Elections Flashcards
What type of system in FPTP
pluralist system in which the electorate votes for one candidate in their constituency
How many votes do you need to win with FPTP
The most
Don’t need to win a majority
(voting) What are the advantages of FPTP
simple
easy to understand - most votes wins
(voting) What are the disadvantages of FPTP
wasted votes
tactical voting
choice of candidate is made by the party
(constituencies) What are the advantages of FPTP
represented by one MP
(constituencies) What are the disadvantages of FPTP
majority may have voted against their representative
ignore safe seats
differing populations in constituencies
in 2019 how many seats were marginal
only 67
(Parties) What are the advantages of FPTP
creates a two-party system - clear choice
difficult for extremist parties to win seats
(Parties) What are the disadvantages of FPTP
favours parties with concentrated support
minor parties win fewer seats
wasted votes
difficult for new parties
in 2015 how many votes and seats did UKIP win
3.9 million votes
only 1 seat
(Government) What are the advantages of FPTP
result in majority single party governments
clear mandate
easily help accountable
coalitions are rare
(Government) What are the disadvantages of FPTP
exaggerates the mandate of government
voting system designed for two party system
what do majoritarian systems require a candidate to gain
50% plus one vote to win
What’s an example of a majoritarian system
the Supplementary Vote (SV)
where is the Supplementary Vote (SV) used
elections for the mayor of London, directly elected metro mayors and police and crime commissioners
what does a candidate need to win with the Supplementary Vote (SV)
needs to gain 50% plus one vote to win
what type of constituencies use the Supplementary Vote (SV)
single-member constituencies
What’s an example of a proportional system
single transferable vote (STV)
where is the single transferable vote (STV) used
Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish local council elections
How are seats allocated with the single transferable vote (STV)
seats are allocated in proportion to the number of votes received by each party
what type of constituencies use the single transferable vote (STV)
Large multi-member constituencies
What’s an example of a mixed system
The Additional Member System (AMS)
where is the Additional Member System (AMS) used
Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament elections and the London Assembly
Supplementary Vote (SV) advantages
increased legitimacy
choice
Supplementary Vote (SV) disadvantages
not proportional
difficult for minor parties to win
still wasted votes
can be elected without majority
can result in the ‘least-worse’ candidate
Single Transferable Vote (STV) advantages
proportional
greatest choice
Single Transferable Vote (STV) disadvantages
coalitions are likely
link between voter and representative is weak
complex counting system
complex voting process
Additional Member System (AMS) advantages
more proportional than FPTP
choice
split-ticket voting
Additional Member System (AMS) disadvantages
not perfectly proportional
two classes of representatives are elected
cannot choose between individual candidates
majority government less likely then FPTP
complex voting system
over which age are people more likely to vote Conservative
39
in the 2019 what percentage of those 18-24 voted
under 55%
in the 2019 what percentage of those 75+
more then 80%
(class) traditionally which class were more likely to vote for Labour
the working class
(class) what has been happening since the 1980s
class dealignment
(class) in the 2016 EU referendum who was more likely to vote Remain
Middle-class voters
(class) in the 2016 EU referendum who was more likely to vote Leave
Working-class voters
(class) In the 2019 general election who was more likely to vote Conservative
all classes
(class) In the 2019 general election who were people with degree level education more likely to vote for
Labour
which gender were more likely to Remain
women
in 2019 who were women slightly more likely to vote
Labour
who are BAME voters more likely to vote for
Labour
What percentage of BAME voters voted Labour in 2019
around 64%
what type of constituencies are more likely to vote Conservative
rural and southern constituencies
what type of constituencies are more likely to vote Labour
urban areas
what did the Conservatives manage to break in 2019
The Red Wall
what is rational choice theory
voters weigh up all the political options logically and vote for the party that will deliver the best result for them
what is issue voting
voters prioritise one issue above all others and vote purely based on that issue
what are Valence issues
those that are universally accepted to be important and choose a party based on how well they think they’ll perform.
Examples of Valence issues
Economy
Healthcare
Education
in the 1997 election, what was Labour’s majority
179 seat majority
in the 1997 election, what percentage of BAME voters voted Labour
70%
in the 1997 election, what percentage of white voters voted Labour
43%
in the 1983 election, what was the conservative majority
144 majority
in the 2019 election, what was the conservative majority
80 seat majority
In 2015 how many votes and seats did UKIP get
3.9 million votes
1 seat
In 2015 how many votes and seats did the Green Party get
1.1 million votes
1 seat
In 2015 how many votes and seats did the SNP get
1.5 million votes
56 MPs
What are 3 reasons for calling a referendum
Constitutional change
Political forces
Party or government management
When was the North East England Devolution referendum
2004
What was the result of the North East England Devolution referendum
78% of voters in the northeast rejected the plan
What was the turnout of the North East England Devolution referendum
48%
When was the Welsh Devolution referendum
2011
What was the result of the Welsh Devolution referendum
63% Yes
What was the turnout of the Welsh Devolution referendum
35.6%
When was the AV referendum
2011
What was the result of the AV referendum
68% voted to keep FPTP
What was the turnout of the AV referendum
42%
When was the Scottish Independence referendum
2014
What was the result of the Scottish Independence referendum
55% voted to remain
What was the turnout of the Scottish Independence referendum
84.5%
When was the EU referendum
2016
What was the result of the EU referendum
52% voted to leave
48% voted to remain
What was the turnout of the EU referendum
72%
