3.1 - Elections in the UK

Question 1

What is accountability?

Answer 1

To be held responsible for one’s actions.

Question 2

What is the Scottish Parliament electoral system like?

Answer 2

Every 5 years
Using Additional Member System (AMS)

Question 3

What is the Northern Irish Assembly electoral system like?

Answer 3

Every 5 years
Using Single Transferable Vote (STV)

Question 4

What is the English Local Election electoral system like?

Answer 4

4 year terms
Using FPTP

Question 5

What is the UK Parliament electoral system like?

Answer 5

Every 5 years
Using FPTP

Question 6

What is the Welsh Assembly electoral system like?

Answer 6

Every 5 years
Using Additional Member System (AMS)

Question 7

What is the London Assembly electoral system like?

Answer 7

Every 4 years
Using the Additional Member System (AMS)

Question 8

What is the London Mayor electoral system like?

Answer 8

Every 4 years
Using Supplementary Vote (SV)

Question 9

What are the police and crime commissioners electoral systems like?

Answer 9

Every 4 years
Using Supplementary Vote (SV)

Question 10

What are elections?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is an electoral system?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the three types of election?

Answer 12

Proportional
Plurality
Majoritarian

Question 13

What is the party system?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What are the reasons for elections (broadly)?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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

Question 16

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

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Why is ‘legitimising political power’ important in elections?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is essential to gaining legitimacy?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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