electoral systems Flashcards
what electoral systems are used within the UK?
England: FPTP Scotland: AMS Wales: AMS N. Ireland: STV London mayoral elections: SV
what is the importance of concentrated support in FPTP?
the system favours larger parties as they have concentrated support, this is as smaller parties rarely win individual constituency contests which results in few seats.
in 2017 how many seats did Lib Dems get and number of votes?
2,371,772 votes resulted in 12 seats
how many votes did Green Party get in 2017 compared to seats?
525,371 votes resulted in 1 seat
what is the winners bonus?
the largest party tends to win more than its proportionate share of the vote. e.g 2017 conservatives won 42.4% of vote which converted into 48.9% seats
what are safe seats? how many estimated?
a constituency where it is almost certain that the same party will win the seat in every general election.
estimated 368 in 2015
what are marginal seats? how many are estimated?
seats where the outcome of the election is in great doubt, as they are likely to change from one party to another by election
estimated 194 in 2015
what are the arguments for FPTP?
- produces clear result and is known quickly
- creates close constituency MP bond
- accountability is clear
- produces clear single party winner, strong and stable govt
- prevents extremist parties breaking in
what are the arguments against FPTP?
- outcome is not proportional or fair, some parties win more seats than support
- many votes are wasted as have no impact on safe seats
- encourages people to vote tactically and so abandon party loyalty
- prevents new parties breaking in
- the winning party gains much less than 50% of vote
what percentage of people voted for conservatives in 2015?
36.9% of popular vote meaning 63.1% voted against governing party
what are the advantages of AMS?
- produces broadly proportional outcome an dis fair to all parties
- gives voters two votes and so more choice
- still has close constituency bond with MP
- helps smaller parties
what are the disadvantages of AMS?
- produces two classes of representative, those with constituency and those elected through lists
- its more complex and could confuse people having two votes
- can result in election of extremist candidates
what was result of 2016 elections to Scottish parliament?
SNP: 48.8% seats with 41.7% votes
Conservatives: 24% seats with 22.9% votes
labour: 18.6% seats with 19.1% votes
what are the advantages of STV?
- produces most proportional outcome
- gives voters wide choice of candidates to choose from, and second choices considered
- voters can vote for candidates from different parties and show preference
- as there are six representatives per constituency each the voters feel better represented
- helps small parties and independents to be elected
what are the disadvantages of STV?
- it very complex system
- the vote counting is complicated and can take a long time
- helps candidates with extremist views be elected
- lines of accountability unclear with 6 representatives
