Elections

Question 1

First past the post advantages

Answer 1

1. Simple + easy to understand
2. Extremeist parties can’t get seats easily ( eg UKIP, 4 mill votes, 1 seat [2014])
3. Easier to pass legislation as majority makes it a more a single party gov ( Johnson go passed legislation quickly [90% passing)

Question 2

Disadvantages of first past the post

Answer 2

1. Wasted votes ( libdems, >4 mill votes but 11 seats)
   2.tactical voting ( you gov survey- 1 in 5 said they plan to vote tactically)
2. Voters in safe seats feel no reason to vote ( around 44% classed as safe seats= ers)

Question 3

What is a majoritarian voting system + example

Answer 3

A party needs above 50% to win , supplementary vote

Question 4

What is a proportional voting system + example

Answer 4

Sets are allocated in proportion to the number of votes, stv

Question 5

Supplementary vote and where its used

Answer 5

Candidate needs 50%+ to win , used for mayor of London

Question 6

Single transferable vote and where its used

Answer 6

Votes written next to candidates in order of preference according to preference , Northern Ireland

Question 7

Additional member system and where its used

Answer 7

Voters vote for local using first past the post and party with proportional, Welsh and Scottish

Question 8

Impact of first past the post

Answer 8

FPTP can produce a two party system and increasing support for smaller parties have led to coalition

Question 9

Impact of majoritarian voting systems (sv)

Answer 9

Can cause a two party system and I takes it hard for minor parties to win

Question 10

Proportional vote impact

Answer 10

A result in a multi party system . But is still possible for a majority gov (2011 SNP)

Question 11

Factors that influence voting behavior

Answer 11

Age- more young people of all classes voted to remain in brexit
Class- working class= labour
Education= people with degree level more likely to vote labour
Ethnicity= 64% more likely to vote labour (estimated)

Question 12

1979 election info + influences

Answer 12

Labour Callaghan v Thatcher
Media= sun swapped to conservative
Policies= conservative wanted lower unemployment, helping economy, preventing strikes
Campaign= ‘labour isn’t working’
Election impact on policy= privatized industries ( British gas), monetarism

Question 13

1997 election info + influences

Answer 13

Conservative in power since 1979, labour landslide (179 seats)
Media= new labour , the sun=conservative -> labour
Voting behavior= all ages more likely to vote labour except 65+, 70% minority voters
Policies= third way (focused on social justice), pledges to cut NHS waiting list
Leadership+ campaign= ‘new labour, new danger’, Blair= young+ moved labour away from socialism (- clause IV)
Impact of election= majority helped with polices (human rights act 1998)

Question 14

2019 election + influences

Answer 14

Johnson called for snap election, overwhelming conservative majority, Johnson got snap election passed though general election act 2019
Media= sun supported conservative
Voting behavior = conservatives broke through red wall
Policies = focus on achieving brexit
Campaign+ leadership= ‘get Brexit done’
Impact left on policy = Brexit completed 2020

Question 15

Advantages of referendums

Answer 15

Direct democracy- more accurate than opinion polls
High turnout- Good Friday= 81% legitimacy
Can surprise gov= eu 2016

Question 16

Disadvantages of referendums

Answer 16

Gov will usually hold referendums they know will be positives
Some can have low turnout= eg av referendum (41%)
Can threaten parliamentary sovereignty

Question 17

Reasons for calling referendums

Answer 17

Gov feel they have to if nationalist parties getting power= eu referendum
Party or gov management= staying eec in 70s divided labour gov

Question 18

Uk referendums

Answer 18

Scottish + Welsh devolution 1979 + 1997
Good Friday
Uk av referendum Party
Eu referendum