
To appeal to voters disillusioned with extreme ideologies, balancing social justice with free-market policies.
## Footnote
Example: The Liberal Democrats in the UK.
81
What are common sources of party funding?
* Private Donations
* Public Funding
## Footnote
Private donations can influence party policies, while public funding aims to ensure fairness.
82
What is partisan dealignment?
The trend of declining traditional party loyalty, with voters identifying as independent or switching allegiance.
## Footnote
This reflects changing political dynamics focused on specific issues.
83
What is the rise of populism?
The emergence of populist parties challenging traditional structures, often focusing on nationalism and anti-elitism.
## Footnote
Example: The Brexit Party's rise in the UK.
84
How do electoral systems affect party success?
Different systems, like FPTP favoring larger parties and Proportional Representation benefiting smaller parties, impact electoral outcomes.
## Footnote
FPTP can lead to majoritarian systems where one party controls most seats despite not winning a majority of votes.
85
What challenges do political parties face in voter engagement?
Declining membership and the rise of new forms of political activism.
## Footnote
Examples include movements like Extinction Rebellion that show evolving political participation.
86
What is the significance of the SNP in UK politics?
The SNP emerged as a major political force in Scotland, demonstrating the shift toward regionalism and nationalism.
## Footnote
They won 56 out of 59 Scottish seats in the 2015 UK general election.
87
What was Tony Blair's major contribution to party messaging?
He maintained tight control over party messaging and reformed Clause IV to moderate the Labour Party's image.
## Footnote
This helped establish 'New Labour' and improve electoral success.
88
What was Boris Johnson's key message during the 2019 election?
'Get Brexit Done'.
## Footnote
This clear messaging helped the Conservatives gain a significant majority.
89
What is a major difference between Labour and Conservative approaches to welfare?
Labour seeks to reform Universal Credit, while Conservatives pledge to deliver tax cuts.
## Footnote
Both parties aim to cut NHS waiting lists but lack clear plans.
90
What stance do both Labour and Conservatives take regarding Israel?
Both parties have adamantly backed Israel in the Gaza conflict.
## Footnote
This reflects bipartisan support in UK foreign policy.
91
What is the impact of social media on political parties?
Social media allows direct engagement with voters but also poses risks from misinformation.
## Footnote
Example: Cambridge Analytica's influence in the 2016 US election.
92
What was the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000)?
A regulation introduced in the UK to ensure transparency in political donations.
## Footnote
It aimed to address concerns over corruption and elitism in party funding.
93
What are the implications of the 2024 local elections for minor parties?
Lib Dem (+104), Green (+74), and Independent (+93) showed gains.
## Footnote
This indicates a shift in voter support away from traditional major parties.
94
Fill in the blank: The SNP believes that the tax burden should be proportionate to the _______.
ability to pay.
## Footnote
This reflects their stance on economic policy.
95
What role do political parties play in democratic systems?
Political parties provide representation, policy alternatives, and leadership.
96
What challenges do political parties face today?
Challenges include declining loyalty, increasing fragmentation, and evolving voter engagement.
97
What is the impact of partisan outlets on public perception?
Partisan outlets reinforce party ideologies.
98
What does the term 'voter engagement' refer to?
Voter engagement refers to the ways in which individuals participate in the political process.
99
Fill in the blank: In 2019, only _______ of votes cast had an effect.
30%
100
What was the vote needed per seat for the Conservatives in 2024?
Under 40k votes
101
What was the vote needed per seat for Reform UK in 2024?
Over 800k votes
102
How many hung parliaments have there been since WW2?
3 hung parliaments
103
What was the percentage of votes won by Ukip in the 2015 election versus their seats?
12.6% of votes but only one seat
104
In the 2024 general election, what percentage of seats did Labour secure with only 34% of the vote?
63% of the seats
105
True or False: The FPTP system allowed Reform UK to gain a proportional number of seats in 2024.
False
106
What was the vote share and number of seats gained by the Liberal Democrats in the 2024 election?
12.22% vote share, 72 seats
107
What is AMS in the context of electoral systems?
Additional Member System
108
Fill in the blank: The 2011 Scottish Parliament elections resulted in Labour winning almost half of the constituency seats with just _______ of the vote.
32%
109
What was the turnout for the 2016 Brexit referendum?
72% Turnout
110
What is the role of the Electoral Commission?
It checks the wording of referendum questions and monitors campaigning groups.
111
What significant event followed the Brexit referendum?
The resignation of PM David Cameron
112
What was the primary argument for Brexit in the campaign?
‘Get Brexit done’
113
What was the vote share of BAME voters for Labour in the 2019 elections?
64%
114
What demographic trends did Ipsos MORI report about voting behavior by age?
Younger voters tend to vote Labour while older voters tend to vote Conservative.
115
What was the gender voting trend in the 2024 general election?
Gender was not a significant factor; nearly equal percentages voted for each party.
116
What impact did social media have on the Labour Party's strategy in 2024?
Labour appointed an employee to work with influencers to attract young voters.
117
What was the result of the 1975 referendum on the UK staying in the EU?
67% voted to remain.
118
What was one major effect of the FPTP system as noted in the analysis?
It often leads to single-party government.
119
In the 2024 general election, what was a significant change in voting behavior among BAME voters?
BAME voter share decreased compared to 2019.
120
What percentage of Daily Mail readers voted Conservative in the 2017 election?
74%
121
What was the outcome of the 1997 Welsh Assembly referendum?
50.3% voted yes with 49.7% turnout.
122
What was the vote share for the SNP in the 2011 elections compared to their regional votes?
SNP won 16 out of 56 regional seats despite winning 44% of the votes.
123
What was the focus of Labour's social media strategy in April 2024?
To work with influencers on TikTok and Instagram to promote a positive image of Keir Starmer and attract young voters (18-24)
## Footnote
Young people are tech-savvy and the largest proportion of the population in consumption of social media.
124
How many seats did Labour gain in the local elections of 2024?
186 seats (+16%)
## Footnote
This indicates significant local support for Labour.
125
What was the Conservative Party's advertisement strategy in the 2019 general election?
Had 2500 live paid-for adverts on Facebook, while Labour only had 250
## Footnote
This contributed to the Conservatives' electoral success.
126
What was a key factor that led UKIP to influence the 2016 EU Withdrawal Referendum?
Attracted voters in 2015 to support Brexit and pressured Conservatives to take action
## Footnote
UKIP's presence diluted Conservative votes.
127
True or False: Social media serves as an echo chamber for political opinions.
True
## Footnote
It requires skills to attract new opinions to users' pages.
128
What was the outcome of Jeremy Corbyn's Facebook Live interjection during Theresa May's chat?
Received 4 million views
## Footnote
Highlighting the effectiveness of social media engagement.
129
What was the perception of Labour's manifesto in 2019 compared to the Conservative's?
Labour's was too wordy; Conservatives opted for a slim manifesto
## Footnote
This reflects a strategic difference in campaign approaches.
130
What was the key slogan of the Conservative Party during the 2019 election?
'Get Brexit Done'
## Footnote
This slogan was pivotal in breaking the 'Redwall' of Labour safe seats.
131
In the 2017 election, what significant change did Jeremy Corbyn's campaign bring to Labour's support?
Increased from less than 30% to 40% of the vote during the campaign
## Footnote
This was due to optimistic rallies and popular manifesto commitments.
132
Fill in the blank: The 1997 Labour Party campaign was marked by the modernization known as _______.
New Labour
## Footnote
This reflected a shift towards mainstream centrist policies.
133
What was the public trust percentage in the BBC in 2003 compared to 2020?
81% in 2003, 47% in 2020
## Footnote
This indicates a significant decline in trust over time.
134
Who was a notable journalist that worked as a director of communications for Tony Blair?
Allistair Campbell
## Footnote
His background as a political editor influenced communication strategies.
135
What was the primary reason for the Rochdale by-election win by George Galloway in 2024?
Used the media to promote pro-Palestine views and appeal to Muslim voters
## Footnote
This illustrates the influence of media in local elections.
136
What was the result of the 2010 leaders' debate in terms of viewership?
Watched by 10 million viewers
## Footnote
This highlights the media's role in shaping political opinions.
137
True or False: Campaigns have no significant impact on voter decision-making.
False
## Footnote
Campaigns can challenge existing attitudes, especially in tight races.
138
What was the outcome of the 1987 Labour campaign compared to Margaret Thatcher's dominance?
Hardly dented Thatcher's political domination; she returned to government with a 102-seat majority
## Footnote
This suggests the limits of campaign effectiveness against strong incumbents.
139
What did the 2015 election survey reveal about television's influence on opinion formation?
62% of people cited television as the strongest influence
## Footnote
This emphasizes the enduring impact of broadcast media.
