1.1.3 - The British Constitution in a Global Context

Question 1

Question 1
When did the UK sign the Treaty of Accession to join the EEC?

Answer 1

January 1972.

Question 2

Question 2
Who was the UK Prime Minister when the UK signed the Treaty of Accession to the EEC?

Answer 2

Edward Heath.

Question 3

Question 3
What Act of Parliament enabled the UK to join the EEC?

Answer 3

The European Communities Act 1972.

Question 4

Question 4
When did the UK officially become a member of the EEC?

Answer 4

1st January 1973.

Question 5

Question 5
What were the founding treaties of the European Economic Community?

Answer 5

• The Treaty establishing the EEC.
• The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

Question 6

Question 6
How was the EU funded during the UK’s membership?

Answer 6

• From gross national income contributions.
• Customs duties.
• Portion of each member’s VAT.

Question 7

Question 7
What was the UK’s contribution to the EU budget in 2018?

Answer 7

£20 billion.

Question 8

Question 8
What was the result of the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership?

Answer 8

• 52% voted to leave.
• 48% voted to remain.

Question 9

Question 9
What legislation governed the UK’s legal transition post-Brexit?

Answer 9

The European Union Withdrawal Act 2018.

Question 10

Question 10
What major changes occurred in UK law after Brexit?

Answer 10

• EU law no longer has primacy; retained EU law became amendable UK law.
• The UK can make independent trade deals.

Question 11

Question 11
When was NATO founded?

Answer 11

4 April 1949.

Question 12

Question 12
How many founding members did NATO have & was the UK one of them?

Answer 12

12 founding members, including the UK.

Question 13

Question 13
What is the significance of Article 5 of the NATO treaty?

Answer 13

An attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all members.

Question 14

Question 14
What was the original purpose of NATO?

Answer 14

To contain Soviet Russia & provide collective security for Western nations.

Question 15

Question 15
What was the Soviet Union’s response to NATO during the Cold War?

Answer 15

The creation of the Warsaw Pact.

Question 16

Question 16
Who is widely seen as the leader of NATO?

Answer 16

The United States.

Question 17

Question 17
What UK company supplies 75% of NATO’s defence technology?

Answer 17

ETL Systems, based in Herefordshire.

Question 18

Question 18
What percentage of its GDP does the UK spend on defence in NATO?

Answer 18

Approximately 2.13%, making it the third largest contributor.

Question 19

Question 19
How did the UK contribute to NATO operations after 9/11?

Answer 19

Supported Article 5 & participated in military operations in Afghanistan.

Question 20

Question 20
What military actions has the UK taken as part of NATO?

Answer 20

Exercises in the Baltic, missile deployments in Turkey - 2012 - & involvement in the Yugoslav wars through bombing & peacekeeping.

Question 21

Question 21
What is the requirement for Defence Spending in NATO?

Answer 21

2%.

Question 22

Question 22
When was the United Nations established & why?

Answer 22

24 October 1945, to replace the League of Nations & prevent another global conflict.

Question 23

Question 23
What role did the UK play in the creation of the UN?

Answer 23

The UK was a founding member & is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Question 24

Question 24
What special power does the UK have as a permanent member of the UN Security Council?

Answer 24

Veto power to block resolutions.

Question 25

Question 25 What is the main function of the UN Security Council?

Answer 25

To maintain international peace & security, respond to threats & promote human rights.

Question 26

Question 26 How many permanent & non-permanent members are there in the UN Security Council?

Answer 26

5 permanent members - UK, USA, France, Russia, China - & 10 rotating non-permanent members.

Question 27

Question 27 How often are non-permanent members of the Security Council elected?

Answer 27

Every two years by the UN General Assembly.

Question 28

Question 28 How many times has the UK used its veto power in the UN?

Answer 28

32 times.

Question 29

Question 29 What was the UK’s most recent use of the UN veto power?

Answer 29

To block a resolution condemning the US invasion of Panama - with France & the US.

Question 30

Question 30 What is the UK's stance on reforming the UN Security Council?

Answer 30

The UK supports enlarging the Council & improving its working methods.

Question 31

Question 31 What is one criticism of the UN Security Council?

Answer 31

Failure to act decisively in Syria, where over 200,000 people died in a civil war.

Question 32

Question 32 What are the UK’s four main contributions to UN peacekeeping?

Answer 32

* Influencing operations via Security Council membership. * Major financial contributor. * Capacity-building for other nations. * Deploying limited UK personnel.

Question 33

Question 33 When did the UK provide the most peacekeepers to the UN & how many?

Answer 33

In mid-1995, over 10,000 peacekeepers - the most from any country.

Question 34

Question 34 What action did the UN take in response to Iran’s nuclear programme?

Answer 34

Enforced economic sanctions in 2010.

Question 35

Question 35 What military action did the UN authorise in Libya in 2011?

Answer 35

Military intervention to protect civilians.

Question 36

Question 36 What principle was adopted in 2006 to improve human rights oversight in the UN?

Answer 36

The establishment of the UN Human Rights Council & greater application of the subsidiarity principle.