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U.K. Government Trivia

U.K. Government Trivia Quizzes

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Here you'll find quizzes about prime ministers, Parliament, and other facets of the government of the United Kingdom.
98 U.K. Government quizzes and 1,372 U.K. Government trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
1.
  Who's Left?   best quiz  
Collection Quiz
 15 Qns
Leaders of the UK Labour Party
The post of Leader of the Labour Party was established in 1922 following a strong UK general election performance that year for the party of the centre left. From this list, select those who have held the post in its first 100 years.
Average, 15 Qns, Snowman, Jan 01 24
Average
Snowman gold member
Jan 01 24
220 plays
2.
UK General Elections 2010 and 2015
  UK General Elections: 2010 and 2015   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz takes a look at the results of the UK General Elections held in 2010 and 2015 through the medium of pictures. Enjoy!
Easier, 10 Qns, jonnowales, Aug 04 15
Easier
jonnowales gold member
415 plays
3.
  Nursery Rhyme UK Government   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
To meet a challenge laid down by bernie73, this quiz will have ten questions on aspects of British government inspired by, and (loosely) based on the nursery rhyme 'One, two, buckle my shoe'.
Easier, 10 Qns, rossian, Oct 16 21
Easier
rossian editor
Oct 16 21
324 plays
4.
  The Churchill Perspective: World Leaders   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Winston Churchill expressed many strong opinions regarding the public figures of his own time. I will supply a fact about an historical figure and a quote about the person from Winston Churchill, which should allow you to identify him or her.
Average, 10 Qns, uglybird, Aug 01 22
Average
uglybird
Aug 01 22
3527 plays
5.
  Traditions of the UK Houses of Parliament editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The UK Houses of Parliament have existed for hundreds of years and their workings are steeped in tradition. This Quiz deals with some of the odder features of their proceedings!
Easier, 10 Qns, Southendboy, Jan 01 21
Easier
Southendboy gold member
Jan 01 21
654 plays
6.
  Belfast: A 'Who's Who?' of the 'Troubles'   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A brief look at some of the key 'players' associated with the political conflict in Ireland's second city since the 1960s (and maybe a little while before). Not for the squeamish!
Average, 10 Qns, dsimpy, Jun 28 21
Average
dsimpy
Jun 28 21
466 plays
7.
  The United Kingdom Explained   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The challenge is to figure out how the United Kingdom, its four constituent countries, its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, and the broader British Commonwealth fit together as a geo-political whole.
Average, 10 Qns, reedy, Jun 10 20
Average
reedy gold member
Jun 10 20
416 plays
8.
  Brexit Britain: The First Cabinet   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How much do you know about the first Cabinet of the British government to include a post called "Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union"?
Average, 10 Qns, Fifiona81, Apr 24 17
Average
Fifiona81 editor
1302 plays
9.
  So Long   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you match the whos, whys and whats associated with saying "so long" to these British politicians, most of whom retired prematurely from their positions for personal or other reasons.
Easier, 10 Qns, JJMcGiver, May 30 23
Easier
JJMcGiver
May 30 23
518 plays
10.
  They Did Nothing Wrong   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
UK MPs can claim for expenses incurred whilst performing their duties. In 2009 some of these claims were published, ranging from the laughably cheap through the absurdly expensive to the utterly bizarre - but none of them broke rules, or so they claim!
Average, 10 Qns, Snowman, Jul 09 09
Average
Snowman gold member
1006 plays
trivia question Quick Question
'Five, six': Anthony Eden was Prime Minister from 1955 until 1957. Which major event cost him his credibility and his position?

From Quiz "Nursery Rhyme UK Government"




11.
  Deep Cuts - the 2010 Coalition Government   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The 2010 election saw no party with overall control of the British Parliament, leading to a rare peacetime coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Which members of the government, who made deep cuts to public spending, can you remember
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Nov 12 13
Average
rossian editor
285 plays
12.
  Politics UK    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A variety of questions about the workings of the political system in the UK.
Easier, 10 Qns, fmcculloch, Mar 22 20
Easier
fmcculloch
Mar 22 20
3771 plays
13.
  Sheep in Politics   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All the people in this quiz have a connection to both politics and our woolly friends. Note that most, although not all, of them are from the UK.
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Dec 23 15
Average
rossian editor
834 plays
14.
  2017 UK General Election   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The June 2017 UK general election threw up a few surprises. See what you can remember from a night of swings, holds, and more than a few tears. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, pagea, Jun 14 17
Average
pagea
Jun 14 17
289 plays
15.
  The Brexit Battle    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A momentous decision was taken by the British people when they voted to leave the European Union. How much do you remember about this historic event, colloquially known as "Brexit"?
Average, 10 Qns, 480154st, Nov 30 18
Average
480154st gold member
Nov 30 18
260 plays
16.
  The Government of the UK: House of Lords   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
After centuries of evolution and reform, the House of Lords remains an important non-elected component of the government of the UK. How well do you understand its history and function?
Tough, 10 Qns, uglybird, Jul 28 05
Tough
uglybird
625 plays
17.
  The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Government of Boris Johnson
In 2019, the Conservative Party won the UK General Election with an 80-seat majority, and Boris Johnson became the UK Prime Minister. However, not everything went smoothly for him and his Ministers. Can you answer these questions about some of them?
Average, 10 Qns, Red_John, Dec 18 22
Average
Red_John
Dec 18 22
174 plays
18.
  Help! I'm Locked Out of the House!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The doors of the House of Commons are locked to all kinds of people - some are barred from entering, some make it inside but leave (by choice or under a cloud). Find out more by taking this quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, bucknallbabe, Aug 20 09
Average
bucknallbabe gold member
686 plays
19.
  Female Political Leaders of the UK    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Welcome to this quiz about past and present female UK political leaders. Match the leader and her political party or office.
Easier, 10 Qns, KentQuizzer, Apr 12 18
Easier
KentQuizzer gold member
Apr 12 18
406 plays
20.
  Oliver Cromwell    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War.
Difficult, 15 Qns, deadmeat, Jun 20 05
Difficult
deadmeat
1560 plays
21.
  The Government of the United Kingdom: The Monarchy   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Over centuries, royal power and prerogatives have declined. Test your knowledge of the role of the monarchy in the government of the United Kingdom in the 21st century.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Uglybird, Oct 02 21
Difficult
Uglybird
Oct 02 21
1383 plays
22.
  British Politics for Foreigners    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions on British politics and government. Mainly for Americans and Australian.
Average, 10 Qns, Bretton, Jan 12 18
Average
Bretton
Jan 12 18
2102 plays
23.
  'Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regis'...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Often mistaken for Yeomen Warders, the Yeomen of the Guard are a royal bodyguard in their own right. This quiz looks at one of the United Kingdom's oldest and finest ceremonial institutions.
Average, 10 Qns, SisterSeagull, Nov 17 14
Average
SisterSeagull gold member
164 plays
24.
  After the Party    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Founded in 1920, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) disbanded in 1991. The people in this quiz either joined and then left the Party, or grew up in Communist families.
Average, 10 Qns, dellastreet, Sep 28 21
Average
dellastreet gold member
Sep 28 21
129 plays
25.
  UK Politicians After 1721    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz tests your knowledge of UK politicians after 1721. No kings or queens. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, Rehaberpro, Aug 12 21
Average
Rehaberpro
Aug 12 21
374 plays
26.
  The Genesis of the Whig Party    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
And the assorted butterflies that appeared in British politics as the Whigs metamorphosed into the Liberal Democrats.
Average, 15 Qns, Englizzie, May 31 10
Average
Englizzie
190 plays
27.
  The Monster Raving Loony Party   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Monster Raving Loony Party has been a tradition in British politics since 1963. Let us see how loony you are by answering these questions on their manifesto proposals, both past and present.
Tough, 10 Qns, Plodd, Sep 11 10
Tough
Plodd
269 plays
28.
  UK Politicians' Nicknames    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Love them or hate them, politicians have their nicknames. See which UK statesmen and women you recognise
Average, 10 Qns, bridget3, Feb 20 10
Average
bridget3
2003 plays
29.
  The Scottish Parliament    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The first election to the new Scottish Parliament took place in September 1999. The following quiz asks general questions about the Parliament. There are also a few questions about the people and events in the first term of the Parliament.
Average, 15 Qns, Roslyn, May 19 17
Average
Roslyn
592 plays
30.
  Women in British Politics   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For many centuries, Politics in the UK (as elsewhere) were dominated entirely by men. This quiz is about some of the women who have carved out Parliamentary careers since 1918.
Tough, 10 Qns, talbotbruno, Sep 08 07
Tough
talbotbruno
783 plays
31.
  General British Politics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on some of the basics of British politics.
Average, 10 Qns, slickrik000, Aug 03 16
Average
slickrik000
962 plays
32.
  Shaftesbury - The Poor Man's Earl    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Social reformer, aristocrat, evangelist, politician. It was hard to know how to categorise Shaftesbury. I hope you enjoy learning about him, and are inspired by the story of this great man.
Tough, 15 Qns, teadrinker, Jun 20 05
Tough
teadrinker
243 plays
33.
  The 1987 British General Election    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Questions on the 1987 British General Election.
Average, 15 Qns, Mullaney, Jan 30 14
Average
Mullaney
576 plays
34.
  British Politics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some people think that politics is boring, but it's a subject I love. This quiz tests your knowledge of British Politics in recent times - some of it is hard, and some is really easy so have a go - you should at least get some answers right!
Average, 10 Qns, fay_mc, Dec 26 20
Average
fay_mc
Dec 26 20
1757 plays
35.
  Lord Palmerston    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, controlled or directed British foreign policy for a great deal of the 19th Century. If you didn't know that, then I don't fancy your chances with this quiz about him.
Tough, 10 Qns, Mugaboo, Nov 25 20
Tough
Mugaboo gold member
Nov 25 20
294 plays
36.
  British MPs (2002)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I will name a British MP who was active in 2002, and you should select the name of the party to which he or she belonged. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, Matve, Jan 27 22
Average
Matve
Jan 27 22
761 plays
37.
  The Blair Government    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you clues about senior members of the Blair government since 1997, and you tell me who the individuals are.
Average, 10 Qns, slickrik000, Dec 10 07
Average
slickrik000
1108 plays
38.
  Northern Ireland Political Quotations    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some policitians spoke too much on Northern Ireland; others spoke too little. Can you remembers some of the more famous political sayings, slogans and quotations from here in recent years?
Tough, 10 Qns, btpriest, Jul 25 13
Tough
btpriest
545 plays
39.
  The UK General Election 2001    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The UK had a General Election on June 7th 2001. Here are a few questions on the results of the election and the soundbites of the campaign. Note: all information for this quiz was taken from www.bbc.co.uk and also from BBC election broadcasts.
Average, 10 Qns, froomie, Jul 18 12
Average
froomie
894 plays
40.
  UK Parliament    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All questions refer to the practices and principles of the British Parliament.
Difficult, 10 Qns, flytecontrol, Mar 18 13
Difficult
flytecontrol
479 plays
41.
  Who is Left?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about British politicians and whether they were right wing or left wing. I will give a selection of politicians who all held the same post, and you need to pick out which one is or was a left wing (Labour) politician.
Average, 10 Qns, al99, Aug 16 16
Average
al99
239 plays
42.
  Britain and the European Union    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The European Union is heavily, indeed obsessively, reported and misreported in the UK media. The impact of the EU on the United Kingdom is a great matter of debate. A short quiz to see what you really know about this subject.
Average, 10 Qns, rialto88, Jun 14 21
Average
rialto88
Jun 14 21
750 plays
43.
  Defectors    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about British Members of Parliament who have defected to other Parties.
Tough, 10 Qns, Mullaney, Feb 14 04
Tough
Mullaney
374 plays
44.
  Northern Ireland Politics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Recent political developments will hopefully ensure a sustained peace in Northern Ireland. How much do you know about the progress the politicians are creating?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, btpriest, Nov 30 07
Very Difficult
btpriest
694 plays
45.
  2003 Scottish Parliament Elections    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a quiz on the 2003 elections to the Scottish Parliament.
Average, 15 Qns, peledavid16, May 09 03
Average
peledavid16
391 plays
46.
  Scottish Local Government    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This may be a little tough if you are not familiar with Scottish politics, but give it a go anyway!
Average, 10 Qns, jeanius, Jun 30 23
Average
jeanius
Jun 30 23
330 plays
47.
  Modern British Politics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a pretty easy quiz, with questions up to June 2003.
Tough, 10 Qns, forrestlover, Oct 03 21
Tough
forrestlover
Oct 03 21
920 plays

U.K. Government Trivia Questions

1. When Dominic Raab occupied the post of 'Brexit' Secretary, he once expressed surprise at the importance of which commercial port to the UK's trade with the European Union?

From Quiz
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Answer: Dover

Dominic Raab first entered Parliament in 2010. First entering government as a junior minister in 2015, he was first appointed to the cabinet in 2018 when he was appointed as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, aka "Brexit" Secretary, by Theresa May. In this role, he was the senior member of the government responsible for negotiating the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU. Part of the agreement was to ensure the maintenance of trade between the UK and the EU, of which a major trade artery was the sea route between Dover and Calais. In November 2018 however, Raab, speaking at a tech conference, stated that he hadn't been aware how reliant the UK was on this corridor for trade in goods. A few days after this appearance, Raab resigned as the "Brexit" Secretary in protest at the government's position over the Withdrawal Agreement. In 2019, following Boris Johnson's ascension to the Premiership, Raab was appointed as Foreign Secretary, a role in which he remained until 2021, before, following his actions during the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, he was moved to the role of Lord Chancellor.

2. 'One, two': Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female Prime Minister. Who was the second?

From Quiz Nursery Rhyme UK Government

Answer: Theresa May

Theresa May took over as Prime Minister in July 2016 following David Cameron's resignation, brought about mainly because of Brexit. In many ways, May had inherited a poisoned chalice with Britain divided into two camps - for and against leaving the European Union. Negotiations with Europe were difficult, to say the least, and an attempt to increase her authority by holding an early general election in April 2017 made matters worse, leading to a hung parliament, with the Conservatives having to call on minority parties for support. May resigned in 2019, with Boris Johnson succeeding her as Prime Minister.

3. In the 1930s the Soviet Union portrayed itself as a workers' paradise. William Campbell, unemployed member of a Communist family, sailed to Leningrad to see if this was true. Which funny job did he eventually find?

From Quiz After the Party

Answer: Circus clown

Once William, stepson of Johnny Campbell, a founder member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, arrived in the USSR he was forced to hand over his passport and was therefore unable to leave. Initially employed in an aircraft factory, his theatrical talents led eventually to his touring the Soviet Union as a circus clown. In 1977 he managed to defect to Britain. His 1981 memoir "Villi the Clown" gives a revealing account of his life in the Soviet Union, where he witnessed among other things Ukrainian famine and rampant official corruption.

4. Sometimes in their debates, Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons refer to debates or discussions that have taken place in "another place" or "the other place". What is this "other place"?

From Quiz Traditions of the UK Houses of Parliament

Answer: The House of Lords

MP's use the euphemism "another place" to refer to the House of Lords, and indeed this usage is found in many two-house legislative assemblies such as those of Canada and Australia. Its origins are uncertain, possibly going back to one of the many periods of ill-feeling between the two Houses. However it's notable that pupils at the English public schools Eton and Harrow (where many UK politicians were educated) use this phrase when referring to each other's school, and students at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (again, where many UK politicians were educated) do the same.

5. Who was UK Prime Minister when the Brexit Referendum was held on Thursday 23 June, 2016?

From Quiz The Brexit Battle

Answer: David Cameron

During the first decade of the 21st century, pressure began to mount for the UK to hold a formal referendum on its continued membership of the European Union. Eventually, the Conservative Party led by David Cameron promised to instigate this if it won the 2015 General Election. It did win, and Cameron was obliged to fulfill his promise. The day after the results of the vote were announced, Cameron announced his decision to step down as PM, giving as his reason the fact that having campaigned for a "Remain" vote, he felt unable to continue, and that the country needed a leader with the same convictions as the "Leave" voting majority of the country.

6. The 2015 UK general election gave the Conservative Party just over 50% of the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Who was the party leader that decided to call another election in the hopes of increasing her majority?

From Quiz 2017 UK General Election

Answer: Theresa May

The leader of the Conservative Party going into the 2015 general election was David Cameron, the MP for Witney in Oxfordshire. The Conservatives won 331 of the 650 constituencies, just over the value of 326 required to carry a majority. A majority is seen as important in the House of Commons as it gives the government the power to vote through new legislation without having to rely on the votes from other parties. In 2016, the UK voted to exit the European Union and David Cameron resigned. After a lengthy leadership battle within the Conservative Party, Theresa May, the MP for Maidenhead in Berkshire, emerged as the new leader of both the party and the country. In 2017 she called for a new general election in an attempt to increase her majority in the House of Commons and gain a mandate for her own premiership.

7. Who was the first person appointed to the post of Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union?

From Quiz Brexit Britain: The First Cabinet

Answer: David Davis

Following the outcome of the June 2016 referendum that saw Britons vote to leave the EU, the Prime Minister David Cameron tendered his resignation and the Conservative Party began a hunt for a new leader. Theresa May was appointed in July 2016 and quickly appointed David Davis - himself a former candidate for the party leadership - to the important new role of the member of the government responsible for negotiating and managing Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. Davis also gained responsibility for a new government department - commonly referred to by the somewhat unwieldy abbreviation of DExEU.

8. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the financial affairs of the government. Who was appointed to the role in 2010?

From Quiz Deep Cuts - the 2010 Coalition Government

Answer: George Osborne

Osborne had been Shadow Chancellor since 2005, while the Labour party had been in power and was given the role in Prime Minister David Cameron's first cabinet. As the man responsible for setting the budget, Osborne was blamed for many of the spending reductions. His situation was not helped as he was born into an aristocratic family and is heir to the Osborne baronetcy. He was originally named Gideon, but changed his name to George in his early teens.

9. Which office constitutes the highest authority in the House of Commons?

From Quiz UK Parliament

Answer: Speaker of the House

The Prime Minister is the highest-ranking member of the executive, but not the chief authority in the House of Commons.

10. In May 2010 Norman Lamb became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Nick Clegg. To which political party did both men belong?

From Quiz Sheep in Politics

Answer: Liberal Democrat

The General Election held in the UK in 2010 resulted in a 'hung' parliament, with no party having won the 326 seats needed to have an overall majority. The Conservative Party had 306 seats and negotiated with the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition. David Cameron of the Conservative Party became Prime Minister with Nick Clegg as his deputy. Norman Lamb became MP for North Norfolk in 2001. His role is to act as an adviser to Nick Clegg and to liaise between him and the backbenchers in the House of Commons. A lamb is, of course, a young sheep.

11. This American wrote seventeen novels in the first two decades of the twentieth century. What name does he share with one of the most renowned UK Prime Ministers?

From Quiz UK Politicians After 1721

Answer: Winston Churchill

The British Churchill worked as a journalist during the same time period which led to confusion. The British Churchill said he would use his middle initial S for Spencer to differentiate. They met a few times in their careers. The American Churchill quit writing in 1919 and did not publish another novel until 1949, although he did adaptations of his novels for the stage and some non-fiction. The British Churchill published only one novel and 71 journalistic or historical works.

12. Monster Raving Loony Party Manifesto - THE ECONOMY To boost the economy in Britain, what did the Loony Party suggest to make shopping more fun?

From Quiz The Monster Raving Loony Party

Answer: Wearing a squeaky red clown nose and green wig

Another item on the manifesto that came under the heading of the economy was to buy shares in Blackpool rock and sell any shares in Northern Rock. It was also suggested that socks were sold in packs of three in the event of losing one.

13. An iconic figure in Irish Republican history, who was this Belfast man who spent nearly all his adult life in jail, was elected as an MP to the British Parliament, and died in 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike for political status?

From Quiz Belfast: A 'Who's Who?' of the 'Troubles'

Answer: Bobby Sands

Bobby Sands joined the IRA in 1972 at the age of 18, was imprisoned later that year, and spent only 6 months of freedom before his rearrest for possession of a weapon in 1976. In 1981, he led Republican prisoners in Long Kesh prison on hunger strike for political status. Three weeks before his death on May 5th 1981, after 66 days without food, he won the Fermanagh-South Tyrone by-election and became a Member of Parliament 'in absentia'. He wrote movingly of his experience as a prisoner and on his hunger strike, in 'Prison Poems', his autobigraphical 'One Day in My Life', and in a prison diary. He was the first of ten Republican prisoners to die during the 1981 prison protest. Over 100,000 turned out for his funeral. The other men were also Republicans in a long tradition of Irish hunger strike protests: Terence MacSwiney died on hunger strike in 1920, Michael Gaughan in 1974, and Frank Stagg in 1976.

14. The House of Commons is not actually a physical building but refers to the elected body of the United Kingdom Parliament. Where does it meet?

From Quiz Help! I'm Locked Out of the House!

Answer: Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster is the official name of the building on the north bank of the Thames where both Houses of Parliament (Commons and Lords) meet. It has some 1100 rooms on four floors, linked by approximately three miles of corridors and 100 staircases. The meeting chamber of the House of Commons is on the second floor at the northern end. The Palace has several towers, the most famous of which is the Clock Tower (popularly referred to as Big Ben) in the north east corner. 10 Downing Street is the residence of the Prime Minister; The Mansion House is the base for the Lord Mayor of the City of London, an annually-elected ambassador for the financial institutions of the "City"; City Hall is a striking modern building on the south bank of the Thames and houses the Mayor of (Greater) London, the Greater London Authority and the London Assembly.

15. She didn't break the rules, but Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was the first MP up for public ridicule thanks to hubby mistakenly charging the taxpayer for what?

From Quiz They Did Nothing Wrong

Answer: A pay-per-view blue movie

It was said that the expenses scandal showed that democracy in the United Kingdom was in a fairly healthy state as something of this nature still had the power to shock the populace, but no-one was more shocked than Richard Timney, husband to Jacqui Smith, who had to go in front of the nation's media and confess that he had watched two pornographic films whilst his wife was away in London on parliamentary business. The charge of ten pounds for the two films was made alongside a legitimate claim for television subscription charges on their constituency home and was revealed in March 2009 by a Sunday newspaper. A further revelation was published involving her sister's London home that Smith claimed as her main home. Smith stood down from her government position in June 2009 in order to spend more time with her family.

16. Who became the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons in 1918?

From Quiz Women in British Politics

Answer: Countess Constance Markiewicz

Countess Markiewicz was one of 73 Sinn Fein members elected to represent constituencies in Ireland, which was then under British Rule. Since taking up one's seat would mean pledging allegiance to the Crown, none of them did so. Instead, they formed the first Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament), and the Countess was made Minister for Labour(1919-22) becoming the first women cabinet minister anywhere in Europe. Nancy Astor fought and won her husbands seat in a 1919 by-election after he was elevated to the House of Lords following the death of his father.

17. The House of Lords came into being as a result of commoners being included in Parliament and the desire for the deliberations of commoners and nobles to be separate. Who first invited the participation of commoners in Parliament?

From Quiz The Government of the UK: House of Lords

Answer: Simon de Montfort

After his accession to the English throne, William the Conqueror instituted the Curia Regis, an advisory council of Earls, Barons, Bishops and Abbots. John I was forced to sign The Magna Carta, among whose provisions required that the King summon the council to approve new taxation. Henry the Third's proclivity to appoint foreigners as ministers and custodians of English castles fueled the ire of the nobles and led directly to the Barons imposing The Provisions of Oxford upon the King. These provisions established a Baronial council with the authority to make the appointments the King previously made. Every three years the larger body, the Parliament, was to scrutinize the actions of the council. Significantly, during the ensuing civil war, Simon de Montfort extended representation in Parliament to groups beyond the nobility.

18. Since I decided to list this quiz in the 'Politicians and Leaders' category, I suppose I should start with a question about Shaftesbury's politics. Of which political party was this radical reformer a member?

From Quiz Shaftesbury - The Poor Man's Earl

Answer: The Conservative Party

The Conservative Party is generally considered to be the least open to social reformation (the clue is in the name), yet not only did they maintain Shaftesbury, who was a proto-socialist, they also managed to provide Britain with its first Jewish Prime Minister (Disraeli), and its first female Prime Minister (Thatcher). However, it should be noted that for all his reforming zeal, Shaftesbury did not want to overthrow the class system, and probably would not have approved of anyone who did. At its best, the English class system involves everyone helping everyone else above and below them, but everyone knowing their place. So it was a mixture of this system combined with a Christian brotherhood of all believers that motivated his ideals.

19. This Secretary of State was born in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, and has held two senior Cabinet positions.

From Quiz The Blair Government

Answer: Jack Straw

Jack Straw was elected to the constituency of Blackburn in 1979. He was Home Secretary from 1997-2001. After the 2001 general election victory he became Foreign Secretary and still held the position in April 2004.

20. How many MPs did the House of Commons have as at April 2004?

From Quiz General British Politics

Answer: 659

Labour held about 408 seats, Conservatives 163 and the Lib Dems about 54, the other seats were held by nationalist parties such as the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein. (The total number of seats can change when the boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies are changed, something that happens every 10-12 years).

21. How many local councils are there in Scotland?

From Quiz Scottish Local Government

Answer: 32

These all vary greatly in terms of size, population and tax base.

22. Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams were the "Gang of Four" former Labour Cabinet Ministers who formed the SDP in 1981. But only two of them were Labour MPs at the time of their defection. Which two?

From Quiz Defectors

Answer: Owen and Rodgers

David Owen was MP for Plymouth Devonport at the time of his defection to the SDP. Bill Rodgers was MP for Stockton. Shirley Williams had been defeated at Hertford and Stevenage in 1979. Jenkins had resigned his Birmingham Stetchford seat in the 1970s to become President of the European Commission.

23. Which party won the 1987 General Election?

From Quiz The 1987 British General Election

Answer: Conservative

The Conservatives won their third general election in a row in 1987, having previously won in 1979 and 1983.

24. Where did Palmerston grow up?

From Quiz Lord Palmerston

Answer: Broadlands near Romsey

Palmerston was born on the 20th October 1784. His father, Henry the 2nd Viscount died in 1802 and his mother, Mary Mee of Bath, died in 1805. He spent five years on a tour of Europe with an Italian tutor called Ravizzotti, before going on to Harrow school. He was also educated in Edinburgh and Cambridge University.

25. Clare Short resigned after finding Blair a "control freak" in 2003. But what was her Ministerial post?

From Quiz Modern British Politics

Answer: International Development Secretary

Clare Short was always seen as a thorn in Blair's flesh.

26. What date did the 2003 Scottish Parliament Election (SPE) take place?

From Quiz 2003 Scottish Parliament Elections

Answer: May 1

The second SPE took place on Thursday the first of May 2003, this was the second election to the Scottish Parliament, as revived in 1999. (The original Scottish Parliament voted itself out of existence in 1707 when it passed the Act of Union with England to form Great Britain).

27. 1.In 1968, as the Troubles were starting, the Northern Ireland Prime Minister, Captain Terrence O'Neill, went on television to caution people to what was developing. How did he describe the situation the Province was finding itself in?

From Quiz Northern Ireland Political Quotations

Answer: Ulster stands at the crossroads.

Captain O'Neill made this famous broadcast in December 1968, as the Civil Right Movements was gaining momentum.

28. On what date in April 1998 was the Good Friday Agreement singed?

From Quiz Northern Ireland Politics

Answer: 10 &10th & tenth

10 April 1998 was Good Friday! The Agreement was ratified by referenda on both sides of the Irish border on 22 May 1998.

29. Of which UK political party was Michael Fabricant a member?

From Quiz British MPs (2002)

Answer: Conservative

The MP for Lichfield, in Staffordshire. He wears an amusing blond wig.

30. In the UK, every four or five years there is a General Election in which the public vote for a person to represent their local area in parliament. What is this person called?

From Quiz British Politics for Foreigners

Answer: M.P.

MP stands for Member of Parliament. Tony Blair was the MP for Sedgefield, as well as Prime Minister. The PM is the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs in the House of Commons.

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