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Modern British Politics Trivia Quiz

This is a pretty easy quiz, with questions up to June 2003.

A multiple-choice quiz by forrestlover. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
forrestlover

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
133,850

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
932

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Clare Short resigned after finding Blair a "control freak" in 2003. But what was her Ministerial post? Hint

Minister of Defence

Cabinet Secretary

Minister of Education

International Development Secretary

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Question 2 of 10

2. What type of canine was Tony Blair described as after his "War on Iraq" exploits with Bush? Hint

A poodle

A labrador

A British bulldog

An Irish setter

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Question 3 of 10

3. What new Labour policy led to the newspapaer claims that "Blair is becoming a Tory" in early 2003? Hint

Private Funding Initiatives

"Tough on crime, Tough on the causes of crime"

Public spending cuts

Foundation hospitals

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who first coined the phrase "elective dictatorship" to describe the constitutional position of the British Prime Minister? Hint

Tony Blair

Lord Hailsham

Peter Hennessey

Ken Livingstone

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Question 5 of 10

5. The UK's Constitution is partly written.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the Trade and Industry Secretary who refused to eat beef during the foot and mouth epidemic? Hint

Mo Mowlam

Patricia Hewitt

Margaret Beckett

Peter Mandelson

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Question 7 of 10

7. How did John Prescott laugh in the face of Old Labour in 2002? Hint

He said the old Clause IV was "a waste of time"

He said Old Labour was never fit for power

He said unions are "a waste of time"

Stifled negotiations with the Fire Brigades Union

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Question 8 of 10

8. What secondary school did Tony Blair attend? Hint

Croydon Grammar School

Harrow School

Fettes College

Eton

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Question 9 of 10

9. Iain Duncan Smith famously described himself in 2001 as what? Hint

An egg head

An alcoholic

A Tory

A quiet man

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Question 10 of 10

10. Between 2002 and 2021, the HQ of the Greater London Authority was located close to which Thames bridge? Hint

Chelsea Bridge

Westminster Bridge

Tower Bridge

Lambeth Bridge

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Clare Short resigned after finding Blair a "control freak" in 2003. But what was her Ministerial post?

Answer: International Development Secretary

Clare Short was always seen as a thorn in Blair's flesh.

2. What type of canine was Tony Blair described as after his "War on Iraq" exploits with Bush?

Answer: A poodle

"A poodle lapping up his master's praise" according to some journalists.

3. What new Labour policy led to the newspapaer claims that "Blair is becoming a Tory" in early 2003?

Answer: Foundation hospitals

Some saw PFIs and Foundation Hospitals as the first steps to a privatised health service.

4. Who first coined the phrase "elective dictatorship" to describe the constitutional position of the British Prime Minister?

Answer: Lord Hailsham

"Elective dictatorship" - As long as the British Prime Minister has a loyal majority behind him (or her) there are very few effective 'checks and balances' on his (or her) powers between general elections. Peter Hennessy has claimed to have said it first, but the general consensus is that it was Lord Hailsham.

However, already in the 18th century Rousseau observed that "the English people are free for one day in every five years - on the day of a general election."

5. The UK's Constitution is partly written.

Answer: True

In contrast with most other constitutions, the UK's system gives strong governments, doesn't undermine Parliamentary sovereignty and gives flexibility ...

6. Who was the Trade and Industry Secretary who refused to eat beef during the foot and mouth epidemic?

Answer: Margaret Beckett

She claimed to have "already eaten lunch" when served British beef at a press conference.

7. How did John Prescott laugh in the face of Old Labour in 2002?

Answer: Stifled negotiations with the Fire Brigades Union

Nominally, he used to be presented as the flagship MP of Old Labour ...

8. What secondary school did Tony Blair attend?

Answer: Fettes College

Fettes is an expensive, very "classy" private boarding school in Scotland.

9. Iain Duncan Smith famously described himself in 2001 as what?

Answer: A quiet man

If you guessed alcoholic, remember it was HAGUE who claimed to have drunk 15 pints a night...

10. Between 2002 and 2021, the HQ of the Greater London Authority was located close to which Thames bridge?

Answer: Tower Bridge

The building, known as City Hall, was designed by Norman Foster. It was constructed at a cost of �43 million, but only occupied by the GLA for less than 20 years. In 2020 it was decided to relocate the GLA to a cheaper building in the regenerated Docklands area of East London.

Source: Author forrestlover

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