Electoral Systems - Why did people vote against AV? Flashcards
Referendum’s format
Yes/no format put reformers on the defensive - study on Australia - referendum on Republic in 1999 provides a study about how impulse can dissipate over detail - voters begin to worry about whether they wanted the presidency on offer
AV system
Nick Clegg ‘miserable little compromise’
Leaflet from the Electoral Commission
made the entire thing look excessively complicated - a blurb dedicated to FPTP in three sentences but AV was described over 4 pages.
The NO campaign was dirty and decietful
They made up costs about new voting machines and posters claimed that these would be paid by soldiers making the ultimate price - a sick baby in intensive care was used as a scare tactic.
Mistrust of the coalition
Nick Clegg’s failure to keep his trust and mistrust in the coalition as a whole –> epitome of dodgy deals and broken promises on health and universities. Nick Clegg had a deputy heady image which ruined him - Clegg was facing the brunt of the people for the actions that Cameron was having ‘ruining the school’.
Should we abandon FPTP? 2011 case study
UK voted not to replace FPTP with AV for Parliamentary elections - 67% people voted no.
What was the turnout in 2011?
42% - there was no appetite for reform
Only 32% of those who voted supported the proposed reform.
Reform is still possible -
reformers argue that it remains a possibility because FPTP struggles to consistently deliver a majority government and the magnitude of constitutional change under Brexit and potential Scottish referendum does not rule it out.
AV is not an option, but other proportional systems may be
Why has there been so much electoral reform since 1997?
The campaign to replace FPTP became more vocal after facing years of defeat from the system - Labour, manifesto in 1997 stated that they were ‘committed to a referendum on the voting system… an independent commission on voting system will be appointed early to recommend a proportional alternative to the FPTP system’
What else did the 1997 manifesto promise?
- more devolved power to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly following a successful referendum - both elections using AMS.
- Devolving more power to the N.I assembly which would use STV. This is because they needed better representation for the unionist and nationalist parties.
- Introducing proportional electoral systems to bring EU elections more in line with other EU nations.
- Also promised a directly elected mayor of London.
How do more proportional outcomes affect third parties?
EU Election 2014 - UKIP got one seat in 2015 General Election but won 24 seats in the EU election with 26.6% of the vote and 32.8% of the seats, which is the best from England.
What is the difference between the party systems?
The party system refers to the number of competing parties that have a realistic chance of forming an effective government - they are often closely interlinked with the electoral system used.
Proportional systems allow more parties to compete naturally.
An example of split-ticket voting?
2011 Scottish Parliament election - SNP, Lab, Cons received fewer regional votes than they did in the constituency vote.
Labour received 31.7% in the constituency vote and 26.3% in the regional vote.
What has electoral reform done to our turnout levels?
It has not led to an increase in turnout - 50.5% turnout.
Police and Crime Commissioner 2012 - 15.1% turnout
What about the rejected ballot papers?
Increased the percentage of rejected ballots
UK general election 2010 - 0.28% of the rejected ballots.
Scottish Parliament 2007 using AMS - 3.5% rejected ballots
