Elections

Question 1

Give three arguments in favour of electoral reform

Answer 1

1) System lacks proportion and produces lost of wasted votes meaning seats are not of equal value across the country
2) Outdated for the current political system which is more diverse- more hung parliaments in the future which distort mandates and give excessive power to smaller parties.
3) Most MP are elected on less than 50% of the vote.

Question 2

What percentage of votes are wasted in an average constituency?

Answer 2

24% are disregard and 51% underrepresented.

Question 3

UKIP vote to seat?

Answer 3

4 million votes to 1 seats

Question 4

SNP vote to seat?

Answer 4

1.4 million votes to 56 seats

Question 5

Tory votes to seat

Answer 5

36% of the national vote to over 50% of Parliamentary seats

Question 6

Three arguments against electoral reform?

Answer 6

1) Existed for a very long time with people understanding the system- apathy and turnout which is recovering from 2001 flow of 56%.
2) Strong link between MP and constituency- Guradian Poll in 2014 suggested that 54% of people knew MP compared to 11% knowing MEP.
3) Single Party strong government!!!- Strong and Stable Government

Question 7

Three arguments in favour of proportional representation?

Answer 7

1) More proportionate parliament- representative
2) better representation of minority views that would not be represented under FPTP
3) usher in a more consensus era of politics
Reduce such strong majority which can be abused to create an elective dictatorship.

Question 8

Three arguments against PR

Answer 8

1) Systems can be difficult to understand- STV
2) Allow minority extreme views to be represented which can damage the political system- BNP 2009 regional list
3) reduces link between Constituency and MP- EU MEP 11%