9 markers Flashcards
Explain and analyse 3 electoral systems used in the UK
P1: FPTP
P2: AMS
3: STV
Explain and analyse three electoral systems used in the UK
Paragraph 1: FPTP
FPTP is a MAJORITARIAN system where voters vote for a party representative in their constituency and the party with the most MPs forms a government.
Used in Westminster elections.
Hasn’t produced a single party government since 1945 and we’ve ended up with coalitions like in 2010 between the conservatives and the liberal democrat’s. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Isn’t a very proportional system as a government can lose votes and gain seats and a government can be formed on less than a majority of votes but a majority of seats.
Makes it hard for third parties to emerge, for example in 2019 the Green party got 2% of the vote and only 0.2% for seats (1)
Explain and analyse three electoral systems used in the UK
Paragraph 2: AMS
AMS is a hybrid system between List PR and FPTP, where a voter gets two votes. They vote for a candidate in their area as in FPTP, and then for their favourite party. Votes are assigned based on FPTP, and then additional seats are distributed to increase the proportionality based on parties.
This is used in Scottish elections as a result of devolution.
AMS is very proportional, as it has a second vote designed to make the seats assigned proportional to how favoured the parties are in government.
It also creates high vote value as party choice is high - the inclusion of a national vote means smaller parties can become represented in government.
AMS however gives power to the central party, as they decide who fills the list pr seats, which leaves it open to manipulation of who gets seats.
Explain and analyse three electoral systems used in the UK
Paragraph 3: STV
STV is a system used in EU elections for Northern Ireland. It involves the expansion of constituencies, with multi member constituencies figured out, and a quota of votes to be elected figured out based on this number (eg: 3 seats = 33% of votes needed). 1st place votes are counted and any candidates exceeding the quote are elected, with their overflowing votes being redistributed to second place. If no one reaches the quota at any point,the lowest scoring candidate is eliminated and their votes redistributed to their second choice. This continues until all seats are filled.
STV creates a very proportional system as it allows for people to see fully how popular a candidate is. For this reason it is favoured by the Electoral Reform Commission.
However, it would inevitably create a hung parliament, which may not necessarily be a bad thing, but extends the election process, and it is hard otherwise understand which discourages participation.
