That's News to Me (Special) Multiple Choice Quiz | 19th, 20th & 21st Centuries

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In late January 2004 a senior British politician captured the media with remarks about Palestinian suicide bombers. Which political Party was she from?

Answer: Liberal Democrats

A Dr Tonge, M.P. made some incredible remarks in support, as she saw it, of the Palestinian people. She was then sacked as the Party's spokesperson for children's affairs. Her remarks are not repeated here for legal reasons (but may be found in the newspaper reports of 24th January 2004).

The media reports that a group of Party activists are running a petition to have her reinstated to her front bench post. More sensible people are denouncing the remarks as outrageous and sick.

2. In the last week of January 2004 the Blair Government won a vote in the House of Commons by just five votes. What was the subject of the vote?

Answer: Student top-up fees

Amazingly the Government are reversing a manifesto promise not to introduce student top-up fees. The bill will mean that university students will have to pay up to �3,000 a year for their tuition. The money to be paid by them when they start earning over �15,000 per year.

The Government won by 316 votes to 311. This is the closest vote that Labour have had since taking government in 1997.

3. In the last week of January 2004 the Blair Government won a vote in the House of Commons by just 5 votes. What was the Government's usual majority in the House of Commons?

Answer: 161

In the vote 72 Labour M.P's voted against their own Government.

4. In the last week of January 2004 a report set the media alight in Britain. What was the name of the report?

Answer: The Hutton Report

Lord Hutton reported back on the sad death of Dr David Kelly, the one time government Chief Weapons Expert, who had committed suicide. The report completely absolved the Government from fault (while mildly criticising the Ministry of Defence) and verbally slayed the BBC.

The general public were not fooled, and opinion polls showed massive belief that the report was rigged as a whitewash for the Government. A "whitewash" allegation should be no surprise to anyone. In the 1970's the Widgery Report into the events of "Bloody Sunday" in N. Ireland also absolved the British Troops of blame in a similar way.

These events in N. Ireland are now being reconsidered.

5. In the last week of January 2004 the Director General, Chairman and a senior correspondent resigned fron the BBC?

Answer: True

The Director General of the BBC Greg Dyke, the Chairman Gavyn Davies, and the Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent (of Radio 4's "Today" Programme) Andrew Gilligan all resigned amid wide public sympathy. They resigned due to the impact on the BBC of the Hutton Report and the events surrounding Dr David Kelly's suicide.

While Mr Blair's ex-spin doctor Alastair Campbell yelled for their resignations a sage British public were showing in opinion polls a strong support for the BBC. Also contrary to the Hutton report's conclusions there was a lot of public feeling that Mr Blair should resign.

6. On Friday 30th January 2004 the national Guardian Newspaper published an opinion poll. The Guardian asked "In general, who do you trust more to tell the truth, the BBC, or the Government?". What percentage of respondents to their poll answered "the Government"?

Answer: 10%

This is an incredible statement about the public's trust in Government! This is amazing especially after the Hutton Report seemed geared to make the Government seem whiter than white! 31% of respondents replied the BBC, while 49% said neither (7% said "both" and 3% were don't knows).

7. In the last week of January 2004 what was the name of the American outgoing head of the Iraq Survey Group who suggested that there is probably little to be found in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction?

Answer: David Kay

Having resigned from his job in Iraq of searching for weapons of mass destruction he is now stating that they were probably never there when Iraq was invaded for the sole purpose of removing them. (In Britain the sole reason given by the government for invading Iraq was to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction, which were presented as a real threat).

8. In January 2004 Britain and America landed spacecraft on Mars in an attempt to find where Saddam Hussein hid his weapons of mass destruction.

Answer: False

I thought that you needed an easy question to help you along! The Americans, unlike the British, have recently successfully landed space research craft on Mars. However, the purpose seems to be in search of life and not anything else.

9. In January 2004 had the Blair Government agreed to an inquiry into the reasons for its going to war in Iraq.

Answer: No

Despite much demand, this was not agreed. We can only hope that (in line with public opinion) if it is agreed on, Lord Hutton will be unavailable! Although I am sure that they will find some reliable source such as Alistair Campbell to return to public life to conduct the inquiry! The U.S.A. agreed on 1st February 2004 to an inquiry, although it will take a long time to complete.

10. Is it correct to say that constitutionally in Britain, wherever possible the legislative, executive and judicial arms of government should be independent of each other?

Answer: Yes

This is the famous separation of powers that we learn about at school. We also learn of the exceptions to the rule that the constitution accepts as necessary. In particular, members of the government are generally drawn from the legislature. (Montesquieu simplified and idealized the situation in Britain when writing in the 18th century).

Source: Author rialto88

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

That's News to Me (Special) Trivia Quiz

After an incredible few days in the life of Britain this quiz is back. The author has returned from a short winter holiday to check your awareness of world affairs in January 2004.

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