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4-Politics-Paper 1- Uk Politics And Ideas > 2- Electoral Systems > Flashcards

2- Electoral Systems Flashcards

1
Q

Example of gov from minority votes

A

2001 blair
Large labour majority- 413 seats
41% votes

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2
Q

Examples of pr systems being majority

A

2011- scottish parliamentary elections- ams- snp majority
2011- ams- welsh assembly elections- labour majority

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3
Q

Examples of coalition and minority gov under pr

A

-2007,2011,2016- northern ireland assembly elections- stv
All coaliution- DUP and Sinn Fein

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4
Q

Example of fptp not being proportional

A

2015 UKIP
Just under 4 mill votes- 12.5% votes cast- 3rd in terms of votes
One seat commons

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5
Q

Examples of safe seats

A

Huntingdonshire
Bristol west one of safest- labour
47,000 votes in 2017
9,000 votes for conservatives

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6
Q

Most marginal seats examples
2019

A

Kensington
Bedford
Bury north

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7
Q

Fptp example no votes and seats

A

Greens 2.7% votes, 1 seats- 0.2% seats
Lib dems 11.5% votes, 11 seats- 1.5% seats

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8
Q

What are the main functions of elections

A

-choose a respresentative- speak on behalf
-choose a government- confirm legitimacy o it
Leader of the largest party- invited to be pm
-hold the gov and mps to account
Electorate can renew decision, reject unpopular party each election
-some influence on policy
Major parties may be defeated so change decisions to re-think unpopular policies
Major parties may steal successful minority policies
Gives voice for minority gov
-participation in politics
Through voting, campaigning or running as candidate

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9
Q

Criteria to compare electoral systems

A

-provide voters w/ clear choice
-produce fair and representative outcome
-lead to strong, legit gov with clear mandate that can pass laws effectively and heldf account for actuons
-provide effective link between reps and constituencies

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10
Q

Reforming electorate- essay plans- main points

A

Implications on representation
Effect on voter choice
Impact on formation of gov

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11
Q

Impact of diff electoral systems on government

A

-AMS in scottish parliament and welsh assembly mroe coalitions and minorityes
-but relatively stable
-fptp not always majority
2017 minority- supply and confidence with dup
2010 coalition

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12
Q

Impact on parties and party systems- electoral systems

A

-more parties sucesfully competing in elections

-small extremist parties more likely

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13
Q

Example of smaller power gaining power with pr

A

2007 scottish parliament
Greens.2. Seats
But used for supply and confidence iwth snp

Sae w/ may w/ dup un 2017

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14
Q

Impact on voters and voter choice pr

A

-reduce wasted votes
-safe seats less likely
-increase in turnout not seen
Too complicated
Votes in disolved elections seen less important than general elections

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15
Q

Voter turnout pr vs fptp

A

Scottish local elections- highest ever 63.5% 2021
General election- 67.3%

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16
Q

Fptp

A

Simple pluraality voting system
Person with the most votes in constituency is elected
-place cross next to name prefered candidate
Largest no. Seats forms gov

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17
Q

Advantages fptp

A

-one party gov
Good working majority
Clear mandate
Stable-make decisions effectively
-strong mp-constitiuent links
Effective representation
Constituent surgeries
-extremist parties unlikely to be elected
-simple and speedy
68% voted in favour fptp over av in 2011

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18
Q

Disadvantages fptp

A

-dont need majority
Fewer than half mps secure majority of votes in constituency
-not proportional or representative
Geographical concentration needed
Esp against lib dems and greens
-‘safe seats’- reduce voter choice and decrease turnout
-‘marginal’- small majority of mp sitting
Campaign is focused there
Not all votes equal

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19
Q

Sv

A

Supplementary voting
Majoritarian 50+%
London mayor (every 4 y), pccs
2nd vote used when under 50%

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20
Q

Sv advantages

A

Strong mandate
Majoritarian 50+%
Greater support
Moderate campaigns- gain 2nd preference important
Simple
Help independant candidates

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21
Q

Sv disadvantages

A

-could win on 2nd vote even if most on 1st vote (as long as under 50% on first)
-not proportional
Irrelevant with mayoral elections as only one candiate
-if westminster- won majority seats but minority votes

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22
Q

Ams

A

Additional member system
Hybrid system
Used in elections in disolved bodies- scottish parliament, welsh assembly
Compromise as less radical
1st vote- mps
2nd vote- top up vote for party

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23
Q

Ams advantages

A

-more proportional- ‘top up
-retains strong mp-constituency link
-gives broadest choice to voters - to ‘split their ticket’
Same party on both or one on party and one on mep
-coalition more likely- compormise and coalition between oarties
-bote minor parties
2016- 6 seats to greens in scottish parliament

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24
Q

Ams disadvantages

A

-2 types members
1 -constituency with those duties
2- top up votes
-under closed list system (party_- party leadership ranking decides candidates rather than voters
-claim confusing for voters- spoilt ballots higher in scotland and wales
-minority or coalition gov - not as efficient

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25
Q

Stv

A

Single transferable vote
-proportinal voting system
-northern ireland and scotish council elections
Ni- broadest representation to reduce tensions if one party
-number choices prefertial
Less constituencies- 18 in ni
More than one rep per party per constituency
-candidate needs to achieve quota

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26
Q

Stv advantages

A

Proportional outcome
High voter choice- voters can vote for candidates diff parties and prefer between candidates same party
Fewer wasted votes
No safe seats- no need o tactical vote
More representative- multiple mps to talk to within constituency
-power struggles in ni- more proportional

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27
Q

Stv disadvantages

A

-complicated- confuses voters- increase spoilt ballots
Long time to reach result
-voter- rep weaker relatinship
-easier extremist parties

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28
Q

Choice- fptp

A

Limited choice
1 mp/constituency
1 mp/party
-no choice- safe seat, limited

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29
Q

Choice- sv

A

More choice than fptp as have 1st and 2nd preference

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30
Q

Choice0 ams

A

-gives choice mps and party
1st mp-local
2nd -party chooses mp
-more proportiopnal
Less wasted votes
To vote small party may increase turnout in elections

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31
Q

Choice- stv

A

-may have multiple mps per party
Larger constituencies- as many candidates as seats
Less wasted botes
To vote smaller oarty may increase turnout

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32
Q

Fair and representative outcome- fptp

A

Not either- need most not majority
-safe seat -unfiar
-high no. Wasted votes

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33
Q

Fair and representative outcome- sv

A

-moderately more representative
As long as 50%+ dont need 2nd vote
-bit fairer
-not proportional

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34
Q

Fair and representation outcome- ams

A

-both
-can vote diff parties for mp and party vote
-less watsed votes
-safe seats less affectibg

35
Q

Stv-fair and representative

A

Most on both
-less wasted votes
-safe seats less affectibf

36
Q

Strong-legit gov with clear madate, accountability- fptp and sv

A

-not clar majority as majoritarian not proprtional
-more likely on eparty ruling but not necessarily- has been minoruty or coalition
-clear accountablility- one party to blame

37
Q

Ams and stv- Strong-legit gov with clear madate, accountability

A

-clearer mandate as proportional
-strong gov less likely as coalition more likely
-no one votes for coalition
-more accountable as more likely coalition and diff parties- less clear who to blame

38
Q

Effective mp constituent link- fptp and sv

A

650 small constitucneis
-close link between
Surgeries on friday
Pmq on behalf

39
Q

Effextive mp constituency link - ams

A

-have both mp and party vote so strong link
-party mps voted diff

40
Q

Effective mp constituent link- stv

A

-larger constuencys
Less close link- travel further for sugeries
-bit may have diff party for constituent
So be rep by party of choice
-email correspondants
-no safe seats- worth votiing

41
Q

Example of local referendum

A

2012
Birmingham and several other cirties
Should have democratically elected mayor

No 58:42

42
Q

How many referendums since feb 2005

A

6

43
Q

How many mayoral referendums (to have one) has there been in eng and wales

A

Over 50

44
Q

Evidence public ARE educated on referendum issues

A

Issue scottish independance taught formally in all scottish schools

45
Q

Callaghan opinion on referendums

A

‘Little rubber life raft into which the whole party may one day have to climb’

Agree to disagree

46
Q

2019- the brexit party did not win any seats- how is this unfair?

A

Recieved 640,000 votes- 2%, yet no seats
If in pr would have 13 seats

47
Q

Wasted votes

A

Votes which do not directly contribute to an mp being elected

48
Q

2019 general election results- proportional?

A

Con 43.6% vote. 56% seats
Lib 11.5% vote 1.5% seats

49
Q

Example how ams works in scotland 2021

A

Conservatives 5 seats but 23% votes, so had a top up of 26 seats

50
Q

Greens in scotland 2021

A

0 constituency seats, 8% votes, so recieved 8 seats on regional list seats

51
Q

Example of saafe seat

A

Bristol west- labour 47,000 votes, 9,000con. -2017

52
Q

Example how winner overrewarded

A

Alasdair mcdonnell 2015
Sdlp in northern ireland- won with 24.5% votes

53
Q

Examples of marginal seats

A

2019
Bedford, kensington, bury north

54
Q

Example of extremism with pr

A

Dutch right wing populist ‘party for freedom’ became 2nd largest party in 2017

55
Q

Impact welsh assemby elections w/ ams

A

Just 2/5 elections since 2003 have formed majorities
2021- labour minority
2016- labour and lib dem

56
Q

1st national referendum

A

1975
Eec to eu

57
Q

Scotland devolution election

A

97
74% yes
26% no
Turnouut 60%

58
Q

N ireland- good friday agreement

A

71% yes
29% no
1998
81% turnout

59
Q

Example when tyrnout for referendum high

A

81% 1998- good friday agreement
85% scotland 2014
72% 2016- brexit

60
Q

Example election where close

A

Wales devolution 1997
50.3% yes
49.7% no
Turnout 50%

61
Q

Example turnout low

A

34.6% 1998- london mayor
27.7% 2004- n.e region
50% 1997- welsh assembly

62
Q

Referendum

A

A vote on a specific issue
Q- yes or no answer
Tool of irect democracy used w/in representative democracy
Called at gov’s discresion
Results advisory rather than binding- unlikely to be ignored

63
Q

Electoral commission

A

Oversee way referendums run
Checks wording of referendum q
Ensure as objective as possible
Checks expendaiture undertaken by officially approved ‘ye’ ‘no’ campaigns organisation

64
Q

Circumstances referendums helf

A

Decide major constitional change
Safegaurd constitutional change
Reach a decision when gov party splut
Unite nation on v decisive issue
As a part of a deal betweem coalition parties

65
Q

Decide major constitutional change- examples

A

Devolution
Scottish independance

66
Q

Safeguaurd a constitutional change

A

98- good friday agreement
Alread agreed but needed ni approval

67
Q

Reach a decision when gov party split

A

Brexit- hope to unite conservatives

68
Q

Unite nation on v. Decisiove issue

A

Brexit- 2016
Good friday agreement- 98
Scottish independance- 2014

69
Q

As a part of a deal between coalition partnera

A

Av 2011
Compromise on pr in lib dem manifesto

70
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy

A

Representation
Participation
Legitimisation

71
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- intro

A

Loa- against
-a healthy democracy has representation,participation and legitimisation/accountability
Referendums always controversial- improve or weaken democracy?
Clinch example- brexit- failed in all 3 factors (apart from relatively high turnout)

72
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- representation- for

A

-form direct democracy- give the people a say on controversial issues- devolution, electoral reform
-give direct voice to. The people- outcome, clear representation of people on particular issue
Rather than rely on reps in parliament- who may put party before people
-allow poplar sovereignty to be expressed directly
-check on the power of the executive- 2016 in betweem 2015 and 2017

73
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- against- representation

A

-bad for representation- threat in representative democracy
Looses opportunity for debate and scruitiny
Expertise lost- ni protocol needed- nuance lost
-challenges parliamentary soverignty- no room for majority
-tyranny of the majoirty- no room for negotiation
Majority win- forcing their will onto others who ‘suffer’
Less representation- slim majoirity- 50.3% wales

74
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- participation- for

A

-engagement of public in political process0 another opportunity to vote
-hold politicians to accoutnt- between elections
-educate and inform- 2016- eu great debate bbc (sadiq khan remain vs boris leave)
Informative porgrammes broadcast- 2011 av
-turnot can be high- 85% 2014
Encouraging in ‘democratic deficit’ ‘participation crisis’
-participate local issues- over 50 referendums in eng and wales to have elected mayors

75
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- participation- againnst

A

-‘participation crisis’ sill present - av 42.2%- low turnout
-low turnout- reflect public opinion on referendums being less ‘significant’ compared to ge
Worsening participation and health of uk. Democracy
-misinformation
‘Leave’ ‘we send £350mill to the eu each week, let’s fund our nhs instead’
‘Remain’ ‘leaving the eu would cost each household 4,300 per year’

76
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- legitimisation- for

A

-clear outcomes on tricky political q- grants legitimacy to major constitutional change such as devolution
Esp important if gov not have strong mandate- harold wilson- eec had 301 minority gov
Equally to ‘entrench’ decision- 1998- good friday agreement made- need confirmation on such a divisive issue
-electoral commission- oversee referendums independanntly

77
Q

Evaluate the view that the use of referendums is good for the health of uk democracy- legitimisation- against

A

-despite electoral commission- positively charged words ‘agree’ ‘improve’ more likelyt to have positive outcome- research european referendums
-clear answers not the case with slim majority
-cant hold ourselves to account- may later realise wrong- but can hold gov to account

78
Q

Example of how cant hold public to account

A

Brexit
Apr 2019- 58% would vote remain

79
Q

Evaluating use of referendums
- diff groups

A

People voting in referendums
Votes by mps in parliament
Gov decisions- cabinets

80
Q

Evaluating use of referendums- voters- yes

A

Voice- deciison making- more power- controversial decision needed
-access to more info
Decision clear

81
Q

Evaluating use of referendums- voters/people- no

A

Less experienced/education/opportunity to debate
Biggger threshold should be required
Problems with low turnouut- not represnetative- lack legitimacy
Public may be more influenced by social media and fake news- dont have civil service
Cant be held to account

82
Q

Evaluating use of referendums- votes by mps in paliamet

A

More experienced, involved in debates

BUT

Not representative of votes in safe seats
May prioritise parties over constituents- go with party hwhip
Filibuster- jrm

83
Q

Evaluating use of referendums- gov decisions - cabinet- yes

A

More experienced- their full time job- and have civil service
Can be held to account

84
Q

Evaluating use of referendums- gov deciisons- cabinet- no

A

Not in manifesto- eg. Emergency- dont have mandate
If dont have mandate- no mandate
If large majority- lack scrutiny

4-Politics-Paper 1- Uk Politics And Ideas (9 decks)

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