Electoral Systems

Question 1

First Past the Post features (5)

Answer 1

Plurality system for UK general elections to elect MPs
650 candidates
Every 5 years
Produces mainly safe seats
Voters get one vote

Question 2

2 examples of constituencies and their parties?

Answer 2

Brighton & Hove - green party (only one!)
South West Surrey - Conservative - Jeremy Hunt

Question 3

ADVANTAGES ✅ of FPTP! (5)

Answer 3

• simple & easy to understand
• efficient (results formed morning after)
• MPs can be contacted easily
• regular elections hold MPs to account
• produces a clear winner - DECISIVE GOVERNMENT
  1979/2010/2017 are the only elections which have produced a HUNG parliament

Question 4

DISADVANTAGES ❌ of FPTP!

Answer 4

• disenfranchisement (people not feeling represented
• wasted votes!
• political stagnation- 2 party system
• tactical voting

Question 5

Example for wasted votes?

Answer 5

2017 - 68% votes were wasted

Question 6

2 years which show a pattern emerging for FPTP failing to produce stable gov?

Answer 6

2010 & 2017

Question 7

REFERENDUM for alternative vote system!

Answer 7

2011
Turnout - 48%
68% said no to AV 😞

Question 8

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

Answer 8

Northern Island

✅Highly proportional - leads to coalitions (positive thing in Ireland cos it solves past conflict)

✅Ranking candidates - counted using DROOP quota
- ensures no wasted votes

✅Involves & engages public - provides choice & fairer representation

❌Difficult and complex to understand

❌Allows extremist parties to be represented

Question 9

Alternative Member System (AMS)

Answer 9

Scotland (parliament) & Welsh (assembly)

✅Hybrid of plurality & proportional

✅Produces strong/stable gov

2 votes - 1. FPTP representative 2. Party

✅Easy to understand

❌Not fully proportional

Question 10

Supplementary Vote (SV)

Answer 10

London Mayor/Police Commissioners

2 votes
- 1st & 2nd choice

✅reduces wasted votes