Election Systems Flashcards
Explain how First Past The Post (FPTP) works.
- Plurality system of voting:
> Voter selects a single candidate.
> Candidate wins by getting one more vote than their nearest rival aka the most votes in the constituency to win a seat.
> = winner-takes-all effect.
> Used in Westminster.
Example of FPTP in the constituency of Finchley and Golders Green in 2019.
Example of FPTP in Scotland in 2019.
Example of FPTP with UKIP in 2015.
- Conservative MP Mike Freer won the seat.
> Despite only having 43% of the vote.
- SNP won 81% of the Scottish seats.
> Despite only having 45% of Scottish votes.
- UKIP won only 1 seat.
> Despite gaining over 3M votes.
Outline the major pros and cons of the FPTP voting system
(is FPTP fit for purpose?) .
Pros:
> Allows for strong majority governments that can effectively govern and deliver on manifesto promises - no compromise with a coalition govt.
> Voters have a close relationship with their MP in their constituencies.
> Manages to keep out extremist parties by the ‘winner takes all’ effect, keeps a 2 party system.
> 2 party format mirrors divide in society.
Cons:
> Tremendous lack of representation, which is arguably an underpinning aspect of democracy, millions of wasted votes.
> A close relationship with MP is not unique to FPTP.
> Discriminates against all smaller parties, and two party dominance creates an allusion of choice.
: 2019 - 22.6M votes were wasted out of 32M.
Explain how Additional Member System (AMS) voting works.
AMS combines FPTP, for single member constituencies, as well as a closed list system as a second vote where voters choose a party, used to ‘top-up’ the constituency results.
> Used in Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
How does AMS improve upon FPTP?
- The closed list element creates greater proportionality as it provides more seats.
- Improves upon representation as there’s more choice for voters, a candidate and a second party.
> Green Party
= 1 seat in Westminster (FPTP)
= 6 seats in Scottish Parliament (AMS) - FPTP element keeps the strength of a good majority.
- Closed list system improves upon institutional/societal racism and sexism, as candidates are unknown to voters.
What are the main issues with AMS?
- The issue of accountability, as the closed system means that you can hold the party accountable not the person, and the other representative via the list isn’t tied to a certain geographical area.
- Ability for extremist parties to be voted in easier.
Explain how Supplementary Vote (SV) voting works.
- SV includes a 1st preference vote and a 2nd preference supplementary vote.
> If a candidate wins more than 50% of the vote by the 1st preference, then they are elected.
> However, if no candidates reach 50% on 1st preference, the top two candidates remain in the election, and the other candidates votes are redistributed between these two to decide a winner.
> Used in Mayoral Elections.
Outline pros and cons of SV.
Pros:
> Improves upon FPTP, as the outcomes are slightly more proportional, as candidates must win with majorities not pluralities, which one could argue is a more legitimate victory.
> Strong constituency link remains as it’s single member, and win with a majority, directly accountable.
> If it were used in elections, it would encourage strong governments.
: Andy Burnham 67% votes 2021 on 1st preference.
Cons:
> Still favours a 2 dominant party system, as candidates need a substantial amount of first preference votes.
Explain how Single Transferable Vote (STV) voting works.
- Works in multi-member constituencies, where voters choose preferentially for their 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc choice of candidates.
- Candidates are elected if they achieve a certain quota of votes.
- Used in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Outline the pros and cons of STV.
Pros:
- Most choice of any voting system, proportional results, and less wasted votes.
- Encourages diverse power sharing dynamics with compromise.
- Voters can specifically choose who to take their grievances to.
Cons:
- May be confusion as to who to hold to account.
- Very prone to spoilt ballots, particularly by donkey voting, when a someone votes in the order as the candidates appear on the list.
What is a referendum?
What are they used for?
- A vote in which the electorate can express their opinion on a particular issue of public policy.
> A device of direct democracy.
> Not legally binding to Parliament (unless legislated so) is merely advisory, though it is rare for Parliament to ignore a referendum result.
- Used for constitutional changes, to settle disputes within a party, to fulfil manifesto pledges.
Representative Democracy versus Direct Democracy.
Representative Democracy = UK (constitutionally)
> send 650 elected representatives to Parliament, these MPs should constitutionally follow the Trustee Model of representation, acting on the people’s behalf as a trusted and legitimised figure.
Direct Democracy is where the people are the main decision-makers on the big issues of the day, via Initiatives and Referendums.
2011 Alternative Vote Referendum results:
68% No - 32% Yes
42% turnout
1998 Good Friday Agreement results:
71% Yes - 28% No
81% turnout
2016 EU Referendum (Brexit) results:
52% Leave - 48% Remain
72% turnout
