Elections 3

Question 1

Election definition:

Answer 1

A process where people are given the opportunity to choose representatives who will form representative institutions and government

Question 2

Electoral manifesto definition:

Answer 2

A statement produced by a political party at election times, stating what policies it intends to implement if it gains power

Question 3

Functions of elections

Answer 3

Electing an MP to represent the constituency
To deliver a verdict on the performance of the government in power
To choose between alternative political programmes
Granting authority to a new government

Question 4

Example of function of elections: Electing an MP to represent the constituency

Answer 4

Chris Grayling

Question 5

Example of function of elections: To deliver a verdict on the performance of the government in power

Answer 5

Lib dems 2010-15

Conservatives 2015-17

Question 6

Example of function of elections: To choose between alternative political programmes

Answer 6

2017 – Labour and Conservative parties have very different programmes

Question 7

Example of function of elections: Granting authority to a new government

Answer 7

Conservatives given authority to have an in/out referendum

Question 8

Example of: Winning party has authority to put into effect the commitments in its manifesto

Answer 8

Conservatives cut corporation tax following 2015 election

Question 9

Example of: Grants authority to the new govt. to do whatever necessary to protect security and welfare of the country

Answer 9

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 following 9/11

Question 10

What does it indicate if Sinn Fein does well

Answer 10

Growing support for independence from the UK

Question 11

What does it indicate if Democratic Unionists gain support

Answer 11

Demonstrates resistance to the demands of a nationalist community

Question 12

Features of FPTP

Answer 12

Each constituency returns 1 MP

Each party may nominate only 1 candidate in each constituency

Voters have only one vote each

Simple majority / Plurality system

Question 13

Example of feature of FPTP: Each constituency returns 1 MP

Answer 13

Chris Grayling Epsom

Question 14

Example of feature of FPTP: Each party may nominate only 1 candidate in each constituency

Answer 14

Under STV, parties often nominate multiple candidates

Question 15

Example of feature of FPTP: Voter have only one vote each

Answer 15

Under AV, voters vote for their first and second choice parties

Question 16

Example of feature of FPTP: Simple majority system

Answer 16

Hampstead and Kilburn 2010, Labour had just 32.8% of vote, 42 more than the conservatives and less than 1000 more than the third placed party, the lib dems

Question 17

Main effects of FPTP

Answer 17

There is a strong, unique relationship between a single MP and their constituency

Most MPs don’t win a majority in their constituency

Normally, a single party wins

System favours parties that concentrate votes in specific areas

Difficult for smaller parties

Votes are not of equal value

House of Commons doesn’t reflect political balance of the electorate accurately

Question 18

Example of effect of FPTP: There is a strong, unique relationship between a single MP and their constituency

Answer 18

Chris Grayling and Epsom

Question 19

Example of effect of FPTP: Most MPs don’t win a majority in their constituency

Answer 19

In 2015, SDLP MP in Belfast South had just 24.5% of the vote

Question 20

Example of effect of FPTP: Normally, a single party wins

Answer 20

Only once since 1974 has FPTP failed to give a majority government

Question 21

Example of effect of FPTP: System favours parties that concentrate votes in specific areas

Answer 21

UKIP got 12.5% of vote but were not concentrated and won only one seat
Similarly in 2010 the Liberal Democrats won 23% of votes but just 8% of seats

Question 22

Example of effect of FPTP: Difficult for smaller parties

Answer 22

UKIP won 1 seat from 12.7% of vote

Question 23

Example of effect of FPTP: Votes are not of equal value

Answer 23

E.g. Safe seat votes are useless, marginal seats are important such as Gower

Question 24

Example of effect of FPTP: House of Commons doesn’t reflect political balance of the electorate accurately

Answer 24

In 2015 conservatives won over 50% of seats with just 36% of votes

Question 25

Define disenfranchised

Answer 25

Deprived of the right to vote

Question 26

Positive elements of UK elections

Answer 26

All are free to participate

Free information and free media

They normally deliver a democratic mandate

Question 27

Negative elements of UK elections

Answer 27

Voting system is disproportional

Government are usually elected on less than half of the vote - They lack legitimacy

Large parties have disproportionate funds to contest the election

Question 28

Example of negative element of UK elections: Voting system is disproportional

Answer 28

UKIP got 12.7% of votes but just 1 seat

Question 29

Example of negative element of UK elections: Government are usually elected on less than half of the vote They lack legitimacy

Answer 29

Conservatives won just 35% of vote in 2015

Just 42.4% in 2017 despite won of highest votes ever

Question 30

Example of negative element of UK elections: Large parties have disproportionate funds to contest the election

Answer 30

Alexander Fraser has given the Conservatives £1.1M since the 2015 general election

Question 31

What is a majority system

Answer 31

An electoral system where the winning candidate is required to win an overall majority of over 50%

Question 32

London mayoral election 2012 results

Answer 32

Johnson had 44% first choice votes but only secured a majority when his second choice votes were added.
He finished with 51.53% of votes

Question 33

What voting system is used for London mayoral elections

Answer 33

Supplementary Vote