Extra-Party leaders

Question 1

How was the leadership of the British PM described by US writer Ranney?

Answer 1

as ‘one of autocracy tempered by advice and information’

Question 2

What is the 1922 committee?

Answer 2

this is the collective name for all back bench Conservative members

Question 3

What two examples suggest that PM’s are not secure?

Answer 3

the challenge to Margret Thatcher in 19889 and forced resignation in 1990.
John Major who was challenged in 1995

Question 4

What are examples in the Conservative party which reflect that leaders are not secure? (3)

Answer 4

William hague following the 2001 defeat

• the defeat of Iain Duncan Smith who never had the opportunity who never had the opportunity to lead the party to an election.
• Michael Howard after defeat of the 2005 general election

Question 5

What did the 1918 Constitution (labour party) do in regards to leadership?

Answer 5

it imposed restrictions on the power of the leaders to ensure his subservience to the party in parliament and to the mass organisation outside

Question 6

When in opposition what must the labour leader attend?

Answer 6

back bench meetings of the parliamentary labour party (PLP)

Question 7

Who did the dominance of leadership begin under?

Answer 7

Neil Kinnock

Question 8

Why did many lament Blair’s centralisation of power?

Answer 8

as he became more out of touch with grass roots members

Question 9

Since 1945 the Conservatives have had how many different leaders?

Answer 9

12

Question 10

Since 1945 how many leaders have Labour had?

Answer 10

11

Question 11

What year did Tony Blair announce that he would not fight a fourth general election as Labour leader?

Answer 11

2004

Question 12

What year did Labour reform its selection process?

Answer 12

1981

Question 13

How have both Labour and Conservatives reformed its party leader selection process?

Answer 13

the membership now has a say in the choice

Question 14

Under who’s leadership did the Conservative party leader selection process get reformed?

Answer 14

William Hague

Question 15

When can a sitting leading be challenged in the Conservative party?

Answer 15

When 15% of the parliamentary party express no confidence in the leader

Question 16

What is 15% of the parliamentary party in terms of number of MP’s?

Answer 16

25 MP’s

Question 17

What would the 25 MP’s (15%) of the parliamentary party have to do when challenging a sitting leader?

Answer 17

They must sign an open letter to the chairman of the back bench 1922 Committee

Question 18

What does the leader need to win in a secret ballot on a motion of confidence in his leadership?

Answer 18

50% + 1

Question 19

What happens when a vacancy occurs because of the resignation or death of the incumbent?

Answer 19

Then the parliamentary party moves straight into a series of ballots of MPs

Question 20

What happened in 2003 after Iain Duncan Smith failed to secure enough votes in a leadership challenge?

Answer 20

there was no contest, Michael Howard was the undisputed candidate for the job

Question 21

What system does Labour use when electing party leaders?

Answer 21

They use the electoral college

Question 22

What is the Electoral College?

Answer 22

this is a party mechanism for election someone to an office, its members being selected or elected to represent different parts of the party

Question 23

How does Labour’s electoral college work?

Answer 23

it includes a 33% share for each of the parliamentary labour party, the party members and the trade unions

Question 24

What % of Labour MP’s need to back those MP’s who wish to become party leader where there is a vacancy?

Answer 24

12.5%

Question 25

What % of Labour MP’s need to back those MP’s who wish to become party leader when there is a challenge to a sitting leader?

Answer 25

20%

Question 26

To be elected what does the candidate need? (labour)

Answer 26

they need an absolute majority of the votes cast

Question 27

What are voters asked in order to avoid repeating balloting in the event that a majority is not found, labour?

Answer 27

voters are asked to express second and third preferences

Question 28

What % of the vote did Tony Blair win in 1994 when elected as leader?

Answer 28

57%

Question 29

What year was Gordon Brown unopposed for the leadership of labour?

Answer 29

2007

Question 30

How many nominations does a Labour MP need to become party leader?

Answer 30

42 nominations

Question 31

How many votes was Neil Kinnock able to cast in 1994?

Answer 31

7 votes

Question 32

How was Neil Kinnock able to cast 7 votes in 1994?

Answer 32

this is because he belonged to more than one union or socialist society as well as a local association in the constituency where he resided