Government and elections

What kind of political system does the UK have?

✓ A parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

The two Houses of the UK Parliament are the House of Commons and which other?

✓ The House of Lords

Members of the House of Commons are known as what?

✓ MPs (Members of Parliament)

How are members of the House of Commons chosen?

✓ They are elected by the public

How often must a general election be held, at the latest?

✓ At least every five years

The voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons is known as what?

✓ First past the post

Who normally becomes Prime Minister after a general election?

✓ The leader of the party that wins the most seats

Who is the head of state of the UK?

✓ The monarch

What is the official residence of the Prime Minister?

✓ 10 Downing Street

The group of senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister to run government departments is called the what?

✓ The Cabinet

The largest party that is not in government is known as what?

✓ The Opposition

Who keeps order during debates in the House of Commons?

✓ The Speaker

Members of the House of Lords are commonly known as what?

✓ Peers

What is the role of the civil service?

✓ To support the government in developing and delivering its policies, while staying politically neutral

The Scottish Parliament meets in which building/area of Edinburgh?

✓ Holyrood

The Northern Ireland Assembly is based at which location?

✓ Stormont

What is 'devolution'?

✓ The transfer of certain powers from central government to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

At what age can you vote in a UK general election (in most of the UK)?

✓ 18

In order to vote in an election, what must you first do?

✓ Register on the electoral register

Is the statement TRUE or FALSE? 'Voting in UK elections is done by secret ballot.'

✓ True

The Commonwealth is an association of countries, most of which were once part of what?

✓ The British Empire

Which of these organisations is the UK NOT a current member of?

✓ The European Union

What does the monarch do at the State Opening of Parliament?

✓ Sets out the government's plans in a speech

How many constituencies elect MPs to the House of Commons?

✓ 650

Which official is appointed to manage business in the House of Commons and is politically neutral?

✓ The Speaker

Members of the public can attend debates in Parliament by visiting which area?

✓ The public galleries

Which of the following is a role of an MP?

✓ Representing the interests of their constituents

Who appoints life peers to the House of Lords?

✓ The monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister

Is the statement TRUE or FALSE? 'The monarch is politically neutral and does not take sides in party politics.'

✓ True

Local services such as rubbish collection and local roads are usually run by which body?

✓ Local councils (local government)

What is a by-election?

✓ An election held to fill a single seat that has become vacant

What does the 'Opposition' do in Parliament?

✓ Challenge and scrutinise the work of the government

Which body advises the monarch and includes senior politicians?

✓ The Privy Council

Who formally appoints the Prime Minister?

✓ The monarch

Is the statement TRUE or FALSE? 'The UK does not have a single written constitution in one document.'

✓ True