Topic 7 - Elections And Referendums Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are the functions of elections in the UK?
Representation, choosing a government, participation, accountability, legitimacy, and influence over policy.
What makes elections free and fair?
Secret ballot, universal suffrage, one person one vote, legal oversight (Electoral Commission), and impartial conduct.
What current elections are there in the UK?
General elections, devolved assembly elections, local council elections, mayoral elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, European Parliament elections (pre-Brexit).
What are the four main types of electoral systems?
First Past the Post (FPTP), Supplementary Vote (SV), Single Transferable Vote (STV), Additional Member System (AMS).
What are the key differences between majoritarian and proportional representation systems?
Majoritarian systems (e.g., FPTP, SV) usually produce single-party governments and underrepresent smaller parties; PR systems (e.g., STV, AMS) reflect votes more accurately and often lead to coalitions.
How does First Past the Post operate?
Each constituency elects one MP; voters choose one candidate; the candidate with the most votes wins.
What is a safe seat?
A seat consistently won by the same party, e.g., Liverpool Walton - Labour.
What is a marginal seat?
A closely contested seat where the outcome is likely to change, e.g., Bury North in 2019.
How does FPTP create a 2-party system and single-party government?
Winner-takes-all rewards large parties and penalizes smaller ones; Labour and Conservatives dominate, often winning majorities on a minority of votes.
What are arguments in favor of FPTP?
Simple, quick results, strong constituency link, usually produces stable majority governments.
What are arguments against FPTP?
Disproportional, wasted votes, encourages tactical voting, underrepresents smaller parties (e.g., Greens won seat in 2019 despite few votes).
What is the Supplementary Vote (SV)?
Voters choose a 1st and 2nd preference; if no one gets 50%+ of 1st votes, the top two remain and 2nd preferences are redistributed.
What are the advantages of SV?
Majority support for the winner, reduces tactical voting, simple to use.
What are the disadvantages of SV?
Not proportional, 2nd preferences can distort results, only top two candidates benefit from preferences.
What is the Single Transferable Vote (STV)?
Multi-member constituencies where voters rank candidates; candidates must meet a quota; surplus and eliminated votes are redistributed.
What are the advantages of STV?
Highly proportional, wide choice, fewer wasted votes.
What are the disadvantages of STV?
Weak MP-constituent link, slower results.
What is the Additional Member System (AMS)?
Hybrid of FPTP and closed list PR; voters have two votes: one for a constituency candidate and one for a party list.
What are the advantages of AMS?
Proportional, retains local representation, helps smaller parties (e.g., Scottish Greens in Holyrood).
What are the disadvantages of AMS?
Creates two types of representatives, complex party control over lists.
What is the impact of different electoral systems on the type of government?
FPTP → majority governments (e.g., 2019 Conservatives); SV/AMS → coalitions/minority governments (e.g., SNP-Green agreement 2027); SV → stronger mandates for mayors.
What is the difference between majority, minority, and coalition governments?
Majority: one party with 326+ MPs; Minority: party governs alone but without a majority (e.g., 2017 Conservatives); Coalition: multiple parties share power (e.g., 2010 Conservative-Lib Dem).
What desire is there for electoral reform?
Strong in minor parties (Lib Dems, Greens); weak among major parties; Labour has internal pressure but no 2024 pledge; electoral reform campaigns like Make Votes Matter advocate PR.
What are referendums?
Direct votes by the electorate on a specific policy issue or constitutional question.
