Elections Flashcards by Charlie Kaye

What type of system in FPTP

pluralist system in which the electorate votes for one candidate in their constituency

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How many votes do you need to win with FPTP

The most
Don’t need to win a majority

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(voting) What are the advantages of FPTP

simple
easy to understand - most votes wins

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(voting) What are the disadvantages of FPTP

wasted votes
tactical voting
choice of candidate is made by the party

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(constituencies) What are the advantages of FPTP

represented by one MP

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(constituencies) What are the disadvantages of FPTP

majority may have voted against their representative
ignore safe seats
differing populations in constituencies

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in 2019 how many seats were marginal

only 67

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(Parties) What are the advantages of FPTP

creates a two-party system - clear choice
difficult for extremist parties to win seats

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(Parties) What are the disadvantages of FPTP

favours parties with concentrated support
minor parties win fewer seats
wasted votes
difficult for new parties

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in 2015 how many votes and seats did UKIP win

3.9 million votes

only 1 seat

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(Government) What are the advantages of FPTP

result in majority single party governments
clear mandate
easily help accountable
coalitions are rare

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(Government) What are the disadvantages of FPTP

exaggerates the mandate of government
voting system designed for two party system

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what do majoritarian systems require a candidate to gain

50% plus one vote to win

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What’s an example of a majoritarian system

the Supplementary Vote (SV)

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where is the Supplementary Vote (SV) used

elections for the mayor of London, directly elected metro mayors and police and crime commissioners

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what does a candidate need to win with the Supplementary Vote (SV)

needs to gain 50% plus one vote to win

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what type of constituencies use the Supplementary Vote (SV)

single-member constituencies

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What’s an example of a proportional system

single transferable vote (STV)

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where is the single transferable vote (STV) used

Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish local council elections

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How are seats allocated with the single transferable vote (STV)

seats are allocated in proportion to the number of votes received by each party

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what type of constituencies use the single transferable vote (STV)

Large multi-member constituencies

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What’s an example of a mixed system

The Additional Member System (AMS)

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where is the Additional Member System (AMS) used

Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament elections and the London Assembly

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Supplementary Vote (SV) advantages

increased legitimacy
choice

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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

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%