Electoral Systems in the UK, 3.1

Question 1

What is the purpose of an election?

Answer 1

encourages political participation
encourages education of electorate
holds current MPs to account
choice to elect new gov. / MPs
limit power of government
gives mandate to the manifesto of the winning party

Question 2

What is an electoral system?

Answer 2

mechanism through which votes cast by the electorate are turned into seats for elected representatives

Question 3

Majoritarian, Plural, Proportional

Answer 3

Majoritarian - requires simple majority of 50% + 1
Plurality - more votes than all other candidates
Proportional - allocate number of seats in proportion to % of vote

Question 4

Impact of electoral systems in UK

Answer 4

Type of Government: proportional usually coalition, majoritarian / plurality usually single party & stronger

Parties
proportional - multi party system, majoritarian / plurality = usually 2 party system

Voters
proportional = greater choice (doesn’t necessarily increase turnout)

Question 5

Where is FPTP used?

Answer 5

UK elections

Question 6

How does FPTP work?

Answer 6

1. 650 constituencies (based on population).
2. voters vote for the MP in their constituency.
3. the MP Representative with the plurality votes wins.
4. party with majority is invited to form a government (by the monarch)

Question 7

What is the House of Commons majority?

Answer 7

326 / 650

Question 8

Advantages of FPTP

Answer 8

simple system (quick)
higher turnout
stronger government mandate
local representative = vested interest
extremist parties kept out

Question 9

Disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 9

forms a 2 party system
tactical voting (weakens legitimacy)
‘safe seats’ lead to wasted votes
winners bonus = excess government power

Question 10

Where is AMS used?

Answer 10

elections in Welsh Senedd and Scottish Holyrood elections

Question 11

How does AMS work?

Answer 11

1. voter casts 2 votes, one for constituency, one for region representative.
2. scotland = 73 constituencies
   wales = 40 constituencies constituency results decided by FPTP.
3. scotland = 8 regions
   wales = 5 regions
   d’Hont formula decided regional results

Question 12

Advantages of AMS

Answer 12

multi-party system, so small parties benefit
more proportional than FPTP

Question 13

Disadvantages of AMS

Answer 13

government may be minority or coalition
expensive to implement
doesn’t have the best qualities of either other way
time consuming to count

Question 14

Where is STV used?

Answer 14

Northern Ireland Assemblies

Question 15

How does STV work?

Answer 15

1. 18 regions elect 5 MLAs
2. the voter ranks candidates
3. Droop Quota is used: candidate reaches quote = seat
4. remaining votes = redistributed to second candidate etc.

Question 16

Advantages of STV

Answer 16

multi party system
very proportional
accords to the Good Friday Agreement (power sharing)

Question 17

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 17

high likelihood of coalition = possibly a weaker and less stable government
expensive to implement
complicated and time consuming

Question 18

Where is SV used?

Answer 18

(used to be) London Mayor

Question 19

How does SV work?

Answer 19

1. voters cast 1 vote but give 2 choices
2. if one person has 50%, they win
3. if not, all candidates but the top 2 are eliminated and votes are redistributed until they reach 50%+1

Question 20

Advantages and Disadvantages of SV

Answer 20

good for a smaller scale
can create a two candidate/party system

Question 21

How do elections improve UK democracy?

Answer 21

holds government accountable
secret ballot
manifestos increase voter education and choice
peaceful transition of power
universal suffrage = legitimacy
local elections = representative of local issues
‘Burkean democracy’ - informed decisions
representatives held accountable through regular elections

Question 22

How do elections not improve UK democracy?

Answer 22

may lead to voter apathy and a lack of participation
two party system undermines voter choice
elective dictatorship (government only held accountable during election time
confusion/tension between government bodies
Tyranny of the Majority
AMS / STV may cause voter confusion and/or spoilt ballots

Question 23

Should FPTP be replaced?

Answer 23

YES: lack of proportionality, ‘elective dictatorship’, unequal voter value and wasted votes, two party system.

NO: simple to implement, creates strong and stable government, clearer voter choice, different systems do not show more turnout, strong MP-Constituency link, smaller parties have had increasing success eg Reform

Question 24

Elections in the UK

Answer 24

London Mayor - every 4 yrs, FPTP

Northern Ireland Assembly - 5 yrs, STV, creates 90 MLAs

National - 5 yrs, FPTP, creates 650 MPs (Parliament)

Scottish Parliament - 5 yrs, AMS, creates 129 MSPs

Welsh Senedd - 5 yrs, AMS, creates 60 MSs