UK gov't law and your role

Question 1

is the uk consitution written?

Answer 1

no

Question 2

what are the different constitutional institutions? (8)

Answer 2

1. monarch
2. parliament (house of commons and lords)
3. PM
4. Cabinet
5. Judiciary
6. Police
7. civil service
8. LG

Question 3

what is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer 3

king/queen doesn’t rule the country but appoints the gov’t as chosen by the people through. the monarch meets with PM regularly and advises but final decision is with the gov’t and PM

Question 4

since when has Queen Elizabeth II reigned?

Answer 4

1952

Question 5

whats the national anthem?

Answer 5

“God Save the Queen”

God save our gracious queen
long live our noble queen
god save our queen
send her victorious
happy and glorious
long to reign over us
god save our queen

Question 6

difference between oath of allegiance and affirmation of allegiance upon becoming British citizen

Answer 6

Oath refers to Almighty God. Affirmation doesnt.

Question 7

how is gov’t formed?

Answer 7

voters in each constituency vote for a MP. all MPs make the house of commons. The party with greatest number of MPS in the house of commons forms the gov’t.

Question 8

if there isn’t a majority in house of commons what happens?

Answer 8

two parties join together and form the coalition

Question 9

responsibilities of an MP (4)

Answer 9

1. represent their constituency
2. help create new laws
3. scruitisine and comment on what gov’t is doing
4. debate

Question 10

what do house of lords do?

Answer 10

check laws passed by gov’t to ensure it is working in peoples best interest. They can suggest ammendments or propose new laws (house of commons can overrule this decision, but rarely happens)

Question 11

who can be in house of lords?

Answer 11

senior judges, bishops of house of england, life peers (appointed by monarch or advice of PM). house of lords use to be hereditary, but now they can elect someone.

Question 12

who is chief officer of house of commons

Answer 12

the speaker. speaker is voted in by secret ballot and is neutral (although they are still an MP over a particular constituency

Question 13

how often are MPs elected?

Answer 13

at least every 5 years by general election (but can be done earlier)

Question 14

what is first past the post voting system?

Answer 14

candidates that gets the most votes is elected in the constituency

Question 15

where does PM live (2)?

Answer 15

1. 10 downing street in london.

2. country house outside london called Chequers

Question 16

when can PM change?

Answer 16

when governing party decide to do so or after resignation

Question 17

what is cabinet?

Answer 17

a committee made up of senior MPS that were appointed by PM. This include chancellor of exchequer, homes secretary, foreign secretary etc. decisions by cabinet is debated by parliament

Question 18

what is the shadow cabinet?

Answer 18

put together by the opposition party leader. these shadow ministers role is to challenger the government and put forward alternative policies

Question 19

how often is the PM questions?

Answer 19

weekly in parliament

Question 20

what are the main politicial parties?

Answer 20

conservative, labour, liberal democrats, scottish national party, welsh equivalent, NI equivalent, independent

Question 21

what are core values of civil service (4)?

Answer 21

integrity, honesty, objectivity, impartiality

Question 22

whats purpose of devolved administration?

Answer 22

give power to give people in wales, scotland and northern ireland so they can take more control over matters that directly affect them. they can set their own policies on SOME matters without approval from uk parliament

Question 23

what are some (4) areas does national assembly for wales (devolved administration) have power to make laws without the agreement of UK parliament?

Answer 23

21 in total. these 4 for example - education, health and social service, economic development and housing

Question 24

what areas (5) does scottish parliament assembly have power to make laws without the agreement of UK parliament?

Answer 24

Civil and criminal law, health, education, planning, additional tax raising.

Question 25

what areas (5) does northern ireland assembly have power to make decisions?

Answer 25

education, agriculture, environment, health, social services.

Question 26

what is hansard?

Answer 26

proceedings in parliament published in official reports.

Question 27

who can vote?

Answer 27

above 18, uk born or naturalised citizens, registered on electoral register via the council.

Question 28

who can not stand for office (3)?

Answer 28

(1) members of public offie (2) civil servants (3) people found guilty of certain criminal offenses

Question 29

where do nothern ireland member (MLA) meet?

Answer 29

Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, Belfast

Question 30

where do scottish parliament (MSP) meet?

Answer 30

scottish parliament building at Holyrood Edinburgh

Question 31

where do wales members (AMs) meet?

Answer 31

Welsh Assembly at Senedd, Cardiff Bay

Question 32

how many member states are in the common wealth?

Answer 32

54 members

Question 33

whats the purpose of the council of europe?

Answer 33

promotion and protection of human rights in the 47 member countries. hosts the european convention on human rights

Question 34

what is the purpose of UN?

Answer 34

international organisations 190 countries, aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security

Question 35

what is the UN security council?

Answer 35

group of 15 members that recommen actions when there are international crises and threats to peace

Question 36

who investigates criminal law

Answer 36

police, council and are punishable by court

Question 37

what is civil law used for?

Answer 37

to settle disputes between individuals and groups

Question 38

whats job of the police?

Answer 38

protect life and property, prevent disturbance (keep the peace), prevent and detect crime

Question 39

main terrorist threats (2)?

Answer 39

Al Qa’ida and Northern ireland related terrorism

Question 40

who handles minor criminal cases?

Answer 40

Magistrates court (E, W NI) and justice of peace courts (scotland). run by volunteers, qualification not necessary (except NI when a paid district judge or deputy also listens to case)

Question 41

who handles serious criminal offences?

Answer 41

Crown court or Sheriff/High court (scotland) which has a jury.

Question 42

number of jurors in high court case?

Answer 42

12 in E, W, NI. 15 in scotland

Question 43

who handles civil disputes?

Answer 43

country courts (EWNI) or Sheriff court (Scotland)

Question 44

name some principles of the european convention on human rights (7)

Answer 44

1. right to life
2. prohibition of torture
3. prohibition of slavery and forced labour
4. right to liberty and security
5. right to fair trial
6. freedom of thought, conscience and religion
7. freedom of expression

Question 45

what is income tax used for?

Answer 45

gov’t services like roads, eductaion, police and armed forces

Question 46

what is NIC used for?

Answer 46

to pay for state benefits, NHS and retirement pension