Democracy and Participation

Question 1

What was the outcome of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024 in the House of Commons?

Answer 1

The bill passed with a majority of 55 during its 2nd reading

The bill legalised assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.

Question 2

Who introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024?

Answer 2

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater as a Private Members Bill

She came top of the PMB ballot.

Question 3

What is the significance of the PMB process in Parliament?

Answer 3

Backbenchers can propose and make significant changes to law

MPs who come first in the ballot have their bills debated first on sitting Fridays.

Question 4

What does a ‘free vote’ mean in the context of Parliament?

Answer 4

MPs are allowed to vote with their conscience rather than along party lines.

Question 5

What percentage of the public supported assisted dying according to polling?

Answer 5

2/3rds of the public supported assisted dying.

Question 6

What model of representation did MPs fulfill during the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill?

Answer 6

Trustee model of representation.

Question 7

Which MP hosted a mini-referendum in their constituency regarding the Terminally Ill Adults Bill?

Answer 7

Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth.

Question 8

What percentage of constituents voted in favor of assisted dying in Rupert Lowe’s poll?

Answer 8

75% of 1181 constituents voted in favor.

Question 9

What does FPTP stand for in the context of elections?

Answer 9

First Past The Post.

Question 10

As of February 2025, how many members did Reform UK reportedly have?

Answer 10

Over 200,000 members.

Question 11

What controversy involved Lord Waheed Alli and the Labour government?

Answer 11

Allegations of cronyism due to significant gifts and hospitality accepted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Question 12

What was the scandal involving Prime Minister Keir Starmer called?

Answer 12

Freebiegate.

Question 13

How much had Lord Alli donated to the Labour Party since 2020?

Answer 13

Over £500,000.

Question 14

What did the Age UK E-Petition urge the government to reverse?

Answer 14

Means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

Question 15

How many signatures did the Age UK E-Petition receive?

Answer 15

Over 590,000 signatures.

Question 16

What was the outcome of the E-Petition calling for a general election on November 24, 2024?

Answer 16

Received 2.9 million signatures and will be debated in Parliament in 2025.

Question 17

What concern was raised about the general election petition?

Answer 17

Some users from outside the UK were urged to sign, pretending to be UK voters.

Question 18

What was the voter ID law introduced by the Conservative government aimed at combating?

Answer 18

Electoral fraud.

Question 19

How many voters were turned away from voting due to voter ID laws in the 2024 General Election?

Answer 19

50,000 voters were turned away.

Question 20

What was Labour’s pledge regarding the voting age in their 2024 manifesto?

Answer 20

To lower the voting age to 16.

Question 21

What did the National Farmers Union (NFU) do under the last Conservative government?

Answer 21

Wielded significant policy influence due to close ties with DEFRA and the Tory Party.

Question 22

What tax was introduced in the 2024 Budget that affected farmers?

Answer 22

A tax of 20% on inherited farming assets over £1 million.

Question 23

What was the outcome of the protests organized by the NFU against the inheritance tax changes?

Answer 23

The Government refused to backtrack on these changes.

Question 24

What did the Labour government announce regarding arms sales to Israel on September 2, 2024?

Answer 24

They planned to suspend some arms export licenses to Israel.

Question 25

What was the WASPI group campaigning for?

Answer 25

Compensation for 3.6 million women affected by changes to the women’s state pension age.

Question 26

What event highlighted the role of pressure groups in influencing government policy?

Answer 26

The protests for a ceasefire in Gaza with over 100,000 attendees.

Question 27

What does the term 'democratic deficit' refer to?

Answer 27

The perception that those with money can influence politics despite being unelected.

Question 28

What is 'slacktivism' in the context of e-petitions?

Answer 28

Mass participation that lacks real impact and is not a replacement for traditional forms of participation.

Question 29

What was the voter turnout percentage in the 2024 General Election?

Answer 29

59%.

Question 30

What does WASPI stand for?

Answer 30

Women Against State Pension Inequality ## Footnote WASPI is a pressure group established to campaign for compensation for women affected by changes to the state pension age.

Question 31

What significant change did the WASPI campaign address?

Answer 31

The change equalised the state pension age for women and men ## Footnote Previously, women could access the state pension five years earlier than men.

Question 32

What was the Labour government's decision regarding WASPI's compensation request?

Answer 32

The Labour government rejected compensation in December 2024 ## Footnote This rejection was influenced by the projected cost of over £10 billion.

Question 33

What is a key factor in the success of pressure groups according to the WASPI case?

Answer 33

Alignment with government aims ## Footnote The case suggests that government alignment is more significant than membership or outsider methods.

Question 34

What was confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on January 29, 2025?

Answer 34

Support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport ## Footnote This decision faced opposition from environmental pressure groups.

Question 35

What is the role of the Public Order Act enacted on May 2, 2023?

Answer 35

To address disruptive protest tactics ## Footnote It introduced offences like 'locking-on' and interfering with national infrastructure.

Question 36

What was a criticism of the Public Order Act regarding farmers' protests?

Answer 36

It restricted the right to protest in disruptive ways ## Footnote Disruptive protests are often seen as effective for raising awareness.

Question 37

What is Labour Together?

Answer 37

An insider policy think-tank formed under Corbyn's leadership ## Footnote Its goal was to help Labour get re-elected, involving many prominent Labour figures.

Question 38

What does the 'revolving door' refer to in politics?

Answer 38

The movement of individuals between roles in government and lobbying firms ## Footnote This raises concerns about influence and corruption.

Question 39

What changes did the Labour government make regarding MPs' second jobs?

Answer 39

Tightened rules on lobbying and consultancy jobs ## Footnote This was to remove conflicts of interest and ensure MPs focus on constituents.

Question 40

What was the outcome of the Labour Investment Summit?

Answer 40

Resulted in £63 billion of private investment ## Footnote The summit showcased the UK's pro-growth policy.

Question 41

What was the government’s response to lobbying from electric vehicle manufacturers?

Answer 41

Consultation on weakening or reversing the Electric Vehicle mandate ## Footnote This followed criticism from car corporations, including Ford.

Question 42

What key reforms are included in Labour's proposed Employment Rights Bill?

Answer 42

Ending zero-hour contracts and increasing the minimum wage ## Footnote Other proposed reforms include strengthening sick pay and parental leave.

Question 43

What significant policy change did the Labour government implement regarding citizenship?

Answer 43

Removed the route to citizenship for those who entered illegally ## Footnote This includes refugees arriving by small boats.

Question 44

What did Robert Jenrick advocate during the 2024 Conservative Party leadership election?

Answer 44

Withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) ## Footnote He argued it was necessary for national security and immigration control.

Question 45

What would be the implications of leaving the ECHR?

Answer 45

Significant reduction of individual rights protection in the UK ## Footnote It would also change the UK Constitution as the ECHR has been integral to rights protection.