Elections and Referendums

Question 1

E+A 3 arguments in favour of reforming the system used to Westminster elections

Answer 1

1. proportionality
   FPTP is very poor at fairly translating votes into seats won in the Commons.
   2019 election FPTP gave conservatives 365 seats but AMS would have given them 284
   green party received 1 seat in FPTP but 38 in AMS
   Brexit received 0 but 12 in AMS
   Winner’s bonus- additional number of seats that the winning political party receives beyond the number they would have won if the distribution of seats were proportional .
   2019 UK GE, the Conservative Party won 43.6% of the popular vote but secured 56.2% of the seats in the House of Commons due to the fact that the party won a large number of seats by narrow margins, which resulted in a winner’s bonus.
   third parties are significantly disadvantaged under the current system.
   Yet no big 2 in NI
2. alternative systems work well in other UK elections,
   e.g. AMS in Wales and Scotland. Although coalitions are the norm, arguably this has not led to instability of government and perhaps has required some compromises between certain parties.
   coalition government of 2010–15 as evidence that strong single-party government is not the only way to govern.
3. electoral reform would lead to a greater range of parties being represented in
   Westminster, especially under List PR, though not so much for AV. Evidence could come from the experience of the European elections where, for example, Eurosceptic parties and the Green Party have fared much better, while they have always struggled to win Commons seats.
   2019 European parliament Brexit party won 29 seats whilst conservatives held 4

Question 2

E+A the role of media in any 3 elections you have studies. One must be 1997, one earlier, one later

Answer 2

1. 1983, and the role of the press.
   Rupert Murdoch the times and the sun published “vote for Maggie”
   Michael Foot was easy to lampoon as elderly, too left-wing and leading a deeply divided party. Do You Seriously Want This Old Man To Run Britain?”
   Margaret Thatcher’s staged photo stunts. Note that this election occurred before televised leaders’ debates or social media, hence the role of newspapers was more
   important than in later elections, although they certainly did not determine the outcome.
   22% of the newspapers supported Labour

2.1997 and how the press, in contrast to 1983 and 2019, was much more positive about Tony Blair and New Labour. The switch in allegiance of the Sun should be stressed, and
also how Blair was far more ‘media savvy’ than some of his Labour predecessors.
Traditional Tory dailies failed to really enthuse about John Major.
the press alone did not swing the election, and that Labour was on course for a clear victory in any case.
Emphasise how some sections of the media often back the likely winner.
62% of newspapers supported labour

1. 2019 election. Explain the leadership debates, how Boris Johnson, for example, declined the Andrew Neil interview, but did debate quite effectively with Corbyn.
   the role social media played.
   £7.4 million spent on social media ads here in comparison to £1.3 million in 2017
   photo opportunities, e.g. Johnson and the JCB. You could also mention the ‘old’ media, while noting its influence has declined over the years, especially among younger voters.

Question 3

E+A 3 arguments against the greater use of referendums in UK politics

Answer 3

1. referendums being a ‘blunt instrument’, and that they do not necessarily settle issues clearly or decisively. You could cite the legacy of the Brexit vote, since the outcome did not clarify on what terms Brexit should happen (no deal, customs union etc.)
   However, devolution votes, which have proved more straightforward and clear-cut.
   1973 NI vote to remain uk or irish 98% said remain
2. undermining of representative government that more referendums could cause.
   UK traditionally relies on representative parliamentary democracy and not
   direct democracy. You could cover briefly the advantages of representative government such as the ability to make tough decisions and being better informed/educated on often complex issues.
   same-sex marriage in England and Wales in 2013
3. referendums might lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’ if extended to broader social issues (same sex marriage or abortion in 1967), as is often the case with ballot initiatives in the US.
   traditionally in the UK referendums are used for constitutional matters like devolution. Greater use of them could lead to divisive campaigns and the potential for biased and inflammatory propaganda. The end result
   could also erode rights for certain minority rights — although safeguards could be put in place to avoid this.
   Brexit vote had elements of this, particularly bearing in mind the age dimension of who voted and who would be most affected by it long-term.