Elections and referendums Flashcards
Electoral systems
Methods used to elect representatives
Impacts on electoral systems
- Shape the type of govt
- Influence the country’s party system
- Influence the policy agenda
- Voter representation
How do UK general elections work
- the UK is divided into 650 constituencies
Geographical areas with roughly equal number of voters - Each constituency elects one MP to represent them in the HoC
Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986
The total number of seats shall not be substantially greater or less than 613
How does a party win a general election
Needs to win a majority of the 650 constituencies - more than 326 seats
How many seats did Labour win in 2024?
411 seats
What happens when no party wins a majority?
Hung parliament
- this can result in a Coalition govt where multiple parties agree to combine their seat shares and govern together - 2010
- could also result in a minority govt, where a party with the most seats forms a govt w/o a majority - 2017
What happens when seats become vacant
By-elections - this could be because the MP has resigned, died, or been convicted
FPTP
- Simple majority system
- candidate with the largest vote in each constituency wins the seat, even if they don’t secure majority
- because UK is divided into 650 constituencies, its possible for parties to gain large numbers of votes but have few or no MPs
Advantages of FPTP
- Simplicity - voters mark cross and they understand it
- Leads to a majority govt since WW2
- Govt are quick to form - GE election was 4th July, Stanmer became PM 5th July
- Majority govt leads to more accountability
- allows voters to directly chose a candidate to represent their local area MP-
MP-Constituency link - FPTP
FPTP allows voters to directly choose a candidate to represent their local area.
- This is know as dyadic representation - the representation each MP is able to offer their constituents through meeting with them and voicing their opinions
Disadvantages of FPTP
- Poor collective representation - 2024 was most disproportionate
- Wasted votes - losing candidate votes are wasted & surplus votes
- Limited voter choice - can only choose 1 from party & can’t say who second candidate would be
How many votes were wasted in 2024 GE
58% wasted on losing candidates
How do results from 2024 GE show dispoportionate vote distribution
In 2019, labour had 10.3 million votes and won 202 seats whereas in 2024, labour had 9.7 million votes and was efficiently distributed to win 411 seats - its largest working majority
Importance of vote distribution - Lib Dem’s & Reform
- IN 2024, Lib Dem’s were able to win 72 seats with only 12.2% of the national vote because their support was concentrated in SW England whereas in 2010 they has double votes but only gained 57 seats case support was spread.
- Reform won half a million more opted and Lib Dem’s but only won 5 seats because voters were spread across the UK
Supplementary vote
Two columns next to each candidate and voters mark first & second choice.
The first choices are counted first and if they receive more than 50% they are declared the winner but if on one wins a majority, all but the first two candidates are eliminated
Until 2021, it was used to elect English mayors and police commissioners.
- The Elections Act 2022 scraped the use of SV and required them to use FPTP
AMS
- Hybrid system, mixture of FPTP & list PR
- used to elect members of Scottish and Welsh parliaments
- candidates have two ballots, one with a list of candidates standing to become constituency representative , the second list is a list of parties standing for election in the region
- Westminster style ballots have ‘winner takes all’ basis, regional list ballots are counted and proportional share of votes is calculated, if a party wins fewer seats than its proportion of the votes
STV - Proportional system
- Multi member constituencies where voters rank their choices in order of preference
- a quota is then calculated based in number of seats and total votes
- if a candidate reaches the quota with first place votes, they are immediately elected and their surplus votes are transferred to next candidates
If not candidates are immediately elected the candidate worth the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to other candidates.
The process continues until all seats are filled
Alternative vote
Voters rank as many candidates as they like from favourite to least favourite.
First preferences are counted and if they receive majority of 50% they are declared the winner, but if non the last place candidate is eliminated.
Used for Labour, Lib Dem’s party leadership & by-elections for selection of committee chairs & HoL
Should FPTP be replaced with SV & AV?
- They can produce an even larger winners bonus (more disproportional). In 2015, the conservatives would’ve won a larger disproportional seat share if AV was used.
2011 AV Referenudm
UK held referendum for adopting AV instead of FPTP for general elections in 2011 but 67.9% voted NO
What is the Independent Jenkins Commission
Formed by the Labour Party to reform the voting system of the UK that would meet their 4 main goals - stable govt, proportional distribution of seats, greater voter choice, MP-constituency link
Parliamentary voting system & constituencies Act 2011
- introduced by Lib Dem’s and conservatives
- fixed the number of constituencies at 600
What is a referendum
A popular vote on a particular issue, usually requiring a yes/no vote.
- Genuine form of democracy and provides clear mandate.
Reasons for calling referendum
- Constitutional change (devolution of Scotland/Wales)
- Party management (settling issue)
What is a mandate
The authority given by votes to successfully elected representatives to implement their policies.
2014 Scottish independence
- Held in Scotland, Sept 2014 following the Scottish independence referendum act 2013, which followed an agreement between the Scottish and UK govts
- This reflected the growing popularity & electoral success of SNP in recent general elections
2016 BREXIT Referendum
- Held across UK in 2016 after Conservatives pledged it in their 2015 manifesto
- the referendum was called in response the the growing popularity of UKIP
- The remain campaign was led by ‘Britain stronger in Europe and backed by PM David Cameron & majority of the Labour Party, Conservative Party.
- The leave campaign was led by ‘Vote leave’ by Conservative MPs BJ, Michael Gove & UKIP
- Each campaign Was given the right to spend £7m & given 600k in public funds
- 76% of MPs supported remain
- 72% turnout, with 52% leave votes
Why Have referendums been held
- Gives legitimacy to key constitutional changes & govt initiatives
- Party motivations : govt is facing disagreement so hands decisions to ppl
- Deal between parties: Cameron agreed to hold a vote on changing the electoral system because it was demanded by Lib Dem’s for agreeing to the 2010 coalition
- Pressure from public and parliament
Good Friday Agreement Referedum
71% voted in favour with an 81% turnout
