8marks - additional member system

Question 1

One advantage of AMS is that it gives more choice to voters

Answer 1

This is because voters are given the ability to vote twice. They can vote for a candidate in the first vote and a party in the second.

For example, someone could vote SNP in the constituency but vote Green on the list vote.

Question 2

Another advantage of AMS is that it is fairer to smaller parties

Answer 2

This is because AMS is more likely to result in minority parties gaining representation.

For example, in the current Parliament there are 8 Green MSPs.

Question 3

Another advantage of AMS is that it gives a more proportional result

Answer 3

This is because the percentage of votes received by a party is more closely reflected in the percentage of seats gained

For example, in 2021, the SNP gained 48% of the vote and gained 49% of the seats (1% gap).

Question 4

One disadvantage of AMS is that it is a more complex system

Answer 4

This is because voters can get confused as there are 2 ballot papers.

For example, there were many spoilt ballots in the Scottish Parliament Election as people were numbering the parties instead of just choosing one.

Question 5

Another disadvantage of AMS is that there are too many representatives

Answer 5

This is because people may become confused over who to contact with an issue since there are 8 MSPs representing each voter

For example, Jackie Dunbar was contacted by storm Arwen victims in 2021 with issues that she isn’t supposed to deal with.

Question 6

Another disadvantage of AMS is that coalition/minority governments often formed

Answer 6

This is because it is a proportional system, therefore it is difficult to get a majority government elected in Scottish Parliament elections.

For example, in 2021, SNP had to form a power sharing agreement with the Greens to have a majority for key votes.