Tony Blair has fired the starting gun for the 2005 general election. Test your knowledge of previous poll battles with our election quiz.

Question 1

What was Craig Evans� claim to fame in the 2001 general election?

A: He polled the fewest votes of any candidate B: He was punched by John Prescott C: He stood as an independent candidate campaigning against the closure of his local hospital, and won D: He was revealed as Clare Short�s long lost son

Question 2

Which of these television programmes was not pulled from the schedules by the BBC in the run up to a general election?

A: Newsnight B: Not the Nine O�Clock News C: That Was the Week that Was

Question 3

When was the last time a general election was not held on a Thursday?

A: 1931 B: 1945 C: Never - elections are always held on Thursdays

Question 4

Which of these people is not standing against Tony Blair in his Sedgefield constituency?

A: Ex-spy David Shayler B: Reg Keys, whose son died in Iraq C: Anti-war MP George Galloway

Question 5

Which Lib Dem MP will be defending the smallest parliamentary majority?

A: Patsy Calton B: Sarah Teather C: Mark Oaten

Question 6

Only one of these groups is allowed to vote in a general election � but which one is it?

A: Convicted prisoners B: People considered mentally incapable of making a reasoned judgement C: Members of the Royal Family

Question 7

Sunderland South has been the fastest constituency to declare a result for the past three general elections. How long did its count take in 2001?

A: 23 minutes B: 43 minutes C: One hour and 43 minutes

Question 8

"Any future government which sets out honestly to reduce inflation and taxation will have to make substantial economies" - a quote from a Conservative election manifesto. But which year?

A: 2001 B: 1979 C: 1950

Question 9

"No more dole queues, in order to let the Czars of Big Business remain kings in their own castles" � a quote from a Labour election manifesto. But which year?

A: 1945 B: 1979 C: 1997

Question 10

Which party has won the largest overall majority in House of Commons seats since 1945?

A: Labour 1997 B: Conservative 1987 C: Labour 1945 D: Conservative 1983

Question 11

Only one of these people would be allowed to stand as a candidate at a general election. Which one?

A: A serving army officer B: A citizen of the Republic of Ireland C: An undischarged bankrupt

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