Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom - Booklet 3

Question 1

When is first past the post system used?

Answer 1

In UK general elections

Question 2

Which electoral system is seen as the easiest one to use?

Answer 2

First Past The Post

Question 3

How do you use FPTP?

Answer 3

All you need to do is put an ‘x’ next to your preferred candidate on the ballot paper. The candidate with the greatest number of votes in the constituency wins the seat.

Question 4

What does the party with the second most votes become?

Answer 4

They become the official opposition

Question 5

Benefits of FPTP?

Answer 5

it is very simple to operate and understand, counting the votes is also very easy and quick so the results are found out and told to the public quickly. Usually by midnight which is only 2 hours after the polling stations are seen to shut. This simplicity may encourage a higher turnout.
it usually produces governments with an overall majority. This is likely to be argued as the winning party is likely to have an overall majority.
Close links between MP and constituent - because FPTP results in one MP per constituency and therefore promotes close links between the costituents and the constituency MP.

Question 6

Negatives to FPTP?

Answer 6

Many votes are wasted- only one MP is elected in each constituency, so all the voters who did not vote for him or her are not represented. They do not help elect anybody so their votes are seen as a waste of time.
FPTP is not proportional and does not reflect the wishes of the electorate.
Voters are represented unequally