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Question 1

Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution, as originally formulated in 1918, committed the Labour Party to which of the following policies?

a) The creation and defence of the Welfare State

b) Democratisation of Britain's political institutions, particularly the House of Lords

c) Efforts to resolve international disputes by diplomatic and non-military means

d) The nationalization of industries

Question 2

When did the Labour Party form its first majority government?

a) 1924

b) 1929

c) 1940

d) 1945

Question 3

Which of the following correctly identifies one of the principal demands made by Labour left between 1979 and 1981 in respect of reform of the Labour Party's organization?

a) Labour MPs should automatically have to face re-selection by constituency parties

b) A national policy forum should be established

c) The Shadow Cabinet should write the party's manifesto

d) Labour leaders should be elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party

Question 4

During the 20^th century, the Conservative Party was in government, either alone, or in coalition, for how many years?

a) 34

b) 45

c) 55

d) 67

Question 5

How many of the Conservative Party's leaders since 1975 have been elected in a process which directly involved the participation of the party's grass roots members?

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4

Question 6

Which of the following statements is correct in respect of the Social Democratic Party?

a) The Social Democratic Party was created in the aftermath of Labour's 1983 election defeat by defeated Labour candidates, contested the 1987 election and then wound itself up

b) The Social Democratic Party was created in 1978 by Labour MPs who sought constitutional reform, it contested the next four general elections before most of its membership merged with the Liberal Democrats

c) The Social Democratic Party was created by Labour MPs disillusioned with the party's left-wing policies in 1981. It fought the next two elections before merging with the Liberal Party

d) The Social Democratic Party was created by a split in the Labour Party in the 1930s. After many years of electoral failure it dramatically increased its vote in the 1983 and 1987 elections and merged with the Liberal Party to captalise on this success

Question 7

Which of the following statements best summarises the ideas advanced by Robert McKenzie about the two major parties?

a) "The mass membership are a significant obstacle to be negotiated by the leadership of both the Conservative and Labour parties"

b) "The leaderships of both parties are relatively autonomous despite differences in the formal power structures of each party"

c) "The leaderships of the major parties are unrepresentative of the bulk of the membership both demographically and politically"

d) "The Conservative Party is more internally democratic than the Labour Party"

Question 8

Which of the following was an element of William Hague's 1998 reforms of the Conservative Party?

a) A centrally controlled Priority List of candidates to increase the number of female and ethnic minority candidates at elections

b) Creation of an Ethics and Integrity Board

c) Closure of the Conservative Research Department

d) The election of the Party Chairman by party members

Question 9

Which of the following correctly identifies the key provisions of The Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act, 2000?

a) The provision of state funding for opposition political parties in the House of Commons at a rate of £5000 per MP and increases in the deposits to stand for election to £1000

b) Limitations on the award of peerages to donors to party funds and the establishment of 'blind trusts'

c) Registration of political parties as companies and votes on trade union political funds

d) Public declaration of all donations to national parties over £5000 and spending limits in election campaigns

Question 10

Which of the following think-tanks are most associated with the Labour Party?

a) The Institute of Public Policy Research

b) The Adam Smith Institute

c) The Centre for Policy Studies

d) The Social Market Foundation

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 18.

Chapter 18

Instructions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10