Electoral Systems

Question 1

What is the name of the electoral system used for UK General Elections?

Answer 1

First Past the Post (FPTP)

Question 2

What is a constituency?

Answer 2

A geographical area represented by one MP or MSP

Question 3

How many constituencies are there in the UK?

Answer 3

650

Question 4

How many MPs are there in the House of Commons?

Answer 4

650

Question 5

Why is the system used for UK general elections known as ‘first past the post’?

Answer 5

The party with the most votes in a constituency wins.

Question 6

MPs are elected to sit in the ______ of ___________.

Answer 6

House of Commons

Question 7

What is the name of the electoral system used for elections to the Scottish Parliamen?

Answer 7

Additional Member System (AMS)

Question 8

AMS is used to elect MSPs to where?

Answer 8

The Scottish Parliament

Question 9

How many MSPs are elected in Scottish Parliamentary Elections?

Answer 9

129

Question 10

Why is the AMS known as a ‘hybrid’ system?

Answer 10

It is a mix of two electoral systems - FPTP and Party (or Regional) List

Question 11

How many constituency MSPs are elected in Scottish elections using the AMS?

Answer 11

73

Question 12

How many regional MSPs are elected in Scotland using the AMS?

Answer 12

56

Question 13

How many regions in Scotland under the AMS?

Answer 13

8

Question 14

How many MSPs are elected to each region under the AMS?

Answer 14

7 MSPs per region. (8 regions in total)

Question 15

Why are constituencies in UK General Elections known as ‘single member constituencies’?

Answer 15

Only one MP is elected to represent each constituency

Question 16

What is the aim of a proportional representation electoral system?

Answer 16

To achieve a proportional result - the % of votes should be similar to the % of seats gained

Question 17

How many votes do you get in Additional Member System?

Answer 17

Two: one for your constituency MSP and one for the Regional Vote

Question 18

AMS gives voters more choice than FPTP. Why?

Answer 18

You get two votes

Question 19

What is the aim of AMS?

Answer 19

To achieve a more proportional result than FPTP

Question 20

When were the last elections to the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 20

2021

Question 21

Who won the Scottish Parliamentary Election in 2021?

Answer 21

SNP

Question 22

One advantage of AMS is that it offers greater choice. Why does AMS offer voters more choice than FPTP?

Answer 22

You get two votes - one for a constituency MSP and one for a party.

Question 23

One advantage of AMS is that is fairer than FPTP. Why is AMS fairer than FPTP?

Answer 23

It produces more proportional results. The percentage of seats a party wins is broadly similar to the percentage of votes.

Question 24

An advantage of AMS is that is fairer on smaller parties. Why?

Answer 24

Smaller parties are more likely to gain representation through the Party List system.

Question 25

One disadvantage of AMS is that is complex. Why is it said to be complex?

Answer 25

It can be difficult to understand. The regional vote and the D’Hondt formula are complicated.