Electoral Systems

Question 1

Supplementary Vote

Answer 1

Used to elect the London Mayor

SV has voters rank candidates preferentially. Candidates with over 50% automatically win, but if no one gets that, then 2nd preference votes from the biggest loser are redistributed until there is a winner

In the 2016 London elections, Khan won 42% of 1st preferences and 2nd preferences gave him 57%

Question 2

Advantages of Supplementary Vote (x5)

Answer 2

Ensures broad support for the winner

Discourages adversarial campaigning

Easy to use

Gives the winner a clear mandate

Would maintain the MP-Constituency link

Question 3

Disadvantages of Supplementary Vote (x1)

Answer 3

Does not necessarily give the winner the popular vote

Question 4

Advantages of Referendums (x3)

Answer 4

Allows voters to directly contribute to decision-making

Lord Hailsham argued that they act as a ‘check’ on the UK’s ‘elective dictatorship’

Increase participation (2016 EU Referendum turnout of 72%), entrench reforms and raise political awareness

Question 5

Referendums

Answer 5

Direct democracy within a representative system

Parliament must approve the results of referendums, maintaining sovereignty

Referendums are used for resolving constitutional issues or internal party disputes such as 1998 Good Friday agreement, 2016 EU, 2011 AV, 2014 Scottish

Question 6

Disadvantages of Referendums (x5)

Answer 6

Challenge parliamentary sovereignty

Expensive, as the Cabinet Office stated that the 2016 EU Referendum cost £142.2m

Unqualified to vote on certain issues

Low participation when issues are complex e.g. 2011 AV referendum had 42.2%

As governments choose whether referendums are held, it may be that they are only held on issues at the government fell comfortable letting the public choose, rather than issues that is RIGHT for the public to get to choose on

Question 7

Additional Member System

Answer 7

2 votes, one for an MP using FPTP, and another for a party with a proportional system

AMS is used in the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly

Question 8

Advantages of AMS (x4)

Answer 8

More representative than FPTP

Retains FPTP’s MP-Constituency link

Increases voter choice, as Voters can ‘split their tickets’

Minority parties are more successful, as the Green Party won 6 seats in the 2016 Scottish Parliament

Question 9

Disadvantages of AMS (x4)

Answer 9

AMS creates 2 types of MPs, and the legitimacy of MPs elected through PR votes for the party is questionable and would become politicised

As political parties assign the PR seats, it is questionable as to how these PR MPs can be held accountable

When AMS was first used in Scotland, Wales and London there were lots of spoilt ballots, as it was confusing

AMS increases likelihood of coalitions, and though some people may see this as goods, it can cause gridlock and end up with everyone unhappy

Question 10

Single Transferable Vote

Answer 10

Voters number their choices 1,2,3 and a candidates must achieve a quota set by the DROOP FORMULA

Once candidates reaches the quota, their 2nd preferences are redistributed

STV is used to elect the Northern Ireland Assembly as its highly PR helps to reduce divisions between unionists and nationalists

Question 11

Advantages of Single Transferable Vote (x4)

Answer 11

Produces a proportional outcome and increases chance of coalitions. Northern Ireland Assembly

Gives voters lots of choice, as they have multiple votes

Removes ‘safe seats’ and ‘wasted votes’

Helps minority parties

Question 12

Disadvantages of the Single Transferable Vote (x3)

Answer 12

STV may be confusing to voters, reducing participation and causing a high level of spoilt ballots

Increases the likelihood of coalitions, which can be bad as it causes gridlock and leaves everyone unhappy

Easier for extremist parties to be elected

Question 13

Functions of Elections (x5)

Answer 13

Allow the public to choose their representation

Provide a legitimate government

Holds MPs to account

Participation

Opportunity to influence policy

Question 14

Advantages of FPTP (x5)

Answer 14

Provides an MP constituency link

Prevents disproportionate influence from small extremist parties

Normally produces a clear strong and stable government

Easy to use and fill out ballot

In 2011 AV Referendum, 68% of votes support using FPTP

Question 15

Disadvantages of First Past the Post (x4)

Answer 15

In 2010,2015, and 2017 there were coalitions, small majorities or hung parliaments

FPTP is not proportional. The 2015 Belfast South MP won with 24.5% of the vote. In 2005, Tony Blair had 55% of seats, but 35% of votes

Creates ‘safe seats’, and thus voters in ‘swing/marginal seats’ have more power

FPTP favours parties with support that is geographically concentrates, such as the SNP, and hurt parties such as UKIP