Electoral Systems

Question 1

What electoral system is currently used for UK elections and by-elections?

Answer 1

First Past the Post

Question 2

Explain how FPTP works

Answer 2

Voters cast a single vote - the person with the most votes in their constituency wins. Party with the most seats win. It is a single-member representation system.

Question 3

What are the advantages of FPTP?

Answer 3

Speed and simplicity

Usually produces strong and stable government

Exclusion of extremists

Strong constituency link

Question 4

Example of disproportionality as a disadvantage of FPTP

Answer 4

2015 - UKIP won around 3.9 million votes and only 1 seat

Question 5

Example of minority governments as a disadvantage of FPTP

Answer 5

Tony Blair was re-elected in 2005 on only 35.2% of the vote

Question 6

Explain limited voter choice as a disadvantage of FPTP

Answer 6

Causes tactical voting —> disillusionment/voter apathy

e.g. 2019 Green Party increased vote share by 60% from 2017 but only gained 1 seat

Question 7

Example of winner’s bonus as a disadvantage of FPTP

Answer 7

2005 - Labour won 35% votes and 55% seats

2019 - Conservatives won 44% of votes but 56% of the seats

Question 8

Example of FPTP causing strong mandate

Answer 8

2019 - 80 seat majority

Question 9

Example of strong constituency link

Answer 9

Ken Clarke MP - only Conservative MP to vote against triggering Article 50 due to strong ‘remain’ sentiment in his area

Question 10

Example of lack of real choice in FPTP

Answer 10

Electoral Reform Society recorded 56% of seats were safe seats in 2015

Question 11

Where is AMS used?

Answer 11

Welsh Senedd (now changing to purely party list system), Scottish Parliament, London Assembly

Question 12

How does AMS work?

Answer 12

Voters have two votes: one for a constituency representative (who is elected using FPTP) and another for a party list representative (who is elected using PR)

HYBRID SYSTEM

Question 13

Advantages of AMS

Answer 13

More proportional than FPTP with top-up element

Best of both worlds - FPTP element maintains strong constituency link

Gives electors a wider choice due to ‘split ticket’ option

Question 14

Disadvantages of AMS

Answer 14

Creates two types of members, some with constituency responsibility, some without (little evidence that this is actually a problem)

Closed list system discourages rebellions because candidates do not want to risk being put far down the list
- impacts proper scrutiny

Not proportional

Complicated? - may impact turnout

Question 15

Which electoral system should you not talk about because it is redundant now?

Answer 15

SV!!!!!

Had only been used for Police and Crime Commissioners and City Mayors - both now changing to FPTP

Question 16

Where is STV used?

Answer 16

Northern Irish Assembly + council elections in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Question 17

How does STV work?

Answer 17

Multi-member constituencies - voters number choices by preference and candidates have to meet a quota to be elected. Then, 2nd, 3rd, 4th choices etc… are considered until all of the seats are filled

Question 18

Advantages of STV

Answer 18

Very proportional (not fully proportional)

Voter choice is high as you can rank preferences as you wish regardless of party. There is also further breadth of choice as there are multiple candidates for each party (e.g. you could choose between a more moderate Tory or a neoliberal Tory, rather than just having to vote for whoever your constituency’s Conservative candidate is)

No wasted votes because of the transfers (no need to vote tactically - voter choice properly represented)

Question 19

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 19

Creates a permanent coalition (this works fine in places like Germany)

Confusing —> donkey voting (Aus randomises ballots to negate effects of donkey voting)

Weak constituency link - loses focused issues (e.g. MP for Exeter focused on urban/university issues)

Allows extremists to get seats (diversity of opinion is important - e.g. European Parliament represents huge breadth of opinion like BNP who have never had a UK Parliament seat)

Question 20

Recent example of FPTP changing election outcomes

Answer 20

2023 Bedford Mayoral Elections ran under FPTP, rather than SV which changed the outcome, with the Conservatives ousting the Liberal Democrat who had been mayor for 13 years