Elections 3 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Election definition:

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Electoral manifesto definition:

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Functions of elections

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

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

A

Chris Grayling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

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

A

Lib dems 2010-15

Conservatives 2015-17

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

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

A

2017 – Labour and Conservative parties have very different programmes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

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

A

Conservatives given authority to have an in/out referendum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

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

A

Conservatives cut corporation tax following 2015 election

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does it indicate if Sinn Fein does well

A

Growing support for independence from the UK

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does it indicate if Democratic Unionists gain support

A

Demonstrates resistance to the demands of a nationalist community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Features of FPTP

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Example of feature of FPTP: Each constituency returns 1 MP

A

Chris Grayling Epsom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

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

A

Under STV, parties often nominate multiple candidates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Example of feature of FPTP: Simple majority system

A

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

17
Q

Main effects of FPTP

A

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

18
Q

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

A

Chris Grayling and Epsom

19
Q

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

A

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

20
Q

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

A

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

21
Q

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

A

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

22
Q

Example of effect of FPTP: Difficult for smaller parties

A

UKIP won 1 seat from 12.7% of vote

23
Q

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

A

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

24
Q

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

A

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

25
Q

Define disenfranchised

A

Deprived of the right to vote

26
Q

Positive elements of UK elections

A

All are free to participate

Free information and free media

They normally deliver a democratic mandate

27
Q

Negative elements of UK elections

A

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

28
Q

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

A

UKIP got 12.7% of votes but just 1 seat

29
Q

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

A

Conservatives won just 35% of vote in 2015

Just 42.4% in 2017 despite won of highest votes ever

30
Q

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

A

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

31
Q

What is a majority system

A

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

32
Q

London mayoral election 2012 results

A

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

33
Q

What voting system is used for London mayoral elections

A

Supplementary Vote