12MAnalyse the effectiveness of one electoral system you have studied in providing fair representation.

Question 1

AMS - representation

Answer 1

• AMS is effective in providing greater voter choice, which in turn provides greater representation for the electorate.
• This can be seen from the two ballot systems from which the AMS operates, where voters get one vote for their candidate and another for party.
• Evidence of a varied choice and vote from the public is the area of Prestwick in Scotland which has 5 SNP MSPs, 3 Conservative MSPs and 2 Scottish Labour MSPs.
• Arguably, this shows AMS provides a greater choice as there was a split in terms of voting in Prestwick and therefore many people are represented as a result of this widespread choice and selection of the electorate.
• However, AMS is less effective in providing fair representation.
• This is because some people will still apply tactical voting to their first vote with AMS as it uses FPTP to allocate seats for the 73 constituencies.
• Evidence of this is having 8 MSPs can be confusing for the electorate; often constituents favour the constituency MSP creating a two-tier system of MSPs. Many can be overwhelmed with the range of choice.

Question 2

AMS Proportionality

Answer 2

• Proportionality makes AMS an effective electoral system that provides fairer representation.
• This is because it uses a two-balance system which makes it more democratic.
• Evidence of this can be seen in the 2021 Scottish parliamentary election where the SNP had 47.4% of the vote share and received 49% of the seats in Holyrood.
• Arguably this 2021 election shows the percentage of votes earned by the SNP is more reflective in the share of seats in Holyrood.
• However, AMS is not proportional enough and therefore lacks effective fairer representation.
• This is because the percentage of votes does not reflect the percentage of seats parties win.
• Evidence of this is in the 2021 election Liberal Democrats who got 6.9% of the vote and SNP who got 47% vote, however Liberal Democrats only won 5 seats alongside SNP who won 63 seats.

Question 3

AMS Constituency links

Answer 3

• AMS can be seen as less representative when looking at links between MSPs and regions.
• This can be seen when examining that there are no by-elections for list MSPs when they step down.
• This is evident in November 2020 Michelle Ballantyne resigned from the Scottish Conservatives representing South Scotland (region).
• Arguably this shows that due to her being replaced by the Conservative Party rather than voters at a by-election this negates the public’s choice and
  therefore, the electoral system of AMS does not provide greater choice than FPTP in this regard.
• AMS can be seen as effective in providing fairer representation.
• This is because AMS gives a clear link to a local candidate for your constituency and you get more representatives, although confusing it is fair that the public have a variety of representatives from a range of parties to go to with issues.
• Evidence of this is in East Dunbartonshire, Amy Callaghan, was elected with 19,672 in 2019.

Question 4

AMS stability

Answer 4

• AMS is an electoral system that provides fair representation as it creates stability.
• This is because there is an increased chance of a coalition government as it is hard to get a majority.
• Evidence of this is in 2021, when the SNP made a power sharing deal with the Green Party, and as a result, the Greens who have just 8 seats in Holyrood, now have 2 Ministerial roles in the Scottish government.
• Arguably, this shows as there is less chance of a majority government, the winning party is more likely to make deals with smaller parties in order to pass their bills, and as a result the larger party will need to give something in return, potentially creating an unstable government.
• However, there is evidence to suggest that AMS creates a government which over-represents smaller parties.
• This can be seen as in a coalition government smaller parties gain too much control and power relative to their size.
• Evidence of this is the Green New deal proposed by the SNP government, as a result of a push from the Green party which will be implemented over 25 years and will cost 170 billion pounds.