Electoral Reform Flashcards
Which elections out of 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2024 were the most unfair and why
2015 and 024 because the percentage of seats gained by minor parties in 2015 compared to the percentage they got in the popular vote were so unfair , and this was the same to some extent in 2024 but the system massively benefitted the Labour Party
Which parties have pushed for electoral reform most strongly
Lib Dem’s , Plaid Cymru , SNP and the greens
What type of system is favoured by the minor parties , the Labour Party , the electoral reform society and unlock democracy
Proportional representation
What system was recommended by the Jenkins commission in 1997 for the uk general elections and what is it a combination of
Same as AMS but instead of 2/2 FPTP and 1/3 regional list it is 2/3 AMS and 1/3 regional list
When did the Jenkins commission report back apart from supporting AV+ which system was rejected based on the basis that it would require massive constituencies of about 35,000 and was too complicated in terms of choice on the ballot paper
September 1988 and STV
What percentage of voters turned up for the AV referendum in 2011 and what percentage voted for it
There was 42% turnout and 67.9% said they didn’t want it
Three arguments for voter ID
Prevents voter fraud
Prevents abuse through multiple voting
Isn’t discriminatory
Three are the arguments against voter ID
Very rare
Reduces participation
Discriminatory against people from disadvantaged backgrounds