British Prime Ministers 1910 - 2010 Quiz | World

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was Tony Blair first elected PM?

Answer: 1997

Blair was elected on a landslide in 1997, with over 400 seats, becoming the first Labour PM since James Callaghan (1976-1979). This followed a period of 18 years Conservative rule, which had changed the face of Britain beyond recognition. Blair resigned in 2007, handing over to Gordon Brown. The rest is history as they say.

2. Harold Wilson's premiership had its 'up and downs' during the 1960s and early 1970s. During his terms of premiership many new policies were introduced. However, what did Wilson refuse to do?

Answer: Send troops to Vietnam

Despite significant pressure from President Johnson, Wilson refused to send troops to Vietnam. This had the effect of cooling our 'special relationship' with the USA for a while and caused some problems when requesting financial support from them to assist with our economic difficulties. Wilson did devalue the pound, abolish capital punishment and held a referendum to validate our membership of the EEC.

3. Margaret Thatcher certainly made an impression on the UK, and not all her decisions were universally popular. Which of the following caused riots?

Answer: Introduction of the "poll tax"

Margaret Thatcher was born in Grantham, the daughter of a grocer. She was PM from 1979-1990, the first woman to hold the post. She was a strong advocate of privatisation, the free market and reduced state intervention. The poll tax was introduced in 1990 to replace the previous 'rates' system, but led to violent riots organised by its opponents and was replaced by the Council Tax in 1993.

4. It is said that the Labour government under Clement Attlee, after World War II, was the greatest in terms of social reform with the introduction of the welfare state. The NHS came into effect in 1948, who was the creator of this great institution?

Answer: Aneurin Bevan

Aneurin Bevan was the Secretary of State for Health tasked with bringing the NHS into existence, following the acceptance of the Beveridge report in 1944. The creation of the NHS was initially opposed by GPs who believed that they would no longer be independent and didn't want to be controlled by the state. We thank him.

5. Between 1910 and 2010, four prime ministers have inherited the post from a predecessor and not been appointed following a general election victory or won a general election. Neville Chamberlain, Alec Douglas-Home and James Callaghan are three of them. Who is the fourth?

Answer: Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown replaced Tony Blair in 2007, leading the Labour government to defeat in 2010. His term of office was not helped by expense scandals, the banking crisis, car bombs and national floods. Chamberlain lasted just 2 years before resigning in 1940. Douglas-Home replaced Harold MacMillan and lasted 12 months before being defeated in the 1964 election. Callaghan took over from Wilson and lasted 3 years before being defeated by Margaret Thatcher in 1979.

6. Who was the longest serving PM between 1910 and 2010?

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

Thatcher was elected in May 1979 and served until November 1990, a total of 11 years, winning 3 consecutive general elections. Blair was in power for 10 years, (1997-2007) also winning 3 consecutive general elections. Churchill spent 9 years as PM and won 2 general elections, but his terms were not consecutive (1940-1945; 1951-1955). Wilson was in power for 8 years winning 4 general elections, as with Churchill his terms were not consecutive (1964-1970; 1974-1976).

7. Edward Heath, an accomplished organist and sailor, was a Conservative PM from 1970 - 1974. What major change to British society did he oversee?

Answer: Decimalisation

Britain became fully decimalised in 1971, although the first decimal coins were circulated in 1968. The old pounds, shillings and pence had been in existence, in one form or another, since Anglo Saxon times. Heath was defeated by Harold Wilson in 1974, with the Three Day Week contributing significantly to his downfall.

He remained leader of the Conservative Party until replaced by Margaret Thatcher in 1975 finally leaving the House of Commons in 2001. The Open University and HASWA were both during Wilson's premierships and devolution took place under James Callaghan.

8. David Lloyd George was the last Liberal to be PM. Towards the end of his term, he attempted to buy favours through a 'cash for honours' scheme. Which latter day PM was also involved in such a scandal?

Answer: Tony Blair

Towards the end of Blair's premiership, the Labour party was in need of funds. It was found that several Labour party nominations for peerages had made large financial donations/loans to the party. These nominations were refused and the police investigated. Blair was interviewed by the police and the Labour party was required to repay the money.

Although no criminal charges were brought against individuals, the scandal is believed to have hastened Blair's resignation as PM.

9. The general election in May 2010 led to the formation of a coalition/national between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. When was the last 'peace time' coalition/national government formed in British politics?

Answer: 1931

The last 'peace time' coalition/national government ran from 1931-1940, under the leadership of Ramsay MacDonald (Labour, 1931 - 1935), Stanley Baldwin (Conservative, 1935-1937) and Neville Chamberlain (Conservative, 1937-1940). There have been other occasions (1910, 1923, 1929, 1974 and 1977) when the party in government, during peace time, has relied on other party support but they are not considered formal coalitions.

The country was governed by coalitions during both world wars.

10. David Cameron became Prime Minister in May 2010, following the forming of a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. Who did he replace as leader of the Conservative Party?

Answer: Michael Howard

Cameron won the contest to replace Howard in December 2005, beating David Davis in the final ballot. Howard had been leader since November 2003 and resigned after the 2005 general election defeat. Duncan Smith was leader from 2001 to 2003. He is a member of the current cabinet. William Hague was leader from 1997, losing the 2001 election and is the current Foreign Secretary. John Major was Prime Minister from 1990 - 1997.

He was defeated by Tony Blair in the general election and resigned soon afterward.

Source: Author Exiledbantam

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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British Prime Ministers 1910 - 2010 Quiz

Over this period Britain has had 18 different prime ministers, some of whom have held the post more than once. Here are some memorable and not so memorable claims to fame.

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