UK Politics (mock questions)

Question 1

Which is not a traditional feature of the Westminster Model?

Answer 1

Judicial review

Question 2

Which constitutional reform was blocked in Parliament as a result of tensions within the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition gov (2010-2015)?

Answer 2

House of Lords reform

Question 3

Which constitutional reform act led to the creation of the Electoral Commission?

Answer 3

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000)

Question 4

Which modern development has contributed to distrust and disaffection in UK politics by reducing the accountability of governmental decision making?

Answer 4

Depoliticisation

Question 5

What is an example of a supply-side explanation for rising distrust and disaffection in UK politics?

Answer 5

UK’s political class remain conditioned by the BPT, and therefore perpetuate an outdated and elitist political system

Question 6

What best describes the causes of declining electoral participation since 1992?

Answer 6

Decline in the belief that voting is a civic duty

Question 7

What following criticism of post-war ‘One Nation Conservatism’ were made by Thatcherite critics within the Conservative Party during the 1970s?

Answer 7

Too consensual and collectivist

Question 8

What supports the view that the UK has not actually had a properly functioning two-party system since 1979?

Answer 8

There have been long periods of alternating ‘predominance’ in gov by the Tories and Labour

Question 9

Which party benefited the most of term of over-representation in the 2015 General Election?

Answer 9

SNP

Question 10

What argument best supports the party leadership model of voting behaviour?

Answer 10

Increasing ‘personalisation’ of UK politics

Question 11

What prevents a party leader from becoming PM?

Answer 11

They have not been officially appointed by the head of state

Question 12

What power is not currently held by a British PM?

Answer 12

The ability to call a general election without the consent of Parliament

Question 13

What development provides the most significant constraint on a UK PM’s powers of patronage?

Answer 13

The popularity and rising media profile of powerful rivals in Cabinet

Question 14

What type of ‘policy fiasco’ does the following definition describe?
“Policy dominated by one set of interests, but excluding the public interest”

Answer 14

Capture

Question 15

What development is most associated with a reduction in the uniformity of policy implementation?

Answer 15

Devolution

Question 16

What parliamentary debate in the HoC takes place at the end of the day, and provides an opportunity for backbench MPs to raise constituency issues with ministers?

Answer 16

Adjournment debates

Question 17

During which part of the legislative process is there an opportunity for MPs to propose amendments in the HoC chamber?

Answer 17

Report Stage

Question 18

What is false in relation to the Speaker of the HoC?

Answer 18

The Speaker is appointed by an independent appointments panel

Question 19

What was the main difference between the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament when they were originally created by the Government of Wales Act (1998) and the Scotland Act (1998)?

Answer 19

The Welsh Assembly only had secondary legislative powers