Evaluate the view that the emergence of multiple parties in the UK means that the Westminster electoral system must be changed.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Statistics
• First-Past-the-Post
• Proportional Representation

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Changing the electoral system to Westminster would not necessarily mean that more parties are elected as the two-party is more engrained in the electorate than the voting system

Question 3

Statistics - Disagree - Point

Answer 3

When reinforcing recent election, it can be seen that the votes for minor parties do not translate into seats within Westminster - this means they are not being adequately represented

Question 4

Statistics - Disagree - Examples

Answer 4

• The Liberal Democrats recieved 11.5% of the votes in the 2019 general election, but only recieved 1.7% of the seats
• The Green Party recieved 2.7% of the vote share but only gained 1 seat out of 650

Question 5

Statistics - Agree - Point

Answer 5

It is important to acknowledge the percentage of the votes obtained by Labour and the Conservatives as it is clear that many more people vote for them. The SNP actually have the reverse problem to minor parties, in that the recieve more seats than their vote share

Question 6

Statistics - Agree - Examples

Answer 6

• In the 2019 general election, Labour and the Conservatives received over 75% of the vote share - clearly, the electorate want one of them in the government
• The SNP received 3.9% of the vote in 2019 but won 7.4% of the seats in Westminster

Question 7

First-Past-the-Post - Disagree - Point

Answer 7

There is significant evidence that the FPTP system creates a two horse race between Labour and the Conservatives - this means it is difficult for other parties to gain significant traction

Question 8

First-Past-the-Post - Disagree - Examples

Answer 8

• Apart from the coalition years, since 1945, there has always been either a Labour or a Conservative government
• The emergence of tactical voting, by which you vote for who you wish not to assume government, illustrates how FPTP enforces the two-party system. Around 9% of voters said they voted tactically in 2017

Question 9

First-Past-the-Post - Agree - Point

Answer 9

In recent years, other parties have emerged within the First-Past-the-Post system, this makes the notion that FPTP creates a two party system incorrect

Question 10

First-Past-the-Post - Agree - Examples

Answer 10

• From 2010-15, the Conservatives were in a coalition government with the Lib dems - they were able to have a massive impact on government policy
• In 2017, Theresa May was forced to enter a confidence-and-supply agreement with the DUP as she was running a minority government

Question 11

Proportional Representation - Disagree - Point

Answer 11

There are many different systems of PR, and it can be said that some of these systems will create a fairer result to Westminster

Question 12

Proportional Representation - Disagree - Examples

Answer 12

• Under AMS used for the elections to the Scottish Parliament the seats allocated and the percentage of the vote are far more proportional. In 2016, the Conservatives received 23% of the vote and 24% of the seats
• Under the STV used for the election to the Northern Irish Assembly, the results are also far more proportional. The DUP won 31.1% of the seats and 28.1% of first preference votes

Question 13

Proportional Representation - Agree - Point

Answer 13

The PR systems do not always favour multiple parties and can even reinforce the notion of a two or one party system

Question 14

Proportional Representation - Agree - Examples

Answer 14

• In the 2016 London Mayoral Elections done by Supplementary vote system, it was only Labour Sadiq Kahn and Conservative Zac Goldsmith that got the second round of voting
• The AMS system may produce a more proportional outcome, however, it does not stop one party dominating. The SNP have been in power since 2007