Additional Member System (AMS) Flashcards
what is AMS?
Additional member system is a proportional electoral system
Hybrid system combining elements of first past the post and proportional representation
mixed member proportional representation
where is AMS used?
Scottish parliament
Welsh assembly
Greater London assembly (GLA)
how does AMS work?
voters cast two votes — first is for a constituency representative (elected using FPTP) and second is for a second or additional representative (chosen from a party list)
uses multimember regional constituencies
One vote for a constituency representative and one for a party with a closed list
Closed list = party ranks candidates in order, if that party wins the second vote then the candidate at the top is elected as the additional member/representative
There are more constituency representatives and so the second votes/representatives are known as additional or ’top-up’ votes and members
Those who have done well in the second vote get a chance to be represented in Parliament, thus achieving a more proportional and fair outcome
These bodies have four year fixed terms
Scotland — 73 constituency MPs and 56 regional MSPs from eight regions
the D’Hondt formula Is used to calculate the number of seats for each party
advantages: PROPORTIONAL
Top up element introduces an element of proportionality
the d’Hondt Formula is used to determine how many members a party should be allocated from the lists
In Scotland the Conservative party won no seats in 1997 under first past the post but AMS enabled it to win 18 seats in the Scottish Parliament election of 1999
more proportional than FPTP
advantages: STRONG LINKS
Maintains a strong link between the representative and their constituency as it still contains elements of first past the post
advantages: WIDER CHOICE
Everyone is entitled to 2 votes
they can choose a representative of one party and use the second vote for a different party — known as a split ticket
wider choice than under FPTP
advantages: SMALLER PARTIES
Provides representation for smaller parties making it more democratic and representative
disadvantages: CONFUSING
Confusing system — the way that the system is used and worked out can be very hard to understand and use
Two types of members, one with constituency responsibilities and one without
The confusing and more complex nature of this system means that a result therefore takes longer to reach
disadvantages: CLOSED LISTS
In the second vote voters will choose a party and that party will have a private list where they will candidates in order
They can use this to prevent or encourage certain candidates to be elected
For example, preventing dissident candidates being elected by putting them at the bottom of the list
disadvantages: NOT FULLY REPRESENTATIVE
Other proportional systems provide much more accurate representation for smaller parties
Still contains elements of FPTP
disadvantages: SMALLER PARTIES
Boosts the significance of smaller parties, giving them undue influence
For example in Germany between 1969 and 1998 the Free Democrats never gained more than 10% of the popular vote but were able to hold the balance of power between the two largest parties
This is true of all proportional systems
why AMS for Scotland, Wales and GLA?
AMS was the price that Labour paid for winning acceptance for its devolution plans from other parties
Lib Dems and SNP would’ve preferred STV for Scotland as they expected labour would dominate unless under a more proportional system
AMS was chosen as a compromise that would result in a broadly representative parliament but without bringing about radical change through STV
Labour expected that AMS would enable it to play a part in the Scottish government
Pleased the other parties by providing an element of proportionality and was accepted by labour because it retained local representation
AMS was agreed for Scotland and then for Wales and used in the GLA because it had already been selected for Scotland and Wales
