Electoral Systems

Question 1

Example of disproportionality in 2019 (Lib Dems)

Answer 1

• In 2019, the Lib Dem’s won 11.6% of the vote but only 1.7% of the seats

Question 2

Example of Disproportionality in 2015 (SNP)

Answer 2

• SNP won 50% of votes in Scotland but 95% of the seats

Question 3

Example of disproportionality in 2005 (Labour)

Answer 3

• In 2005, Labour won a 66 seat majority with a vote share of 35%

Question 4

Example of a time when FPTP achieved proportionality

Answer 4

In 2019, Labour won 32% of the vote and 31% of the seats

Question 5

Example of MP-constituency link being important

Answer 5

MP Stephen Timms held a record number of surgeries in 2011 despite being stabbed by an extremist the year before during a surgery (shows commitment)

Question 6

Example where MP-constituency link fails

Answer 6

In South Down, 2/3 of voters didn’t vote for their MP so MP can’t properly represent them

Question 7

Example of FPTP preventing extremism

Answer 7

BNP has never won a seat in UK Parliament despite winning 2% of the vote in 2010

Question 8

Example of where FPTP doesn’t stop extremism

Answer 8

• Britain has the 3rd highest DfC score (means 3rd highest deviation from centrism) in Europe

Question 9

Example where FPTP doesn’t stop extremism (BNP)

Answer 9

BNP won 50 seats in local elections

Question 10

Example of FPTP producing a strong and stable government

Answer 10

Produced working majorities in 18/20 elections since 1945

Question 11

Example of FPTP failing to produce strong and stable government

Answer 11

2/4 of the last elections have resulted in hung parliament

Question 12

Example of FPTP achieving accountability

Answer 12

In 2015, Lib Dems lost 49 seats after failing their tuition fee promise

Question 13

Example of FPTP being simple to understand

Answer 13

Only 0.8% of local election ballots spoilt

Question 14

Examples of FPTP producing the wrong winner

Answer 14

1951, 1974

Question 15

Example of FPTP producing electoral deserts

Answer 15

In Scotland in 2015, Conservatives won 15% of the vote but only 1 seat

Question 16

Example of FPTP producing safe seats

Answer 16

59% of seats in the UK are safe seats

Question 17

Example of other systems also producing safe seats

Answer 17

• Dundee City East has a 41.4% majority

Question 18

Example of FPTP not producing safe seats

Answer 18

12.4% of seats changed hands in 2019

Question 19

Example of FPTP creating a safe seat

Answer 19

Berkshire has been Conservative since 1885

Question 20

Example of FPTP causing tactical voting

Answer 20

In 2015, over 9% of voters voted tactically

Question 21

Example of AMS being more proportional

Answer 21

In 2016, there was a maximum 5% difference between the votes received and MSPs returned

Question 22

Example of AMS still not being proportional

Answer 22

In 2016, SNP won 44% of the vote but 49% of the seats

Question 23

Example of AMS ballot being complicated

Answer 23

In 2007, 140,000 ballot papers were rejected (mainly due to new design of paper though)

Question 24

Example of AMS not having a complicated ballot paper

Answer 24

More spoiled ballots in constituencies (4%) than regions (3%) in 2007

Question 25

Example of AMS representing small parties better

Answer 25

Green Party has 5.4% of seats in Holyrood in 2021

Question 26

Example of coalitions from AMS

Answer 26

62.5% of governments have been coalitions since 1997

Question 27

Example of STV being proportional

Answer 27

In 2022, Sinn Fein won 29% of the vote and 30% of the seats

Question 28

Example of STV not being proportional

Answer 28

In 2022, TUV won 8% of the vote but only 1% of the seats

Question 29

Example of SV creating a clear mandate

Answer 29

In 2016, Sadie Khan won a majority of 56.9% (largest personal mandate of any elected politician in history)

Question 30

Example of SV producing more voter choice

Answer 30

Allows independent candidates to win (12/40 PCC commissioners were independent in 2012)

Question 31

Example of SV not creating more voter choice

Answer 31

In 2016 and 2021, the 2 remaining candidates were Conservative and Labour

Question 32

Example of SV not expanding voter choice

Answer 32

In 2016 London mayoral elections, 382,000 people didn’t use their second preference vote

Question 33

What % of people voted tactically in 2019

Answer 33

32%

Question 34

What fraction of people who changed their mind did so tactically in the 2021 Scottish election?

Answer 34

1/3