Electoral Systems

Question 0

What are the disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 0

• not representative, unfair on small parties
• lots of wasted votes
• only 1 person representing you, not good for voter representation
• leads to safe seats
• leads to tactical voting

Question 1

What are the advantages of FPTP?

Answer 1

• easy to use and understand
• Strong link between MP and constituent (Anne Maguire)
• usually results in majority gov, (2010 unusual coalition) which is good for passing legislation

Question 2

What is an example of FPTP being unfair to smaller parties?

Answer 2

Lib dems in 2010 got 23% of vote and only 9% of seats

Question 3

What are the advantages of AMS?

Answer 3

• Fairer to smaller parties (2 green elected in 2011)
• more representative
• better choice, vote for party and candidates
• list vote means no safe regions (no wasted votes)

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 4

• often leads to coalition
• can lead to minority giv ( hard to pass legislation
• party chooses list candidates, not public

Question 5

What are the advantages of STV

Answer 5

• very proportional, fair to smaller parties
• multi member constituencies= range of representatives
• voters get more choice between candidates from same party
• no safe seats, reps work hard for votes
• no tactical voting

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of STV?

Answer 6

• quite difficult to count
• no clear link between 1 rep and constituent
• leads to no overall control in councils, difficult to legislate

Question 7

What is an example of STV votes being difficult to count?

Answer 7

Lots of spoiled votes in 2007 scottish local election - over 1000 in some areas

Question 8

What is an example of STV leading to no overall council?

Answer 8

Only 2/3 councils in scotland are not NOC

Glasgow and North Lanarkshire council are labour

Question 9

FPTP is used in —–

Answer 9

The general election

Question 10

AMS is used in — to elect — MSPs

Answer 10

1. Scottish Elections

2. 129

Question 11

What is an example of FPTP creating safe seats?

Answer 11

315/650 are considered ‘safe’ seats in uk

Question 12

How many votes were lost coz of FPTP in 2009?

Answer 12

2.9 million

Question 13

How is AMS more representative?

Answer 13

There are 8 MSPs you can talk to

Question 14

How can a coalition created by AMS be bad?

Answer 14

It leads to ‘kingmakers’ where small parties have disproportionate amounts of power (LD 2007)