​4. Should the UK use a majoritarian system for general elections?

Question 1

How are majoritarian systems different to simple plurality systems?

Answer 1

Simple Plurality System (FPTP) – Single member constituencies, disproportional outcomes, voters mark a single X next to their preferred candidate, winner needs a simple plurality

Majoritarian System (AV, SV) - Single member constituencies, disproportional outcomes, voters choose multiple candidates in order of preference, winner needs a majority

Question 2

How does the Supplementary Vote (SV) system work? Where is it used?

Answer 2

SV is used to elect mayors in England (including the Mayor of London) and for police and crime commissioners

• SV works with voters marking down their first and second preference candidates
• The first preference votes are then counted, if one candidate reaches a majority then they win instantly
• If no candidate reaches a majority then all but the top two candidates are eliminated, the second preference votes of the other candidates are checked and those votes go towards the top two candidates
• Then whichever of the remaining two candidates has the highest votes wins the election

Question 3

How does the Alternative Vote (AV) system work? Where is it used?

Answer 3

In the UK, AV Is used for Labour and Liberal Democrat leadership elections, House of Lords by-elections, House of Commons select committee chair elections

In Australia, AV is used for the Australian House of Representatives

• AV works with voters ordering the candidates by preference (1,2,3,4, etc.)
• Voters can choose as many or as little candidates as they wish
• First preference votes are checked and if one candidate wins a majority, the count is over
• If there was no majority, only the last place candidate would be eliminated. All the second preference votes who voted the eliminated candidate would be given to the other candidates. If there was still no majority, this process would be repeated as many times as necessary until there was a majority.

Question 4

majoritarian systems retains many of the advantages and disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 4

Advantages:

• Retains the MP-Constituency link – no need to redraw constituency boundaries
• Disproportional outcomes could produce a strong and stable majority government
• Majoritarian systems decrease the chance of vote splitting ( 1 left-wing party winning because the vote has been divided between 3 right-wing parties)

Disadvantages:
- It is not proportional

Question 5

Majoritarian systems increases, but does not guarantee majority mandates

Answer 5

By requiring winners to receive a majority of the vote, these elections provide stronger mandates

Question 6

Majoritarian systems reduce, but does not eliminate safe seats

Answer 6

The need to win a majority, rather than a simple plurality, could encourage competition and eliminate safe seats

However as some candidates will win on first preference seats, many safe seats will remain

Question 7

Reduces tactical voting, but not for all preferences – might also increase invalid ballots

Answer 7

Voters get more choice when voting and so there is less likely to be tactical voting

However, second preference votes can still be tactical, and the more complicated ballot papers can increase the number of invalid votes