Electoral Systems Flashcards
Example of disproportionality in 2019 (Lib Dems)
- In 2019, the Lib Dem’s won 11.6% of the vote but only 1.7% of the seats
Example of Disproportionality in 2015 (SNP)
- SNP won 50% of votes in Scotland but 95% of the seats
Example of disproportionality in 2005 (Labour)
- In 2005, Labour won a 66 seat majority with a vote share of 35%
Example of a time when FPTP achieved proportionality
In 2019, Labour won 32% of the vote and 31% of the seats
Example of MP-constituency link being important
MP Stephen Timms held a record number of surgeries in 2011 despite being stabbed by an extremist the year before during a surgery (shows commitment)
Example where MP-constituency link fails
In South Down, 2/3 of voters didn’t vote for their MP so MP can’t properly represent them
Example of FPTP preventing extremism
BNP has never won a seat in UK Parliament despite winning 2% of the vote in 2010
Example of where FPTP doesn’t stop extremism
- Britain has the 3rd highest DfC score (means 3rd highest deviation from centrism) in Europe
Example where FPTP doesn’t stop extremism (BNP)
BNP won 50 seats in local elections
Example of FPTP producing a strong and stable government
Produced working majorities in 18/20 elections since 1945
Example of FPTP failing to produce strong and stable government
2/4 of the last elections have resulted in hung parliament
Example of FPTP achieving accountability
In 2015, Lib Dems lost 49 seats after failing their tuition fee promise
Example of FPTP being simple to understand
Only 0.8% of local election ballots spoilt
Examples of FPTP producing the wrong winner
1951, 1974
Example of FPTP producing electoral deserts
In Scotland in 2015, Conservatives won 15% of the vote but only 1 seat
Example of FPTP producing safe seats
59% of seats in the UK are safe seats
Example of other systems also producing safe seats
- Dundee City East has a 41.4% majority
Example of FPTP not producing safe seats
12.4% of seats changed hands in 2019
Example of FPTP creating a safe seat
Berkshire has been Conservative since 1885
Example of FPTP causing tactical voting
In 2015, over 9% of voters voted tactically
Example of AMS being more proportional
In 2016, there was a maximum 5% difference between the votes received and MSPs returned
Example of AMS still not being proportional
In 2016, SNP won 44% of the vote but 49% of the seats
Example of AMS ballot being complicated
In 2007, 140,000 ballot papers were rejected (mainly due to new design of paper though)
Example of AMS not having a complicated ballot paper
More spoiled ballots in constituencies (4%) than regions (3%) in 2007
Example of AMS representing small parties better
Green Party has 5.4% of seats in Holyrood in 2021
Example of coalitions from AMS
62.5% of governments have been coalitions since 1997
Example of STV being proportional
In 2022, Sinn Fein won 29% of the vote and 30% of the seats
Example of STV not being proportional
In 2022, TUV won 8% of the vote but only 1% of the seats
Example of SV creating a clear mandate
In 2016, Sadie Khan won a majority of 56.9% (largest personal mandate of any elected politician in history)
Example of SV producing more voter choice
Allows independent candidates to win (12/40 PCC commissioners were independent in 2012)
Example of SV not creating more voter choice
In 2016 and 2021, the 2 remaining candidates were Conservative and Labour
Example of SV not expanding voter choice
In 2016 London mayoral elections, 382,000 people didn’t use their second preference vote
What % of people voted tactically in 2019
32%
What fraction of people who changed their mind did so tactically in the 2021 Scottish election?
1/3
