Elections

Question 1

Roles of elections [6]

Answer 1

• votes converted into representation
• grant legitimacy to single office holders and representative institutions
• allow representatives to be held to account for their actions
• allow citizens to participate and engage in politics
• education in politics
• grant a mandate to the elected government

Question 2

Positive effects of elections of democracy [6]

Answer 2

• grant legitimacy
• give a clear mandate to govern
• calling government and representatives to account
• offer democratic choices to the people
• provide opportunities to participate in politics
• educate the public

Question 3

Negative effects of elections on democracy [4]

Answer 3

• elections may not be fair and proportional
• elections often exclude small parties
• mandate granted to governments may give them excessive power
• elections help those with the most financial resources

Question 4

Distinguish between an election and a referendum [5]

Answer 4

Elections deal with multiple issues - referendums only one
Elections appoint people - referendums don’t
Elections are held at regular intervals - referendums aren’t
Elections have complicated answers - referendums are yes/no
Elections concern political parties - referendums cut party lines

Question 5

How does FPTP operate [5]

Answer 5

Country divided into 650 constituencies
Each constituency elects 1 MP
Voters choose from a list of candidates
The candidate with the most votes is elected
It isn’t necessary to win a majority of the vote

Question 6

Characteristics and impacts of FPTP [5]

Answer 6

• % votes not proportional to % seats
• system favours larger parties with concentrated support
• small parties rarely win seats
• creates safe seats which leads to wasted votes
• tends to produce a clear majority government with a clear mandate

Question 7

Labour won a majority in 2005 with what % of the vote?

Answer 7

35

Question 8

Conservatives won 36% of the vote in 2010, but what % of seats?

Answer 8

47

Question 9

Lib Dems won 9% of seats in 2010 but what % of votes

Answer 9

23

Question 10

Where is AMS used?

Answer 10

Scottish Parliament
Welsh Parliament
Greater London assembly

Question 11

Where is STV used?

Answer 11

NI assembly
NI local government
Scottish local government

Question 12

Where is regional list system used?

Answer 12

EU elections

Question 13

Where is SV used?

Answer 13

London mayor

Question 14

Explain AMS workings [4]

Answer 14

2/3 of seats are elected through FPTP
Rest elected through regional list
Voters vote for a party and a candidate
Seats in the list awarded in proportion to votes won

Question 15

Explain workings of STV [5]

Answer 15

Several candidates elected in each constituency
Electoral quota calculated
Voters vote for as many candidates as they win (1 or 6)
Any candidates reaching the quota on 1st preference is elected
2nd and 3rd preferences reallocated until enough have reached the quota

Question 16

Explain the workings of Regional list [3]

Answer 16

Each party presents a list of candidates in an order of preference
Voters vote for a party rather than a candidate
Seats awarded in proportion to votes for the party

Question 17

Explain the workings of SV [6]

Answer 17

Used to elect individuals
Candidates must get a majority to win
Voters vote for 1st and 2nd preference
If a candidate has 50% after first preference round they win
If not, all but the top two candidates are eliminated
Second preferences reallocated to give a winner

Question 18

Features and impacts of AMS [4/3]

Answer 18

Voters have two choices
Result is largely proportional
Helps smaller parties
Retains constituencies

Four party system in Scotland and Wales
Six parties win seats in Greater London assembly
Normally produces 2-party coalitions

Question 19

Features and impacts of STV [4/3]

Answer 19

Voters have a wide choice
Outcome is very proportional
Voters can discriminate between candidates of the same party
Retains constituencies but everyone should have a representative

5 party system in NI Government
Multi-party systems at local level
Gives rise to power-sharing governments

Question 20

Features and impacts of Regional List [3/1]

Answer 20

Voters choose parties not candidates
Every vote has the same value
Outcome is highly proportional

6 parties gained seats in EU elections

Question 21

Features and impacts of SV [2/1]

Answer 21

Each voter has two choices
Winner must have a majority

Successful way of electing individuals with a clear mandate

Question 22

Arguments for retaining FPTP [5]

Answer 22

Easy to understand
Has successfully existed for a long period of time
Strong MP-Constituency links
Produces single party governments that are strong and stable
Electorate don’t want change (2011 AV referendum)

Question 23

Arguments for abandoning FPTP [7]

Answer 23

Seats disproportionate to votes 
wasted votes means votes don't have equal value
Gives governments excessive power
Out of touch with Europe
Discriminates against smaller parties
MPs elected on a minority of the vote
Turnouts are low

Question 24

Argument for introducing PR [5]

Answer 24

Fairer, makes votes have equal value
Would produce a more proportional parliament
Would help smaller parties
Preventing single party control reduces chance of elective dictatorship
Brings UK into line with Europe

Question 25

Arguments against PR [5]

Answer 25

Little appetite for change from British people (2011)
Other systems harder to understand and accept
Too many opportunities for extremist parties
Coalition governments are weaker and more indecisive
Some systems destroy MP-Constituency link

Question 26

How many votes did Ed Balls lose by in 2015 in Morley and Outwood?

Answer 26

424