2.2.2 - Electoral systems in the UK

Question 1

Question 1
How does the First Past the Post system operate?

Answer 1

Voters cast a single, non-transferable vote. The candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of margin.

Question 2

Question 2
What factors affect constituency sizes?

Answer 2

• Local government boundaries.
• Special geographical considerations.
• Statutory electorate range.

Question 3

Question 3
What is a Safe Seat?

Answer 3

A seat consistently won by a party or individual due to a large margin.

Question 4

Question 4
What is a Marginal Seat?

Answer 4

A highly competitive seat, won by a narrow margin (typically under 10%).

Question 5

Question 5
What is Winner’s Bonus?

Answer 5

The effect where a winning party takes all representation, while losing parties receive nothing.

Question 6

Question 6
What is the impact of FPTP on Party competition?

Answer 6

Often leads to a two-party system where smaller parties struggle to win seats due to vote concentration.

Question 7

Question 7
What are the Advantages of FPTP?

Answer 7

• Forms stable governments—avoids coalitions.
• Simple system, easy for the public to understand.
• Generally produces a clear winner.

Question 8

Question 8
What are the Disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 8

• Can be undemocratic—vote share doesn’t always reflect seat share (e.g., 34% vote leading to 63% of seats).
• Reinforces a two-party system (post-WW2, only Labour & Conservatives have led governments).
• Encourages tactical voting—to block undesired outcomes rather than support preferred candidates.

Question 9

Question 9
What is the Additional Member System?

Answer 9

A mixed electoral system combining FPTP & proportional representation.

Question 10

Question 10
Where is AMS used?

Answer 10

• Scottish Parliament.
• Welsh Senedd.
• London Assembly.

Question 11

Question 11
What is the structure of AMS Elections?

Answer 11

1. A proportion of seats are elected using FPTP (e.g., 67% of Welsh MS seats).
2. Remaining seats are allocated through a closed regional party list system (e.g., 33% of Welsh MS seats).
3. Voters cast two votes:
   * One for a candidate in a single-member constituency (FPTP).
   * One for a party in a multi-member constituency (Party List).
4. Regional list seats are allocated to balance overall proportionality.

Question 12

Question 12
What are the Advantages of AMS?

Answer 12

• Combines constituency representation & proportional fairness.
• Votes are less likely to be wasted due to proportional adjustments.
• Counting votes is straightforward & easy for voters to understand.

Question 13

Question 13
What are the Disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 13

• Parties control closed party lists—voters cannot select individual candidates.
• Proportional outcomes are weaker when additional member numbers are low (e.g., Welsh Senedd).
• Smaller parties are often underrepresented—fewer seats mean larger parties dominate.

Question 14

Question 14
How does the Party List electoral system function?

Answer 14

Voters choose a political party rather than individual candidates, and seats are allocated proportionally based on vote share.

Question 15

Question 15
What is an Open Party List?

Answer 15

Voters rank individual candidates within a party list.

Question 16

Question 16
What is a Closed Party List?

Answer 16

Voters select a party; the party sets the order of elected candidates.

Question 17

Question 17
What does Proportional Allocation mean within a party list electoral system?

Answer 17

Seats are distributed based on vote percentage using formulas like D’Hondt or Sainte-Laguë.

Question 18

Question 18
What are multi-member constituencies in a Party List Electoral System?

Answer 18

Several representatives elected per district.

Question 19

Question 19
What are the Advantages of Party List System?

Answer 19

• Fairer & more proportional representation.
• Gives electorate a wider choice of parties.
• Majority establishment via electoral thresholds.

Question 20

Question 20
What are the Disadvantages of Party List System?

Answer 20

• Without electoral thresholds, majorities are hard to form (e.g., Weimar Germany in the 1920s).
• Party lists are often closed, limiting voter choice of individual candidates.
• Some parties may be over or underrepresented compared to vote share.

Question 21

Question 21
What is the Single Transferable Vote system?

Answer 21

A preferential voting system used in multi-member constituencies, where votes are redistributed until candidates meet a quota.

Question 22

Question 22
What are the Key Features of STV?

Answer 22

• Multi-member constituencies (e.g., Northern Ireland elects 6 members per constituency).
• Ordinal voting – voters rank candidates numerically (‘1’ for first choice, ‘2’ for second, etc.).
• Votes redistributed using the Droop quota formula:
  (Total valid poll / (Seats available + 1)) + 1
• Elimination process – lowest candidates removed & votes redistributed until all seats are filled.

Question 23

Question 23
What are the Advantages of STV?

Answer 23

• Gives voters more choice, even between candidates from the same party.
• Delivers proportional representation.
• Ensures all votes have equal value.

Question 24

Question 24
What are the Disadvantages of STV?

Answer 24

• Complex vote-counting process.
• More likely to result in coalition governments (potentially unstable).
• Weaker direct link between MPs & constituents.

Question 25

Question 25 What is the Supplementary Vote system?

Answer 25

A voting method used in mayoral and police crime commissioner elections where voters select a first and second preference

Question 26

Question 26 What are the Key Feature os SV?

Answer 26

* Voters mark their first & second choice (second choice optional). * If no candidate wins a majority, only the top two remain, and second preferences are counted. * The candidate with the highest total votes is elected.

Question 27

Question 27 What are the Advantages of SV?

Answer 27

* Ensures winning candidates have broader support & legitimacy. * Minor party voters can still influence elections with second preference. * First & second choice votes do not disrupt election outcomes.

Question 28

Question 28 What are the Disadvantages of SV?

Answer 28

* Not proportional – favors majority-based systems over fairness in representation. * Often elects the least unpopular candidate rather than the most popular one.

Question 29

Question 29 What is the purpose of elections in the UK?

Answer 29

* Provide citizens with a choice of leaders. * Hold the government accountable. * Grant legitimacy to winning candidates through a political mandate.

Question 30

Question 30 What ensures fair & competitive elections in a liberal democracy like the UK?

Answer 30

* Private ballot. * No coercion of the electorate. * Multiple parties providing voter choice.

Question 31

Question 31 What is the Democratic Theory?

Answer 31

* Empowers citizens by allowing parties to campaign freely. * Competitive elections ensure politicians remain accountable.

Question 32

Question 32 What is the Elitist Theory

Answer 32

* A small, self-serving elite controls power & decision-making. * Ordinary citizens have limited influence over governance

Question 33

Question 33 What Electoral systems are used in the UK?

Answer 33

* Scottish & Welsh Assembly elections use AMS (FPTP top-up system). * Northern Ireland Assembly & local government use STV. * Directly elected mayors (e.g., London Mayor) use Supplementary Vote.

Question 34

Question 34 What are the roles of the House of Lords?

Answer 34

* Review & approve legislation alongside the Commons. * Scrutinize government actions. * Some Lords are appointed (e.g., former PMs), others are hereditary peers (92 as of 2024). * Dominated by Conservative ideology.

Question 35

Question 35 How is the Senedd structured?

Answer 35

* Total of 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). * 40 Constituency MSs elected via First Past the Post (FPTP). * 20 Regional MSs elected via Party List System (representing 5 regions).

Question 36

Question 36 What are the multi-member constituences of Wales?

Answer 36

* North Wales – 4 members (e.g., Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative). * Mid Wales – 4 members (e.g., First Minister Eluned Morgan, Labour). * South-East – 4 members. * South-West – 4 members. * South-Central – 4 members.

Question 37

Question 37 What do MSs do?

Answer 37

* Draft & approve new laws. * Oversee policies on health, social care, housing, education, transport, language & culture. * Represent the interests of Welsh citizens.

Question 38

Question 38 How is the Welsh Government strcutured?

Answer 38

* Led by First Minister & 12 Ministers. * Government meets twice a week. * Opposition parties can debate issues of their choice.

Question 39

Question 39 What is Government scrutiny in the Senedd?

Answer 39

* Plenary meetings (full Senedd debates). * Committee scrutiny based on MS specializations. * Most meetings are public, though committees can opt for private sessions.

Question 40

Question 40 What is a referendum?

Answer 40

A vote where the public directly decides on an issue, an example of direct democracy.

Question 41

Question 41 How do the use of Referendum's differ from standard UK governance?

Answer 41

Most decisions are made by Parliament on behalf of the electorate—an example of representative democracy.

Question 42

Question 42 Why are referendums used in the UK?

Answer 42

* Primarily for divisive or constitutional issues that Parliament struggles to resolve. * Historically rare, as MPs are elected to make decisions instead.

Question 43

Question 43 How many UK-wide referendums have occurred?

Answer 43

* European Communities Membership (1975). * Alternative Vote System (2011). * European Union Membership (2016).

Question 44

Question 44 What were the resuls of each Referendum?

Answer 44

* 1975: Stay in the European Community – Yes (67.2%). * 2011: Keep First Past the Post – No to AV (67.9%). * 2016: Leave the European Union – Leave (51.9%).

Question 45

Question 45 What was the key Welsh referendum?

Answer 45

2011 Welsh devolution referendum on granting full law-making powers to the Assembly.

Question 46

Question 46 What was the result?

Answer 46

Yes – 63.49%.

Question 47

Question 47 What law regulates referendums in the UK?

Answer 47

Political Parties, Elections & Referendums Act, 2000.

Question 48

Question 48 What role does the Electoral Commission play in Referendums?

Answer 48

* Ensures fair referendum procedures. * Reports on elections & referendums. * Allocates policy development grants. * Oversees electoral integrity & policy reviews.

Question 49

Question 50 Describe the European Communities Membership (1975) Referendum?

Answer 49

* Question: Should the UK remain in the European Community? * Outcome: Yes – 67.2%. * Turnout: 64.62%. * Led by Harold Wilson; focused on trade & economic benefits

Question 50

Question 50 Describe the Alternative Vote Referendum (2011) Referendum?

Answer 50

* Question: Replace First Past the Post with Alternative Vote? * Outcome: No – 67.9%. * Turnout: 42.2%. * Seen as a setback for electoral reform & Liberal Democrats.

Question 51

Question 51 Describe the EU Membership Referendum (2016) Referendum?

Answer 51

* Question: Should the UK remain in or leave the EU? * Outcome: Leave – 51.89%. * Turnout: 72.2%. * Debates focused on sovereignty, immigration, & trade.

Question 52

Question 52 Describe the Scottish Independence Referendum (2014) Referendum?

Answer 52

* Question: Should Scotland become an independent country? * Outcome: No – 55.3%. * Turnout: 84.6% (one of the highest in UK electoral history). * Debates centered on economic stability, currency, & EU membership.

Question 53

Question 53 What are the Advantages of referendums?

Answer 53

- Enhance democratic legitimacy by directly involving the electorate. - Resolves major constitutional issues with public consent. - Encourages political engagement & debate.

Question 54

Question 54 What are the Disadvantages of Referendums?

Answer 54

- Can oversimplify complex political issues into binary choices. - Campaigns may mislead voters with misinformation. - Results can create long-term uncertainty & division (e.g., Brexit).