U1T3 First Past The Post

Question 1

What’s the difference between a marginal seat and a safe seat.

Answer 1

A safe seat is the term for a constituency where the result is almost certain that the same party will win at every general election.
A marginal seat is the opposite, where election outcomes are always in doubt and therefore where parties concentrate their efforts in winning them over.

Question 2

Which pressure groups support the reform of the FPTP system?

Answer 2

The ‘electoral reform society’ and ‘Unlock Democracy’ are both in strong support of this.

Question 3

Main features of fptp

Answer 3

1. Simple plurality system
   • The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they don’t get over 50% of the vote. system. Winner takes all.
2. Single-member constituencies
   • The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, each electing one MP to the House of Commons.
3. Tends to produce single-party governments
   • Often results in clear majorities, helping to form strong and stable governments. Winner takes all in individual constituencies