Electoral Systems

Question 1

Electoral sytems UK

Answer 1

FPTP – Westminster
AMS – Scottish Parl, Senedd
STV – NI assembly, local election
SV – London Mayoral elections

Question 2

Majoritarian

Answer 2

Winner needs a majority (+50%) of the vote (SV)

Question 3

Proportional system

Answer 3

System where seats closely match votes cast (STV, AMS)

Question 4

how FPTP works

Answer 4

One vote per person, most votes in a constituency wins (plurality)

Question 5

FPTP advantages

Answer 5

Simple, quick strong MP-constituency link, usually delivers strong majority governments

Question 6

FPTP Disadvantages

Answer 6

Disproportional outcomes, wasted votes, safe seats, encourages tactical voting

Question 7

Recent example of disproportionality under FPTP

Answer 7

2019 General Election – Conservatives 43.6% of votes but 56% of seats (Lib Dems got 11.5% votes but 1.7% seats)

Question 8

AMS

Answer 8

2 votes, one for constituency MSP and one for party list (combination of FPTP + PR)

Question 9

AMS used where?

Answer 9

Senedd and Scottish Parl

Question 10

AMS advantages

Answer 10

More proportionl than FPTP, retains constituency link, fairer to smaller parties

Question 11

AMS disadvantages

Answer 11

Confusing, creates two types of representatives, less local accountability

Question 12

Recent example of AMS

Answer 12

2021 Scottish Parl election
SNP won 64/129 seats with 40% of the vote, Greens gained 8 seats, showing small party benefit

Question 13

How STV works

Answer 13

Voters rank candidates; candidates must reach a quota to be elected; surplus votes are transferred

Question 14

Where is STV used

Answer 14

Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections in NI

Question 15

STV advantages

Answer 15

Highly proportional, encourages cooperation, fewer wasted votes

Question 16

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 16

Complex, can weaken MP-Constituency link, May lead to unstable coalitions

Question 17

Recent example of STV

Answer 17

2022 NI Assembly - Sinn Fein became largest party for first time; vote share closely matched seats

Question 18

How does SV work

Answer 18

Voters choose a 1st and 2nd preference. If no majority, all but top two eliminated, and 2nd preferences redistributed

Question 19

Where is SV used

Answer 19

Mayoral elections but being replaced with FPTP due to Elections Act 2022

Question 20

SV Advantages

Answer 20

Broad supported needed to win
Fewer wasted votes than FPTP

Question 21

SV Disadvantages

Answer 21

Not proportional, 2nd preferences can be unclear or poorly transferred

Question 22

SV in action

Answer 22

2021 London Mayoral election – Sadiq khan won on second preferences; First-round votes were close between Khan and Bailey

Question 23

UK system most proportional

Answer 23

STV - it closely matches vote share to seat share

Question 24

Gives strongest governments

Answer 24

FPTP - often produces single-party majorities, e.g. Conservatives in 2019

Question 25

Systems that encourage tactical voting

Answer 25

FPTP and SV - Because of the focus on leading candidates

Question 26

What is the Elections Act 2022

Answer 26

Introduced voter ID and replaced with SV with FPTP for mayoral elections

Question 27

Why do some call for electoral reform

Answer 27

Fairer, more proportional outcomes, better representation of smaller parties, higher voter turnout

Question 28

Oppose electoral reform?

Answer 28

Fear of unstable coalitions, weak governments, loss of constitutency link

Question 29

Recent developments on reform

Answer 29

Lib Dems + Greens strongly support PR. Labour remains undivided, though grassroots pressure is growing