Electoral Systems Guide

Question 1

What are electoral systems in the UK?

Answer 1

Electoral systems are the method which is used to elect in a political system. The UK Parliament (HOC, MPs) use FPTP while the Scottish Parliament use AMS.

Question 2

How representative is FPTP in parliament?

Answer 2

FPTP is where the % of seats is not proportionate to the % of votes of a party wins.

Question 3

How can FPTP be criticised for representation in parliament?

Answer 3

FPTP is ‘winner takes it all’ and benefits lager parties while smaller parties become wasted votes.

Question 4

What is an example of FPTP being poor representation in parliament?

Answer 4

In 2024, Reform UK won 14% of votes but ,1% of seats in parliament.

Question 5

How representative is AMS in parliament?

Answer 5

AMS has the % of seats roughly equal to the % of votes a party wins.

Question 6

How can AMS be praised for representation in parliament?

Answer 6

AMS lists MSPs which elect them on a proportional basis. It brings smaller parties a chance of winning seats making parliament more diverse.

Question 7

How can you evaluate the representation in parliament?

Answer 7

FPTP is poor representation while AMS is the opposite and allows for better representation of what voters want.

Question 8

How representative is FPTP in Government?

Answer 8

FPTP creates a majority Government usually despite gaining a minority of votes.

Question 9

How can FPTP be criticised for representation in Government?

Answer 9

FPTP is unfair representation as many voters were against the governing parties manifesto.

Question 10

Why is a Government minority positive?

Answer 10

A majority Government gets things done quicker and with less opposition.

Question 11

How representative is AMS in Government?

Answer 11

AMS creates a hung Government as it is representative of votes.

Question 12

How can AMS be praised for representation in Government?

Answer 12

AMS has better representation ad forces parties to compromise.

Question 13

Why is a hung Government negative?

Answer 13

A hung Government may struggle as parties may struggle to work together effectively.

Question 14

How can you evaluate the representation in Government?

Answer 14

FPTP gives unrepresentative power while AMS doesn’t but may take longer to achieve things.

Question 15

How representative is FPTP of women?

Answer 15

FPTP allows one candidate to run from each party in each constituency meaning it is more likely a man is going to be chosen over a woman.

Question 16

How can FPTP be criticised for representation of women?

Answer 16

FPTP limits voter choice and presents unfair representation as less women are elected.

Question 17

How representative is AMS of women?

Answer 17

AMS sees attempts at improving female representation through the list election.

Question 18

How can AMS be praised for representation of women?

Answer 18

AMS is faired and so more bills are tailored for women.

Question 19

How can you evaluate the representation of women?

Answer 19

Other factors may explain why less women are elected better than electoral systems.

Question 20

What is tactical voting?

Answer 20

Tactical voting is when a person votes to prevent another party from winning and encouraged through the idea of wasted votes.

Question 21

How do constituencies contribute to tactical voting?

Answer 21

Some contingencies are considered either ‘safe seats’, ‘two horse races’ and very rarely are three or more parties.

Question 22

Why is tactical voting so negative for elections?

Answer 22

Tactical voting makes the election unrepresentative of voters true views.

Question 23

How does AMS reduce the likelihood of tactical voting?

Answer 23

AMS allows for a better chance of votes for smaller parties counting.

Question 24

Why does AMS not eliminate all signs of tactical voting?

Answer 24

Some voters are still accused of gaming the AMS system.

Question 25

Why does tactical voting not limit the use of the electoral systems?

Answer 25

Voters are still voting to achieve something that will benefit them in some form through tactical voting and so it cannot be argued this is largely significant factor.