Electoral systems- paper 1

Question 1

Key features of FPTP

Answer 1

-winner takes all
-one vote
-650 constituencies
-voters vote fot candidate not party

Question 2

FPTP Pros and Cons

Answer 2

PROS:
-simple
-limits extremist parties
-tends to have an overall majority

CONS:
x favours larger parties
x doesn’t require an absolute majority
x wasted votes

Question 3

positive aspects of UK elections

Answer 3

-secret ballot
-most adults can vote
-regular basis by law
-little corruption

Question 4

How many safe seats are there

Answer 4

2019- 316/650

Question 5

marginal seats

Answer 5

parties concentrate efforts on marginal seats

Question 6

AMS

Answer 6

-greater london assembly
-2 votes each

Question 7

AMS pros and cons

Answer 7

PROS:
-more proportional than FPTP
-Helps smaller parties

CONS:
x more complex
x not fully proportional

Question 8

STV

Answer 8

-Northern Irish Assembly
-ranks candidates

Question 9

STV Pros and cons

Answer 9

PROS:
- very proportional
-wide choice of candidates
- helps minor parties

CONS:
x complex
x counting takes longer

Question 10

SV (supplementary vote)

Answer 10

-city mayor
-elects a single candidate in a constituency

Question 11

Referendum

Answer 11

vote where voters are asked a yes or no question

Question 12

UK referendums examples

Answer 12

2011 - AV - T.O. 42/ - 69/ no

2016 - Brexit - T.O. 72/ - 52/ yes

Question 13

Brexit referendum

Answer 13

-as UKIP gained support, Cameron held referendum
-high turn out
-majority of MPs were remain
-issues since there was no plan, too simplistic

Question 14

Should referendums be used?

Answer 14

SHOULD:
- purest form of democracy
- can mend rifts in society
- people more informed than the past

SHOULDN’T:
x complex issues
x tyranny of majority
x complex issues reduced to yes or no