Elections and Devolved Administrations Life in the UK Test Questions

False

Correct answer

True

led to the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement created the Northern Ireland Assembly with a power-sharing arrangement.

Correct answer

devolved powers to Wales

Welsh devolution was delivered by the Government of Wales Act 1998, not the Good Friday Agreement.

devolved powers to Scotland

Scottish devolution was delivered by the Scotland Act 1998, not the Good Friday Agreement.

Using a system of ranked voting

While proportional representation in NI uses STV (a ranked system), the key term used officially is proportional representation.

Using the first past the post system

First past the post is used for Westminster MPs, not the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Using a runoff system

A runoff system is not used for Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

By a system of proportional representation

The 90 MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly are elected by proportional representation.

Correct answer

MSs

Elected members of the Welsh Parliament are known as Members of the Senedd (MSs).

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MLAs

MLAs are elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

MPs

MPs are elected to the UK Parliament at Westminster.

MSPs

MSPs are elected members of the Scottish Parliament.

MPs

MPs are Members of Parliament at Westminster — not members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

MSs

MSs are Members of the Senedd in the Welsh Parliament, not Northern Ireland's Assembly.

MLAs

MLAs — Members of the Legislative Assembly — are the elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Correct answer

MSPs

MSPs are Members of the Scottish Parliament, not the Northern Ireland Assembly.

50

The Senedd has 96 Members, not 50.

75

The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs; the Senedd has 96 MSs.

96

There are 96 Members of the Senedd (MSs), elected every four years by proportional representation.

Correct answer

40

The Senedd has 96, not 40, Members.

Every 7 years

A seven-year maximum applied historically but not under current law.

At least every 5 years

General Elections must be held at least every five years.

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Every year

Annual elections were a Chartist demand — never adopted for general elections.

Every 3 years

No provision requires elections every three years.

By going to your local council and asking for an appointment

Local councils are separate from MPs — contacting an MP is done directly at their constituency office or Westminster office.

By phoning their constituency office

MPs can be reached by phone at their constituency office.

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Through facebook

Social media is not the official contact method — letters and phone calls to constituency offices are.

By letter

MPs can be contacted by letter at their constituency office or at the House of Commons.

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Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland — the Senedd is in Cardiff.

Swansea

Swansea is Wales's second city — the Senedd is in Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff

The Senedd building is in Cardiff Bay, part of Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Correct answer

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is where the Scottish Parliament sits — the Senedd is in Cardiff.

Personal achievements

Personal achievements play no formal role in the Welsh electoral system.

Instant run-off

Instant run-off is a preferential system — Welsh Senedd elections use proportional representation.

First past the post system (the candidate who gets the most votes)

First past the post is used for Westminster elections — the Senedd uses proportional representation.

Proportional representation

Welsh Senedd elections are held every four years using a form of proportional representation.

Correct answer

Every 4 years

Four years is the term for the Welsh and Scottish devolved elections, not UK general elections.

At least every 5 years

UK general elections must be held at least every five years under electoral law.

Correct answer

Every 2 years

Two years is far too frequent — UK general elections are held at least every five years.

Every year

Annual general elections do not happen — the Chartists wanted yearly elections but this reform was not adopted.

96

The Senedd has 96 elected Members (MSs), with six representing each of 16 constituencies.

Correct answer

129

129 is the number of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

140

No devolved chamber has 140 members.

108

108 is not the membership of any devolved body.