W10 - UK Polity after Brexit and COVID-1

Question 1

What are the two major events that transformed the UK polity?

Answer 1

Brexit and COVID

Question 2

What was the default approach of the UK government in response to Brexit and COVID?

Answer 2

A centralising approach with a preference for outsourcing action

Question 3

Which regions in the UK showed divergent strategies during the COVID response?

Answer 3

England and Scotland

Question 4

What does asymmetrical devolution imply for national/global crises?

Answer 4

It creates challenges for consistent strategies

Question 5

What was a significant immediate outcome of the Brexit referendum?

Answer 5

The resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron

Question 6

What did Theresa May’s message of ‘Brexit Means Brexit’ signify?

Answer 6

Her commitment to delivering Brexit

Question 7

When was Article 50 triggered, and what did it signify?

Answer 7

On 29 March 2017, it began the formal process of leaving the EU

Question 8

What were the three main issues covered in the Withdrawal Agreement?

Answer 8

• Financial Settlements
• Citizens Rights
• Border Arrangements and Customs

Question 9

What was the significance of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement?

Answer 9

It established the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and EU

Question 10

What did the term ‘Divorce Bill’ refer to in the context of Brexit?

Answer 10

The financial settlements the UK agreed to meet post-Brexit

Question 11

What was one of the key controversies during the Brexit negotiations?

Answer 11

The Northern Ireland ‘backstop’

Question 12

What change did Boris Johnson make to the Withdrawal Agreement regarding Northern Ireland?

Answer 12

Replaced the backstop with a customs border in the Irish Sea

Question 13

What was the estimated cost of Brexit preparations according to the National Audit Office?

Answer 13

Approximately £4.4bn

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The UK did not leave the _______ but left the EU institutions.

Answer 14

Single European Market

Question 15

True or False: The UK left the EU Customs Union upon Brexit.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

What is the role of the Single Market in the EU?

Answer 16

Removes non-tariff barriers to trade and provides freedom of services and movement

Question 17

Which countries are examples of being outside the EU but within the Customs Union?

Answer 17

• Turkey
• Andorra
• Monaco
• San Marino

Question 18

What does the term ‘Canada+’ Arrangement refer to?

Answer 18

The comprehensive trade deal secured by the UK with the EU post-Brexit

Question 19

What significant role did Winston Churchill play in post-war Europe?

Answer 19

He was instrumental in the creation of the Council of Europe

Question 20

What is the main achievement of the Council of Europe?

Answer 20

The European Convention of Human Rights

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The UK remains a member of the ________, which promotes democracy and human rights.

Answer 21

Council of Europe

Question 22

What has been a major fear regarding Northern Ireland post-Brexit?

Answer 22

The potential for renewed violence due to border issues

Question 23

What was a controversial action taken by Boris Johnson during his leadership?

Answer 23

Proroguing Parliament for six weeks

Question 24

What is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?

Answer 24

A treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe.

The ECHR was drafted with significant input from British lawyers.

Question 25

When was the European Convention on Human Rights signed?

Answer 25

November 1950. ## Footnote The original signatories included the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

Question 26

Which countries are not members of the European Convention on Human Rights?

Answer 26

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Vatican City, and Russia (expelled in March 2022). ## Footnote Russia had been a member for 22 years before expulsion.

Question 27

Who was a key figure in the creation of the Council of Europe?

Answer 27

Winston Churchill. ## Footnote Churchill aimed to secure peace and prevent future atrocities in Europe.

Question 28

What significant act was passed by the UK government in 1998?

Answer 28

The Human Rights Act. ## Footnote This act enshrined the ECHR into UK law, allowing citizens to take cases to UK courts.

Question 29

What political force emerged in the UK since 2010 that challenged the government regarding EU membership?

Answer 29

UKIP. ## Footnote UKIP's influence led to the calling of an EU referendum.

Question 30

What argument was made for Brexit regarding Parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 30

It restored Parliamentary sovereignty and reestablished the authority of Westminster. ## Footnote This raises questions about whether sovereignty was lost or pooled with Europe.

Question 31

What was a major argument against independence during the 2014 Indyref?

Answer 31

Scottish interests in Europe would be maintained by the UK leading in the EU. ## Footnote The argument relied on the perceived benefits of EU membership.

Question 32

What was the voter percentage for Remain in Scotland during Brexit?

Answer 32

62%. ## Footnote Northern Ireland had a 56% vote for Remain.

Question 33

What is the Good Friday Agreement?

Answer 33

An agreement that established power-sharing in Northern Ireland and assumed an open border with the Republic of Ireland. ## Footnote It was predicated on both regions being EU members.

Question 34

What adjustment did the Windsor Framework make to the Northern Ireland protocol?

Answer 34

It removed checks on goods from the mainland UK to Northern Ireland. ## Footnote Goods must travel via a ‘green line’ labeled ‘Not for EU’.

Question 35

What was the purpose of the 'Stormont Break' in the Windsor Framework?

Answer 35

To allow Northern Ireland politicians to stop specific EU laws from applying to NI. ## Footnote This gives local politicians more control over EU regulations.

Question 36

What did the UK government's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate regarding devolution?

Answer 36

It showed a highly centralised approach, often undermining devolved powers. ## Footnote Decisions during the pandemic sometimes bypassed local authorities.

Question 37

What was a notable success of the UK government's pandemic response?

Answer 37

The vaccine rollout. ## Footnote However, there were also notable failures, such as PPE procurement issues.

Question 38

How did the handling of COVID-19 affect the reputation of devolved governments?

Answer 38

Devolved governments polled better during the pandemic. ## Footnote However, they did not perform better than the UK government overall.

Question 39

What is a significant challenge raised by both Brexit and COVID-19 in the UK?

Answer 39

Questions over political authority and the effectiveness of devolved institutions. ## Footnote Both events highlighted divisions and democratic accountability issues.

Question 40

What has been a notable trend among the Conservative Party following Brexit?

Answer 40

Fragmentation into single-issue factions. ## Footnote This mirrors fragmentation seen on the hard left in the past.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: The emergence of the _______ in 2018 pressured the UK government for a harder Brexit.

Answer 41

Brexit Party. ## Footnote This party was formed to advocate for a more stringent departure from the EU.