Electoral Systems

Question 1

What was the biggest attempt to change the electoral system?

Answer 1

apart of the 2010 coalition agreement, the Liberal Democrats put forward a referendum to replace the FPTP system with the Alternative Vote

voted against 69% to 315

Question 2

what are the main electoral systems that can be seen in the UK

Answer 2

FPTP
SMS
STV
SV
AV

Question 3

What electoral systems are Proportional?

Answer 3

STV
AMS

Question 4

What electoral systems are majoritarian

Answer 4

FPTP - and pluralist
SV
AV

Question 5

What are the advantages of FPTP?

Answer 5

simplicity - FPTP is fast and easy to understand therefore making voters more likely to turnout and can more simply produce a majority

strong government - usually provides a clear and legitimate winner, gibing it a mandate, also usually produces majority govnemnt allowing legislation to be passed

MP?onstiuency link - 650 MPs mean each areas has a direct representative, also meaning that every vote goes accounted for as voters can have a direct effect on result, also able to hold the MP to account greatly

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 6

lack of choice - the only real choice is between Labour and Conservatives, may lead to tactical voting - websites such as ‘Voteswap’

unequal vote values - due to winner takes all system, some seats can be safe seats or strongholds, whereas others may be swing seats, in safe seats votes may be seen to count for less as one party is already like to win the seat

disproportionate result - main parties are overrepresented and smaller parties are underrepresented, therefore the outcome does not truly represent the public

Question 7

Where is AMS Used ?

Answer 7

Scottish Parliament elections

The Welsh Senedd

Question 8

What are the advantages of AMS?

Answer 8

more proportional - the second part ‘regional vote’ cancels out the proportional failings of FPTP, the more seats a party gets in the constancy votes will get their votes divided by a greater number, reducing wasted votes and ensuring a better chnce for smaller parties

Split ticket voting - as voters have two votes, they are not limited to voting in favour of one party, encourages more parties to run

government with broad popularity - in order for a single-party government to be elected AMS ensures they must have a broad ppopularity , coalitions also will allow for a rang pin policy

Question 9

What ar eate Disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 9

more complicated - as AMS includes a formula t can draw criticism s and sceptics towards the vote can negatively effect voter turnout 46% in Welsh Senedd

Weaker governments - coalitions are far more likely which can have policy disagreements and can be weaker and less efficient

Parties have control - have control of the candidate list in the regional vote, voters can only vote to support the parties list

Question 10

Where is STV used?

Answer 10

Northern Irish Assembly

Question 11

what are the advantages of STV?

Answer 11

proportional - the most proportional voting system, has a strong correlation between the percentage of the votes cast and the percentage of the seats gained

Voter choice - voters have a great degree of choice multiple candidates from the same or different parties to fill multi-member seats

greater representation - others are greatly represented with multi-member constiuencies

Question 12

what are the Disadvantages of STV?

Answer 12

complicated - coding ma be simple, but the process after is complected can lead to poor voter turnout 63% average and 54% in 2011

weaker government - coalition is a likely result, Good Friday agreement, can often have disagreements over policy

constituency link - multi-member means a lack of MP–constituency link and harder to hold MPs to account

Question 13

Where is SVused?

Answer 13

until may 20203, SV was used in the Mayoral elections in England

Question 14

What are the advantages of SV?

Answer 14

majority outcome - ensures the winning candidate wins a majority Khan recieved 55% of the vote in 2021

voter choice - voters have greater choice thanFPTP, voters can vote for a smaller party with their first vote and a larger party with their second vote for example

simple system - compared to proportional systems, can have greater voter turnout

Question 15

what are the disadvantages of SV?

Answer 15

tow party dominance - bigger parties are more likely to gain the majority of the vote and therefore, less likely for smaller parties to gain power

false majority - as long as a candidate achieves the majotu pf the vote, then voters second preference e is not counted

wasted votes - there can be some votes thatt have little to no impact