3.1 - Elections in the UK Flashcards

1
Q

What is accountability?

A

To be held responsible for one’s actions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the Scottish Parliament electoral system like?

A

Every 5 years
Using Additional Member System (AMS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the Northern Irish Assembly electoral system like?

A

Every 5 years
Using Single Transferable Vote (STV)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the English Local Election electoral system like?

A

4 year terms
Using FPTP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the UK Parliament electoral system like?

A

Every 5 years
Using FPTP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the Welsh Assembly electoral system like?

A

Every 5 years
Using Additional Member System (AMS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the London Assembly electoral system like?

A

Every 4 years
Using the Additional Member System (AMS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the London Mayor electoral system like?

A

Every 4 years
Using FPTP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the police and crime commissioners electoral systems like?

A

Every 4 years
Using Supplementary Vote (SV)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are elections?

A

An opportunity for citizens to cast a vote for their elected representatives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is an electoral system?

A

A process by which the votes cast can be translated into elected officials or seats.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the three types of election?

A

Proportional
Plurality
Majoritarian

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the party system?

A

The number of parties that have a realistic chance of forming government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the reasons for elections (broadly)?

A
  • Holding the current elected representatives to account
  • Choosing an elected representative and government
  • Legitimising political power
  • Limiting the power of elected representatives
  • Development of political policy
  • Selection of a political elite
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is ‘holding the current elected representatives to account’ important in elections?

A

Allows the elected officials from the last 4 / 5 years to be held to account for their actions while they have been in office.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why is ‘choosing an elected representative and government’ important in elections?

A

Politicians are elected to represent their views, either on personal beliefs or on the policies of their party manifesto.

17
Q

Why is ‘legitimising political power’ important in elections?

A

A party now has the mandate to put their manifesto into action, provided they have a majority of elected seats.

18
Q

What is essential to gaining legitimacy?

A

The participation of voters. If the turnout is too low, the election result will not effectively represent the views of the entire population, undermining the legitimacy of the government elected.

19
Q

Why is ‘limiting the power of elected representatives’ important in elections?

A

The limitation of knowing they will have to stand for reelection in some number of years ensures they serve the population rather than their own interests.

20
Q

Why is ‘development of political policy’ important in elections?

A

Policies can be abandoned if the public perception towards them is too poor.

‘dementia tax’ - the Conservative policy that required people to sell their houses to pay for social care in old age.

21
Q

Why is the ‘selection of a political elite’ important in elections?

A

Parties decide who runs in an election thinking they give them the best chance of winning an election.