03 Electoral Systems

Question 1

Arguments to suggest that referendums enhance democracy?

Answer 1

• purest form of democracy, will of the people is clearly expressed
• can mend rifts within society
• lead to higher levels of turnout, and better mandate for government

Question 2

Arguments to suggest that referendums undermine democracy?

Answer 2

• lead to ‘tryanny of the majority’
• lead to a devisive political system
• lead to low turnout

Question 3

Evidence to suggest that referendums are the purest form of democracy?

Answer 3

• AV referendum (68% no)

- 1997 Scottish Devo Ref (74% yes)

Question 4

Evidence to suggest that referendums lead to ‘tyranny of the majority’?

Answer 4

• Brexit referendum where 51% of the people voted to leave
• -lead to minority views not being considered
• -politicians hide behind refs

Question 5

Evidence to suggest that referendums mend rifts within society?

Answer 5

Good Friday Agreement

-72% of the population voted in favour of the changes

Question 6

Evidence to suggest that referendums cause rifts within society?

Answer 6

Brexit Referendum
51% voted to leave
Scottish Indepedence Referendum
55% voted to remain

Question 7

Evidence to suggest that referendums combat voter apathy and lead to higher levels of participation?

Answer 7

Turnout for Indyref was 85%
Turnout for Brexit was 74%
–Conservative coalition where Tories only got 36% of the vote share meaning they didn’t have a mandate to carry out brexit

Question 8

Evidence to suggest that referendums cause low turnout?

Answer 8

• AV referendum turnout was 42%

- further devolution to north east ref was 48%

Question 9

Arguments to suggest that FPTP should be reformed

Answer 9

• the outcome of elections is not proportional
• votes are of unequal value
• prevents smaller parties getting into Parliament
• means a party is elected on less than 50% of vote

Question 10

Arguments to suggest that FPTP should not be reformed?

Answer 10

• system produces a strong and stable govt
• prevents extremist parties from breaking into system
• a referendum opposed change

Question 11

Evidence to suggest that the outcome of FPTP elections is not proportional or fair?

Answer 11

• UKIP received 12.6% of the vote and only 1 seat

- Lib Dems won 11.5% of the vote but only 11 seats (1.7% of seats)

Question 12

Evidence to suggest that FPTP prevents smaller parties from breaking into political system?

Answer 12

-UKIP won 12.6% of the vote but only 1 seat

Question 13

Evidence to suggest that FPTP allows parties to be elected on less than 50% of the popular vote?

Answer 13

• Conservatives in 2019, got 43% of the vote but got a 81 seat majority
• Labour party in 2005 got 35% of the vote but a 66 seat majority

Question 14

Evidence to suggest that FPTP produces a strong and stable government?

Answer 14

2019 GE produced an 81 seat majority government which dealt with COVID and Brexit
1983 produced a 144 seat majority

Question 15

Evidence to suggest that FPTP means extremist parties won’t be elected to Parliament?

Answer 15

UKIP received 12.6% of the vote but only 1 seat

Question 16

Evidence to suggest that FPTP shouldn’t be reformed as a referendum decisively opposed change

Answer 16

2013 AV referendum saw 68% no off a 42% turnout

Question 17

Arguments to suggest that elections enhance democracy?

Answer 17

• allow electorate to hold the government to account

- FPTP produces a strong and stable government

Question 18

Arguments to suggest that elections do not enhance democracy?

Answer 18

• danger elections lead to voter apathy

- FPTP produces a majoritarian government on less than 50% of the vote

Question 19

Evidence to suggest that elections allow the electorate to hold the government to account?

Answer 19

They reinforce consent to parties and give them a mandate to carry out its manifesto commitments. 2019, electorate gave Conservatives the mandate to carry out brexit

Question 20

Evidence to suggest that elections enhance democracy through providing a strong and stable government?

Answer 20

New Labour secured a 179 seat majority in 1997 where it then imposed democracy enhancing reforms such as devolution and the HoL reform

Question 21

Evidence to suggest that elections have low turnout which results in an undemocratic government?

Answer 21

1979 - 1997 = 74% turnout
1997 - 2019 = 64% turnout
2001 = 59%
Govt lacks democratic legitimacy

Question 22

Evidence to suggest that elections allow parties to be elected on less than 50% of the popular vote?

Answer 22

in 2005, Labour got 35% of the vote but a 66 seat majority

In 2019, the Conservatives got 43% of the vote and a 81 seat majority

Question 23

Evidence to suggest that elections allow parties to be elected on less than 50% of the popular vote?

Answer 23

in 2005, Labour got 35% of the vote but a 66 seat majority

In 2019, the Conservatives got 44% of the vote and a 81 seat majority

Question 24

Arguments to suggest that the various electoral systems in use in the U.K. have a significant impact on party representation?

Answer 24

• FPTP
• AMS
• STV

Question 25

Evidence to suggest that FPTP makes no difference to party representation?

Answer 25

Since 1979, 9 out of the last 11 have been won by either the Conservative and Labour Party.
Also, FPTP yields big majorities. Thatcher had a 144 majority in 1983.

Question 26

Evidence to suggest that FPTP does make a significant difference to party representation in the U.K.?

Answer 26

In 2010 a coaltion government was formed with the Conservatives and Lib Dem’s, shows that FPTP can yield results which mean more partied are represented fully in the Commons
In 2017 a minority government was formed with the Conservatives and the DUP

Question 27

Evidence to suggest that AMS does not make have any significance in party representation?

Answer 27

Scottish Politics has been dominated by one party, the SNP. They won 63 seats out of possible 129 seats.
In Wales, the Senedd has been dominated by Labour who won 30 out of the 60 seats available.

Question 28

Evidence to suggest that AMS does have a significant effect on party representation in the UK?

Answer 28

SNP dominance hasn’t always been the case.
In the 2003 Scottish Election, Labour won 56 seats and the SNP 35 meaning a coalition government was formed between Labour and Lib Dems

Question 29

Arguments to suggest that the electoral systems in operating in the UK affect voter choice

Answer 29

• FPTP
• AMS
• STV
• SV