FPTP Flashcards
What is FPTP?
A simple plurality electoral system where the person with the highest number of votes is elected
Where is it used?
General and local elections in England and Wales
List it’s key features
1) small, single member constituencies
2) winner takes all based on plurality
3) voting is simple as you place an x next to your chosen candidate
4) voters get one vote for one candidate
What is the average adult population per constituency?
75,000
Griffith won for the conservatives with what percentage of the vote?
58
Crowley won for the SNP with what percentage of the vote?
42
How many MPs won by an absolute majority
319
How many MPs secured a seat with less than 40% of the vote
50
List the pros
1) simple as voters understand what they’re voting for
2) close constituency MP bond
3) keeps extremist parties out
4) produces a majority in the commons
5) traditional as it has been used throughout British history
List the cons
1) gives an advantage to parties with concentrated support
2) favours larger parties
3) winners bonus means that the winning party is overrepresented. The conservatives won 56% of seats with 43% of votes
4) failed to deliver a decisive majority in the three elections before 2019
What was the SNPs seat to vote ratio?
7.4% from 3.9%
What was the Line Dems seat to vote ratio?
1.7% from 11.5%
Where is conservative support concentrated?
The rural south
Where is Labour support concentrated?
Urban regions
List the votes per seat of the 4 major parties
SNP - 26,000
Conservatives - 38,000
Labour - 50,000
Lib Dems - 336,000
Green 866,000
Why does the winner have no interest in reform?
Because it had just secured them a victory
What is a safe seat?
One where the incumbent has a considerable majority over the closest candidate and is largely immune to swings in voting choice. The same political party retains the seat from election to election
How many seats were safe in 2019 according to the ERS
319
List the implications of safe seats
1) parties pay less attention so they receive less information
2) MPs are less accountable for their actions
3) votes are wasted regardless of whether you support the winning or losing party
4) Votes are not of equal value
5) ERS estimated that 70.8% of votes were not decisive and so effectively wasted
What is a minority seat
A seat where the incumbent has a small majority or plurality of the vote. It is generally agreed that they are seats where the result is in doubt and they change between parties frequently.
In how many seats did the winner win by less than 10%
141
What are the implications of marginal seats?
1) parties concentrate their efforts there so they receive much more attention and information
2) votes are more valuable and influential
3) individuals leaders matter more
4) many use tactical voting to block a party they dislike
Who supports FPTP
Conservatives and Labour, as it is currently working for them
Who opposes FPTP?
Pressure groups like the electoral reform society and unlock democracy. Even the SNP support reform, despite being major beneficiaries