ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

Question 1

What is the electoral system used in the UK?

Answer 1

First Past The Post (FPTP)

Question 2

What is Proportional Representation?

Answer 2

An electoral system where the aim is for the percentage of votes to be proportional to the percentage of seats won (In the UK)

Question 3

What are examples of Proportional Representation Systems?

Answer 3

Single Transferrable Vote, Additional Member System

Question 4

What are advantages and disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 4

A: Simple to use, clear winner, extremist parties can’t get into power

D: Doesn’t allow representation of smaller parties, sometimes the winner is the loser

Question 5

What is the Additional Member System? (AMS)

Answer 5

A hybrid electoral system that uses elements of FPTP and PR. First vote is for a constituency representative and the second vote is for a political or regional party.

Question 6

Where has AMS been used in the UK?

Answer 6

In the Scottish Parliament.

Question 7

What are the advantages and disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 7

A: Ensures proportionality

D: Can be very confusing and decrease voter turnour

Question 8

What is the Supplementary Vote System? (SV)

Answer 8

Majoritarian voting system used in the UK in which voters can express two preferences. (First choice and second choice)

Question 9

Where has SV voting been used in the UK?

Answer 9

Previously in the Mayoral Elections until 2024 and is used in police commisioner elections.

Question 10

What are advantages and disadvantages of SV?

Answer 10

A: Deemed more legitimate, clear winner

D: Can lead to multiple rounds of voting, can lead to false majorities

Question 11

What is the Single Transferrable Vote? (STV)

Answer 11

Voters will rank candidates in order of preference and the candidates must reach a quota to win. All first choice votes are counted to see if there is a majority and if not it goes down to second, third, etc.

Question 12

Where is STV used in the UK?

Answer 12

Northern Irish Assembly.

Question 13

What are advantages and disadvantages of STV?

Answer 13

A: Most proportional System in UK, gives more voter choice, greater representation

D: More complicated, unlikely to produce single party government, weak Consticuency-MP link

Question 14

What are the 4 most recent major referendums?

Answer 14

• Brexit (2016)
• Scottish Indepenence (2014)
• AV+ Voting System (2011)
• North East England Assembly (2004)

Question 15

What are advantages of using referendums?

Answer 15

• Gives legitimacy and a strong mandate
• Increases engagement and voter turnout
• Settles controversial issues
• Demonstrates direct democracy

Question 16

What are disadvantages of using referendums?

Answer 16

• Can cause division due to small margins of win/loss
• Relies on people educating themselves on political issues
• Electoral fatigue, people may get fatigued with voting
• Referendums cost a lot of money, Brexit alone cost £129 Million

Question 17

What happened during the Brexit Referendum in 2016?

Answer 17

• Vote to leave European Union
• Ultimately, electorate voted to leave 51.9% to 48.1%
• Ultimately impacted the economy in a really negative, essentially the reason for the cost of living crisis

Question 18

What happened during the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014?

Answer 18

• Vote for Scottish Independence from the UK
• 46% voted for independence whereas 54% voted against indepenence
• Scotland only makes up 10% of the UK economy so leaving would be bad for them

Question 19

What happened during the Alternative Vote System Referendum in 2011?

Answer 19

• It posed the question of whether MP’s should be elected by First
  Past The Post or the Alternative Vote system in subsequent General Elections
• Only 42% of voters decided to vote in this referendum with 67.9% of voters arguing that
  FPTP should stay on as the voting system
• Often regarded as the “Forgotten Referendum”