Elections 3 Flashcards
Election definition:
A process where people are given the opportunity to choose representatives who will form representative institutions and government
Electoral manifesto definition:
A statement produced by a political party at election times, stating what policies it intends to implement if it gains power
Functions of elections
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
Example of function of elections: Electing an MP to represent the constituency
Chris Grayling
Example of function of elections: To deliver a verdict on the performance of the government in power
Lib dems 2010-15
Conservatives 2015-17
Example of function of elections: To choose between alternative political programmes
2017 – Labour and Conservative parties have very different programmes
Example of function of elections: Granting authority to a new government
Conservatives given authority to have an in/out referendum
Example of: Winning party has authority to put into effect the commitments in its manifesto
Conservatives cut corporation tax following 2015 election
Example of: Grants authority to the new govt. to do whatever necessary to protect security and welfare of the country
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 following 9/11
What does it indicate if Sinn Fein does well
Growing support for independence from the UK
What does it indicate if Democratic Unionists gain support
Demonstrates resistance to the demands of a nationalist community
Features of FPTP
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
Example of feature of FPTP: Each constituency returns 1 MP
Chris Grayling Epsom
Example of feature of FPTP: Each party may nominate only 1 candidate in each constituency
Under STV, parties often nominate multiple candidates
Example of feature of FPTP: Voter have only one vote each
Under AV, voters vote for their first and second choice parties
Example of feature of FPTP: Simple majority system
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
Main effects of FPTP
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
Example of effect of FPTP: There is a strong, unique relationship between a single MP and their constituency
Chris Grayling and Epsom
Example of effect of FPTP: Most MPs don’t win a majority in their constituency
In 2015, SDLP MP in Belfast South had just 24.5% of the vote
Example of effect of FPTP: Normally, a single party wins
Only once since 1974 has FPTP failed to give a majority government
Example of effect of FPTP: System favours parties that concentrate votes in specific areas
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
Example of effect of FPTP: Difficult for smaller parties
UKIP won 1 seat from 12.7% of vote
Example of effect of FPTP: Votes are not of equal value
E.g. Safe seat votes are useless, marginal seats are important such as Gower
Example of effect of FPTP: House of Commons doesn’t reflect political balance of the electorate accurately
In 2015 conservatives won over 50% of seats with just 36% of votes
Define disenfranchised
Deprived of the right to vote
Positive elements of UK elections
All are free to participate
Free information and free media
They normally deliver a democratic mandate
Negative elements of UK elections
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
Example of negative element of UK elections: Voting system is disproportional
UKIP got 12.7% of votes but just 1 seat
Example of negative element of UK elections: Government are usually elected on less than half of the vote They lack legitimacy
Conservatives won just 35% of vote in 2015
Just 42.4% in 2017 despite won of highest votes ever
Example of negative element of UK elections: Large parties have disproportionate funds to contest the election
Alexander Fraser has given the Conservatives £1.1M since the 2015 general election
What is a majority system
An electoral system where the winning candidate is required to win an overall majority of over 50%
London mayoral election 2012 results
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
What voting system is used for London mayoral elections
Supplementary Vote
