Parliament A01

Question 1

What scandal did the Select Committee uncover in 2011?

Answer 1

The Rupert Murdoch phone hacking scandal, which led to the closure of the News of the World.

Question 2

How long did Johnson wait to meet with the Liaison Committee?

Answer 2

Over 300 days into his premiership.

Question 3

What was introduced in response to a select committee report in 2015?

Answer 3

The Sugar tax.

Question 4

Who brought attention to the obesity crisis?

Answer 4

TV Chef Jamie Oliver.

Question 5

What is a notable feature of Select Committees?

Answer 5

They have no time-limits.

Question 6

How long did Cummings give evidence on the COVID inquiry?

Answer 6

7 hours.

Question 7

What happened to the recommendations to fix Universal Credit in 2021?

Answer 7

They were completely disregarded.

Question 8

What reform was introduced in 2010 regarding select committees?

Answer 8

Wright Reforms: Chairs of select committees were elected by secret ballot.

Question 9

What lie did the Committee not uncover regarding Amber Rudd?

Answer 9

That the Home Office had no deportation targets.

Question 10

How many amendments did Jeremy Hunt’s Reform Act have?

Answer 10

Over 1000 amendments.

Question 11

What led to the general election after May’s Brexit deal defeats?

Answer 11

Johnson’s new deal.

Question 12

What privilege do MPs have, in Parliament?

Answer 12

Parliamentary Privilege (freedom of speech).

Question 13

Who controls committees in Parliament?

Answer 13

Whips.

Question 14

Which health crisis did the BMA make input on?

Answer 14

On COVID policy.

Question 15

What evidence did PETA submit?

Answer 15

For the Animal Welfare Bill.

Question 16

What does the 1911 Parliament Act state?

Answer 16

The House of Lords can only delay Bills for 1 year.

Question 17

What is the Salisbury Convention?

Answer 17

It states that the House of Lords cannot oppose policy from the government’s manifesto.

Question 18

What happened to the Dubs amendment in 2020?

Answer 18

It was overturned by the Commons.

Question 19

What was the outcome of George Osborne’s tax credits cut during the coalition?

Answer 19

It was voted against by the Lords, leading to Osborne retracting the Bill.

Question 20

What is a feature of the House of Lords regarding time-limits?

Answer 20

Lords have a job for life, so there are no time-limits.

Question 21

What did the Lords rebel over in 2016?

Answer 21

The Dubs Agreement.

Question 22

What did the 1999 House of Lords Act do?

Answer 22

Limited hereditary peers to 92.

Question 23

What are Crossbench Lords?

Answer 23

Non-partisan Lords with no government majority.

Question 24

How do Ministers’ questions and PMQs become accessible to the public?

Answer 24

The sessions are broadcasted.

Question 25

What can the Liaison Committee do?

Answer 25

It can question the Prime Minister directly.

Question 26

What expertise does the House of Lords have?

Answer 26

Expertise from many different areas.

Question 27

Who fights institutional racism and promotes police reform?

Answer 27

Baroness Lawrence.

Question 28

What percentage of the House of Lords are Bishops?

Answer 28

14% (26 Bishops).

Question 29

Who stands for mental health in the House of Lords?

Answer 29

Lord Adebowale.

Question 30

What amendment was made to the Children Act in 2018?

Answer 30

To cover FGM.

Question 31

What percentage of the House of Lords are from a minority background?

Answer 31

Only 6%.

Question 32

What was the percentage of minorities in the UK population in 2011?

Answer 32

13%.

Question 33

How many women were in the House of Lords in 2021?

Answer 33

231 out of 829 members.

Question 34

How many crossbenchers are in the House of Lords?

Answer 34

182 members.

Question 35

What happened to the Rwanda Bill amendments in 2023/24?

Answer 35

They were rejected.

Question 36

How many members of the House of Lords are Conservatives?

Answer 36

278 members.

Question 37

How many peers did Cameron appoint overall?

Answer 37

245 peers (40.5 peers/year).

Question 38

What was the local election turnout in 2018?

Answer 38

Only 36%.

Question 39

What was the Greater London Authority referendum turnout in 1998?

Answer 39

33%.

Question 40

What was significant about Cameron's appointment as a Lord?

Answer 40

It was the first time since the 1970s that a former PM served in a successor's Cabinet.

Question 41

What triggers a vote of no confidence in the 1922 Committee?

Answer 41

15% of MPs writing a letter of no confidence to the chairman.

Question 42

What happened in 1979 regarding a vote of no confidence?

Answer 42

Conservatives triggered a vote of no confidence in the Labour party, losing by 1 vote.

Question 43

What happened in 2022 regarding Johnson and a vote of no confidence?

Answer 43

Johnson survived a vote of no confidence amid a large Tory rebellion.

Question 44

What rumors circulated about a Conservative whip’s ‘Black Book’?

Answer 44

It contained misdemeanours of party members.

Question 45

How many MPs voted against Johnson's new COVID-19 tier system in 2020?

Answer 45

55 MPs voted against it, and 16 abstained.

Question 46

What was the biggest rebellion for Johnson in 2021?

Answer 46

Over 70 Tory rebels against Plan B restrictions for Omicron.

Question 47

Are backbench MPs engaged with the electorate?

Answer 47

They are actively engaged.

Question 48

What can the Backbench Business Committee do?

Answer 48

It can question the PM publicly at PMQs.

Question 49

How many days did the Backbench Business Committee choose the topic of debate?

Answer 49

35 days

Question 50

What was introduced via Private Members Bill in 1967?

Answer 50

The Abortion Act.

Question 51

What was the Protection of Children Bill about?

Answer 51

It was aimed at protecting children from indecent photos.

Question 52

What is a challenge faced by Private Members Bills?

Answer 52

They are easily blocked with the phrase 'I oppose'.

Question 53

How many votes of no confidence did Thatcher face in 11 years?

Answer 53

4 votes of no confidence.

Question 54

How many opposition days are there in Parliament?

Answer 54

20 opposition days.

Question 55

How is the Official Opposition funded?

Answer 55

By short money.

Question 56

What can the House of Lords do regarding Bills?

Answer 56

They can amend or delay Bills.

Question 57

What was the nature of Blair's association with New Labour?

Answer 57

He had a personal association with it.

Question 58

What did Johnson take responsibility for?

Answer 58

The 'Get Brexit Done' campaign.

Question 59

How was Cameron perceived during the coalition from 2010-2015?

Answer 59

Not seen as an individual leader.

Question 60

What did Johnson do to No. 10?

Answer 60

He kitted it out with a press room and appointed a TV spokesperson.

Question 61

What did Blair do regarding policy announcements?

Answer 61

He announced policies on media without consulting MPs.

Question 62

What was a notable media attention during the pandemic?

Answer 62

Hancock's actions.

Question 63

What initiative did Sunak promote under Johnson?

Answer 63

'Eat Out to Help Out'.

Question 64

How do British MPs feel at PMQs compared to US Presidents?

Answer 64

British MPs face humiliation, whereas US Presidents are respected.

Question 65

What methods did Blair use for decision-making?

Answer 65

Cabinet committees and 1-2-1 chats.

Question 66

Who were notable SpADs for different Prime Ministers?

Answer 66

Blair (Campbell), Johnson (Cummings), May (Timothy).

Question 67

How did Cameron make decisions?

Answer 67

With the ‘Quad’.

Question 68

What is a significant fact about the PM's electoral mandate?

Answer 68

The PM does not have a personal electoral mandate.

Question 69

How can Prime Ministers be removed?

Answer 69

Vote of no confidence, resignation, loss of election (e.g., Thatcher, Johnson, Truss).