Voting systems Flashcards
Advantages of Fptp
Creates strong majority governments-
Eg in 2019 the Conservative party won a majority with 365 seats, allowing them to push through bills easily
Simple and easy to understand- has higher turnouts, with nearly 70% voting in both of last general elections
Disadvantages of FPTP
Does not fairly reflect the voting share, as the conservatives got over 40% of the vote in 2019, however got over 55% of the seats
Many areas are safe seats, where some parties always win and those who want to vote against them fee their vote is wasted as it has not real impact, eg Lib Dem’s in Orkney and Shetland
Advantages of AMS
Fairly representative of the vote, parties get a share of seats more similar to the share of the vote than other systems, punishing parties in the regional system if the over represent in the local constituencies, eg in 2016 the Conservatives and labour won most regional seats , as the SNP dominated local seats , meaning they won less regionally
Fewer wasted votes than Fptp, as those who can’t win a local majority can still get regional seats, like the Green Party winning 6 regional seats , meaning their supporters were not having their vote wasted, despite it being too small a party to win locally
Disadvantages of AMS
In the second ( regional ) vote people vote for parties and not candidates, meaning they do not know who they are voting for and the decision is the parties, not the voters
Often creates minority governments ( eg 2016) which makes it more difficult to pass laws
Advantages of STV
No safe seats, meaning parties must campaign and work in all areas
Less votes wasted, as every vote counts, if your first vote fails then your second vote will count
Disadvantages of STV
Nearly always have to create coalition governments, meaning little progress can be made. All of Scotland’s 32 councils in 2017 are coalitions
Low turnout rate as some see it as confusing, with Aberdeen having a 37% turnout rate for the local council elections in 2017 .
