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Politics (Mr Drew) > AMS > Flashcards

AMS Flashcards

1
Q

What is AMS?

A

A hybrid system combining FPTP with a PR system, in this case one called a closed party list

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2
Q

Define closed party list

A

A PR system where voters vote for a list of candidates provided by a party. Based on the proportion of the votes it receives it will be awarded a number of seats from across large multi-member constituencies. The order of the candidates is determined by the party, with the higher preferences being the ones most likely to secure seats

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3
Q

Where is AMS used in Britain?

A

Scotland, Wales and the Greater London assembly

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4
Q

What are the two votes a voter will have?

A
  • one for a constituency candidate in the normal way
  • one for a party
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5
Q

What is the split between FPTP and lost seats in Scotland?

A

73 by FPTP and 56 via the list system

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6
Q

What was the split between FPTP and list seats in Wales?

A

40 seats are constituency based and 20 are decided by the list system

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7
Q

Those elected from party lists are free from what?

A

Constituency responsibilities

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8
Q

What was AMS designed to do?

A

Act as a compromise. Designed to be a system that is partly proportional, but also preserves the idea of parliamentary constituencies with an MP to represent them. It favours larger parties while also helping the smaller ones.

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9
Q

Explain how AMS works in Scotland and Wales

A
  • a proportion of seats are elected using FPTP
  • the remaining seats are elected on a regional closed party list system, using top up votes to make sure that the allocation of additional members make the overall results as reflective of voters interests as possible.
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10
Q

Explain the variable top up system

A

Adjusts the proportions of votes cast on the list system based on the over or under representation parties experienced with the FPTP seats. The seats awarded from the list system are adjusted to give more proportional results. It’s overall effect is to make the total result in seats close to proportional to the total votes cast in both systems

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11
Q

List the advantages of AMS

A
  • produces a broadly proportional outcome so is fair to all parties
  • gives voters two votes and so more choice
  • it combines preserving constituency representation with a proportional outcome
  • it helps small parties that cannot win constituency contests
  • list MPs can provide an extra layer of representation for voters who feel their constituency MP does not represent them
  • Ensures parties have the potential to win seats in every area. This means the government can’t ignore parts of the country
  • gerrymandering is rendered ineffective
  • minority rule prevented
  • allows for political diversity
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12
Q

List the drawbacks of AMS

A
  • produces two classes of representative, those with a constituency and those elected through the lists. The latter tens to be more senior
  • it is more complex than FPTP. Having two votes can confused some voters
  • it can result in the election of extremist candidates
    Parties can reward or sanction members by moving them up or down the candidate list
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13
Q

In the 2016 Scottish parliamentary elections, which two parties benefitted most from the allocation of regional list seats, accumulating 45 of the 56 together?

A

Labour and conservatives

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14
Q

What was the maximum discrepancy between the % of votes won in regional lists and the percentage of seats won?

A

The SNP won 7.1% more seats than there would be proportional to the number of votes they received in the regional list round

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15
Q

What percentage of the seats would the SNP have won under FPTP, and what did they actually win under AMS?

A

They would have won 81% with just 42% of the popular vote under FPTP, but actually won 49% under AMS

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16
Q

What is the proportion of constituency and party list seats in an AMS election?

A

There isn’t a set proportion, so it can vary from parliament to parliament. But the more FPTP seats, the less proportional the outcome will be

17
Q

How does the voting process work?

A

The voter will receive two separate ballot papers, and they should indicate their preference with a cross

18
Q

How does the counting process work?

A

The constituency ballots are resulted first on a single member plurality basis. The second ballot papers are then counted and additional members are added to try and make the results more proportional

19
Q

AMS is a type of what?

A

Mixed member proportional representation (MMPR)

20
Q

Where is MMPR used outside of Britain?

A

Germany and new Zealand

21
Q

What makes MMPR different from other voting systems?

A

Political parties are an official part of how the election works

22
Q

Why is the second vote often more representative of the electorates genuine political views?

A

Because there is no incentive to vote tactically, as there is at the FPTP constituency member stage

23
Q

What is gerrymandering?

A

Manipulating constituency boundaries so as to favour a particular party

24
Q

Give a statistic that suggests that AMS could lead to a participation crisis

A

The highest turnout levels in Scotland were 59%

25
Q

How can AMS help promote diversity?

A

Voters vote for a list of candidates from a party rather than voting for a candidate in particular, which can help prevent discrimination in the voting process. Historically, it has led to more female representation than in the commons, with women making up 35% of the Scottish parliament

26
Q

What elements of the design process for AMS give it a greater air of legitimacy?

A

It was purpose designed for all three bodies. The Edinburgh system was defined by a constitutional convention and political scientist consultants

27
Q

What is the main criticism of the way the d’hondt rule is implemented in AMS?

A

It tends to somewhat favour the one or two largest parties

28
Q

How much has participation increased in Welsh elections in the last 10 years?

A

5%

29
Q

How much has participation increased by in Scottish elections over the last 10 years?

A

13%

30
Q

What percentage of Scottish voters said AMS was their preferred system?

A

94

31
Q

What did the 2021 Scottish elections see an increase in?

A

The number of small parties and independent candidates standing in constituencies. With the number of parties rising from 10 to 16 and the number of independent candidates rising from 7 to 15

32
Q

What idea is discredited by the fact that the SNP won a near majority in the past Scottish election?

A

The idea that AMS is not capable of forming a strong government

33
Q

What was the DV score for the Scottish local council elections in 2017?

A

5.9%

Politics (Mr Drew) (42 decks)

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