UK Elections & Referendums

Question 1

What is “the franchise”?

Answer 1

Who can vote in elections

Question 2

What did the 1832 Great Reform Act do? (3)

Answer 2

1. Disenfranchised 56 boroughs in England and Wales and reduced another 31 to only one MP
2. Created 67 new constituencies
3. Broadened the property qualification

Question 3

Which act gave working class men the vote for the first time and when was it passed?

Answer 3

1867 Representation of the People Act (Second Reform Act)

Question 4

What did the 1918 Representation of the People Act do?

Answer 4

1. Granted the right to vote to all men over 21
2. Granted the vote to women over 30 who met a property qualification

Question 5

Which act gave equal voting rights to men and women and when was it passed?

Answer 5

1928 Representation of the People Act (Equal Franchise Act)

Question 6

What did the 1969 Representation of the People Act do?

Answer 6

Extended the franchise to anyone 18 or older

Question 7

How many referendums have been held in the UK since 1973?

Answer 7

11

Question 8

What are 4 advantages of referendums?

Answer 8

1. Direct democracy
2. Educates the public about important issues
3. Gives voters more influence over the government
4. Ensures major changes have more legitimacy

Question 9

What are the 8 major referendums held since 1997 and what year were they held?

Answer 9

1. 1997 Scottish Devolution referendum
2. 1997 Welsh Devolution referendum
3. 1998 London Mayor referendums
4. 1998 Northern Irish Devolution referendum
5. 2011 Welsh Devolution referendum
6. 2011 Alternative Vote referendum
7. 2014 Scottish Independence referendum
8. 2016 Brexit referendum

Question 10

What was the turnout in the Brexit referendum and what was the result?

Answer 10

72% - 52% leave, 48% remain

Question 11

What was the turnout in the AV referendum and what was the result?

Answer 11

42% - 68% no, 32% yes

Question 12

What was the turnout in the Scottish independence referendum and what was the result?

Answer 12

85% - 55% no, 45% yes