General
What is the political form of the government?
constitutional monarchy without a written constitution
What is the main function of the House of Commons?
to create laws
What colour is the upholstery in the House of Commons?
green
General elections are held in every ... years
5
What is the colour of the upholstery in the House of Lords
red
Name the 3 major institutions and their representatives
The Crown - the monarch; the government - the Prime Minister, the Parliament
Who leads the debate?
The Speaker
What is the name of the building where the parliament works?
The Palace of Westminster
What is the common term for the type of voting system they use? What does it mean?
first-past-the-post; the candidate with the most votes wins
Finish the sentence: Life peers are appointed mostly on the basis of ......
their expertise in different fields of life
Name the 3 types of laws that are the basis of government, how are they different?
statute laws - been debated and signed; common law - verdicts of judges; conventions - not compulsory traditions
Where do MP-s who support the Government sit?
On the right of the Speaker
How do MP-s vote technically?
They walk through the AYE and NO lobbies
On what main conditions can you vote?
you are over 18; you are on the electoral register
What is the name of the seat of the Lord Speaker?
the Woolsack
List 4 functions of the monarch in theory.
the head of the state and the government; the head of the Anglican church; commander-in-chief of the army
Where do MP-s of the opposition sit?
on the left of the Speaker
Who could become Prime Minister? How?
the leader of the party that has won the elections, the monarch appoints him/her
Fill in the missing words: You ..... your vote at a ....... station by .......
cast; polling; ballot
What is the name of the most important event in the House of Lords?
the Opening of the Parliament
Who has the (executive) power in practice?
The Prime Minister
Who sits on the front bench on each side respectively?
The Cabinet on the right and the Shadow Cabinet on the left
Name the roles of the 4 most important members of the Cabinet
the PM; the Home Secretary; the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer
What is a 'hung' Parliament?
When no party has more than 325 seats, that is a majority in parliament.
Why is this important event held in the House of Lords?
The monarch has to open the parliament and he is not allowed to enter the House of Commons