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UK General Election Quiz: How Parliament Is Chosen

Q: Under the UK's 'first past the post' electoral system, how does a candidate win a parliamentary seat?

By winning the most votes in their constituency — Under first past the post, the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins that seat outright, even without an overall majority of votes cast.

Q: How many constituencies elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons?

Around 650 — The UK is divided into 650 parliamentary constituencies, each electing one MP to the House of Commons.

Q: What is the minimum voting age for UK general elections?

18 — The minimum voting age for UK general elections is 18, though 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in some devolved and local elections in Scotland and Wales.

Q: Under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, what is the maximum length of time between UK general elections?

5 years — Parliament must be dissolved and a general election held at least every five years, though the Prime Minister can call one earlier.

Q: Roughly how many of the 650 Commons seats does a party typically need for a working majority?

Around 326 — With 650 seats in the Commons, a party typically needs 326 seats for an outright majority, though the effective threshold can be slightly lower once the Speaker and non-voting MPs are accounted for.

Q: What is the popular name for the document in which political parties set out their policy pledges ahead of a general election?

A manifesto — Each party publishes a manifesto ahead of the election, outlining the policies it would pursue in government.

Q: Where does the monarch formally invite the leader most likely to command the Commons to become Prime Minister after a general election?

Buckingham Palace — By constitutional convention, the monarch invites the winning leader to form a government during an audience at Buckingham Palace.

Q: What term describes an election called earlier than the maximum term of Parliament requires, often to seize a political advantage?

A snap election — A 'snap election' is called earlier than required, often to capitalise on favourable political conditions.

Q: What is a 'by-election' in the UK political system?

A special election to fill a single vacant seat between general elections — A by-election is held to fill a single constituency seat that has become vacant, for example following an MP's death, resignation or expulsion.

First-past-the-post, constituencies and manifestos — test your knowledge of how UK general elections work.

9 questions · ~5 mins ·

⏱ Speed-run mode (track my time)

Question 1 of 9

1. Under the UK's 'first past the post' electoral system, how does a candidate win a parliamentary seat?

2. How many constituencies elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons?

3. What is the minimum voting age for UK general elections?

4. Under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, what is the maximum length of time between UK general elections?

5. Roughly how many of the 650 Commons seats does a party typically need for a working majority?

6. What is the popular name for the document in which political parties set out their policy pledges ahead of a general election?

7. Where does the monarch formally invite the leader most likely to command the Commons to become Prime Minister after a general election?

8. What term describes an election called earlier than the maximum term of Parliament requires, often to seize a political advantage?

9. What is a 'by-election' in the UK political system?

UK General Election Quiz: How Parliament Is Chosen

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