electoral systems pt2 Flashcards
1
Q
what government type and party system do each electoral system result in
A
FPTP- single party majority, dominant or 2-party system
SV - single candidate becomes mayor, two-party
AMS - coalition or minority gov, dominant or 3-party
STV - power shared among parties, multi-party
2
Q
arguments in FAVOUR OF FPTP as opposed to electoral reform
A
- decisive, strong results and stable gov and strong constituency link
- EG - 2019 GE, 80-seat majority for Cons ending confusion over Brexit
- EG - 2024 GE, 174-seat majority - clear decisive outcome - SV doesn’t fix FPTP problems. minor parties struggle winning SV, tactical voting remains common
- EG - only Labour + Cons have ever made it to 2nd round of counting accept for 1 in 2000 - Ken Livingstone - AMS struggles to give clear majorities, often leads to coalitions, minority govs
- EG - SNP runs Scotland as minority gov (without 50% of seats) - unstable/ weak/ less decisive than FPTP - STV confusing, complex + cause gridlock, shared decision-making slow
- EG - 2017-20 NI had no functioning Executive bc Sinn Fein + DUP wouldn’t cooperate - Meaning UK then impose a budget from Westminster
- EG - 2022-25 NI executive suspended again over Brexit trade protocol disputes –> instability when STV elects representatives
3
Q
arguments in FAVOUR OF ELECTORAL REFORM as opposed to fptp
A
- FPTP creates unfair + disproportional results, parties with millions of votes get few seats, parties w concentrated regional support do better than widespread national support.
- EG - 2019 Lib dems 3.7 million votes but 11 seats, SNP 48 seats with 1.2 million votes bc SNP more concentrated
- EG - 2015 UKIP + Greens 5mill votes combined but 1 MP each
- EG - 2005,10,15 no govs that won had majority - SV wastes less votes bc 2nd prefs are counted.
EG - In 2016, Sadiq Khan won after many Green voters selected him as second preference - AMS gives small parties influence + join coalitions, voters can still get local MP which maintains the link due to the FPTP section
- EG - Lib Dems have been in coalition governments in Scotland and Wales –> stable and reps dif parties - FPTP leads tp tactical + wasted votes: in safe seats votes for other parties meaningless, ppl j vote for parties so the one they hate doesnt win.
4
Q
1997 referendum - Scottish
A
- should additional powers be devolved to Scotland and a Scottish Parliament be established
- why: needed popular consent for major constitutional change
74% yes
26% no
60% turnout
5
Q
1997 referendum - Welsh
A
- should additional powers be devolved to Wales and a Welsh Assembly be established
- why: fundamental change needs public support
yes 50.3%
no 49.7%
turnout 50%
6
Q
1998 referendum - Northern Ireland
A
- should the Belfast Agreement be implemented?
- why: needed support from both sides of community
yes 72%
no 29%
turnout 81%
7
Q
2004 referendum Northeast England
A
- Should additional powers be devolved to Northeast England and a regional assembly established?
yes 22%
no 78%
turnout 47%
8
Q
2011 referendum Electoral Reform
A
- should UK adopt AV system for GEs
yes 32%
no 68%
turnout 42%
9
Q
2014 referendum Scottish Independence
A
- should Scotland become and independent country?
- why - SNP majority led to demand for self-determination
yes 45%
no 55%
turnout 85%
10
Q
2016 referendum EU membership
A
- Should the UK remain a member of the EU?
- why - cons were divided - responding to UKIP pressure
remain 48.1%
leave 51.9%
turnout 72.2%
11
Q
why have referendums been held in the UK?
A
- a gov is divided over an issue and ref would settle the issues and unite population EG - 1998 Belfast Agreement
- might have huge constitutional significance so needs direct consent of people EG - 2016 EU membership ref (Brexit)
- helps entrench and safeguard constitutional changes EG 1997 Scottish Parliament creation
- used to judge public opinion on certain issues eg taxation or devolution. EG 2004 North East Assembly ref
12
Q
2 examples of when referendums have had SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
A
- 2014 Scottish Independence Ref
- initially settled issue - high turnout and clear result
- but still high dominance of SNP - another ref could still happen - 2016 EU ref (Brexit)
- shocked the political world and caused major diplomatic upheaval (changed how we seen as a country to the world) - biggest since WW1
- revealed UK is deeply divided
13
Q
2 examples of when referendums have had MINIMAL IMPACT
A
- 2004 Northeast Assembly ref
- voters rejected it
- it slightly slowed devolution but didn’t stop new bodies from being formed - 2011 electoral reform ref AV
- decisive result but low turnout of 42%
- this is bc most voters don’t see it as a priority
14
Q
arguments FOR referendums
A
- refs are purest form of democracy, express direct will of the ppl without being filtered by politicians
- EG - 2016 Brexit show clear public opinion on huge constitutional issue - help unit divided society, clear outcome can settle disputes + bring stability
- EG - 1998 Belfast Agreement ref - high turnout and 72% yes - solved the divide and reduced tensions - give legitimacy to big constitutional changes
- EG - 1997 devolution refs - Scotland and Wales - gave democratic approval to big constitutional reforms –> reinforces legitimacy
15
Q
arguments AGAINST referendums
A
- issues may be too complex and too difficult for public to get
- EG - 2011 AV ref - many voters didnt get it –> complexity leads to confusion and shallow decision making - Deepen divisions not heal them especially in certain demographics eg age, gender etc
- EG Brexit - 27% of 18-24/yrs voted leave but 60% of 65+ voted leave - risk of ‘tyranny of the majority’ - small majority can impose will on large unhappy minority left over
- EG - 2016 Brexit almost half the pop voted remain –> unfairness. also racial tensions and hate crime rose - some issues aren’t suitable for yes or no answers - risk of oversimplifying complex serious matters
- EG - 2011 AV reform ref - low turnout 42% - shows ppl didnt understand so didnt vote
