first past the post Flashcards
what type of system is FPTP?
plurality system
how to winin FPTP?
get the highest number of votes, doesn’t need to be a majority
what is a safe seat?
a constituency typically housing people likely to all vote for same party - seat rarely changes hands.
examples of labour safe seats
Liverpool, Walton - since 1964,Bootle
Conservative safe seats examples
Maidenhead - sine 1874
problems with safe seats
- limited voter impact
- members feel disenfranchised and unrepresented
- MPs less engaged with communities
Geoffrey Cox example of a problem with safe seats
when MP for his constituency of Torridge and West Devon, won with a 25,000 majority and criticized for having second job in British Virgin islands - earned 6 million pounds from 2019-2021
recent swings in elections
North Shropshire - 34% swing to LD from Tories after Paterson Randox scandal
Chesham and Amersham - 25% LD from Tory
advantages of FPTP
- stability from 2 party system - less likely for coalitions, less uncertainty and stronger mandate
- strong MP-constituent link - clear accountability
- Keeping Uk politics to center - hard fro extremist groups to have power
why are coalitions unfavorable?
- they take time to negotiate - Germany took 2 months to negotiate agreement for coalition using PR system
- coalitions means it is harder to pass laws as parties have different manifestos
Consitituency - Mp link
- weekly ‘surgeries’ - meetings where MPs can talk to constituents nd discuss problems - redress of grievances in commons
example of MP-constituency link
MP Zac Goldsmith Tory MP for Richmond Park rebelled against 3 line whip to vote against Heathrow expansion
fees difference from safe seat to marginal seat
2010 election - 22 times more money spent on Luton South - marginal - than Bootle
most marginal seats
Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Bury North
