UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

What is a minority government?

1. A government with less than half the seats in parliament

2. A coalition of multiple parties

3. A government formed after a no-confidence vote

4. A ruling party that has full control of parliament

The correct answer is: A government with less than half the seats in parliament

A minority government is defined as a situation where a political party holds less than half of the total seats in parliament. This means that the governing party does not have an outright majority and will typically need to rely on support from other parties, often through informal arrangements, to pass legislation and function effectively. This can lead to a more unstable government, as its ability to govern can be challenged by opposition parties. In contrast, a coalition government, which is another option, involves multiple parties coming together to achieve a majority, whereas a government formed after a no-confidence vote implies that the previous government lost the support of parliament, typically leading to a new election or a change in leadership under existing parties. Lastly, a ruling party that has full control of parliament clearly describes a majority government, which stands in contrast to the conditions that define a minority government.