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Politics (Mr Drew) > Extra's from electoral systems > Flashcards

Extra's from electoral systems Flashcards

1
Q

The main functions and importance of elections

A

Choose representatives (legislators)

Most important form of political participation - the only form for many

Hold govt and reps to account. During the campaign candidates must justify what they are their party have done

Educative function - campaigns allow the public to become better informed about the key political issues facing their locality, region or nation

Provide a mandate and democratic legitimacy for the winners and the authority to carry out their manifesto

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2
Q

Democratic aspects of UK elections

A

Secret ballot

Freedom of info and the media

Relatively little corruption and malpractice is punished by law

Virtually all adults allowed to vote

Election conduct is safeguarded by EC, which is independent

Constituency system ensures clear representation

Anyone can register to stand as an MP and it only requires a £500 deposit

Elections held on a regular basis by law

Vote counting carefully and thoroughly regulated

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3
Q

What is a plurality system

A

Candidate only requires one more vote than the other candidate to win, no maj needed (FPTP)

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4
Q

Majoritarian system

A

Used to elect a single candidate, designed to secure an absolute majority for the winning candidate (SV)

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5
Q

Proportional

A

Attempts to allocate seats in direct proportion to the votes cast, therefore multimember constituencies (STV)

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6
Q

Hybrid

A

Mixes two types of system, such as plurality and proportional (AMS)

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7
Q

When is SV used in Ireland

A

By elections

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8
Q

Where does Scotland use STV

A

Scottish local govt

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9
Q

Define constituency

A

Geographical area used to determine which people each representative represents

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10
Q

Plurality

A

Refers to the result of an election where the winner only has to obtain more votes than any of their opponents. Does not mean the winner has an absolute majority

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11
Q

Absolute majority

A

Refers to the result of a vote where the winner receives more votes than all the other candidates put together (more than half)

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12
Q

What’s wrong with an absolute majority

A

These are safe seats and so provide little choice

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13
Q

What’s wrong with a plurality

A

Most constituents did not vote for their rep

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14
Q

How many seats won by an absolute majority in 2019

A

421

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15
Q

How many won with between 40-50%

A

207

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16
Q

How many won by less than 40%

A

22

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17
Q

How many won by an absolute majority in 2015

A

319

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18
Q

Why was this so negative

A

Because it meant that most MPs had more people vote against them than vote for them

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19
Q

How many won a seat with less than 40% in 2015

A

50

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20
Q

How does turnout further undermine democratic legitimacy

A

Griffith only got 43.5% of the electorate’s vote (down from 58%)
Crowley only receive 29% (down from 42%)

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21
Q

FPTP pros

A

Voters understand exactly what they are voting for

MPs closely bound to constituency needs

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22
Q

Three key issues with FPTP

A

Safe seats

Marginal seats

Concentrated support

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23
Q

Seat vote ratio for all the nationalist parties

A

Positive

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24
Q

Seat to vote ratio for the Brexit party

A

2% of the vote no seats

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25
Q

Seat to vote ratio for Greens

A

2.7% of votes 0.2% of seats

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26
Q

Where is conservative support concentrated

A

South east and rural areas

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27
Q

Labour

A

Major cities and urban regions, especially in north England, south Wales and London

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28
Q

How many seats did the ERS say were safe in 2019

A

316

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29
Q

Where are elections said to be won and lost

A

Marginal seats

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30
Q

How many marginal seats were there in the 2019 GE

A

141, defined as one where the winner had less than a 10% gap without 2nd

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31
Q

Case for retention

A

Clear accountability

Promotes strong, stable, decisive govt

Stood the test of time so abandoning it is a dangerous step into the unknown

Switching to a different system could have all sorts of unintended consequences

In elections with complex concerns gives voters the opportunity to choose a candidate based on their attitude to such issues, rather than just according to their party allegiance

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32
Q

Case against

A

Disproportionate outcome

Wasted votes in safe seats

Marginal seat votes more valuable - Con vote more valuable than a UKIP vote in 2015

In 2005 Labour won a 66 seat maj from only 35% of the pop vote - damaging the legitimacy of govt

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33
Q

What does the variable top up system do in AMS

A

Parties that do less well in the constituencies have their proportion of list votes adjusted upwards. Those that do well under FPTP have their list votes adjusted downwards, making the results more proportional

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34
Q

What kind of candidates could AMS lead to the election of

A

Extremeists

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35
Q

SNP stats in other deck are from the 2016 Scottish parliamentary elections

A

!

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36
Q

Give some statistics to show how proportional the 2017 NI assembly elections were

A

DUP won 31% of seats from 28% of first preference votes

Sinn Fein 30% from 28%

UUP 11% from 13%

SDLP 13% from 12%

Alliance 9% from 9%

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37
Q

What is SV designed to produce

A

A winner who can lay claim to the support of the majority

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38
Q

Why is SV unlikely to be used to elect MPs

A

Little support for this kind of reform, as most reformers prefer PR to SV

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39
Q

How did SV help Khan achieve an absolute maj in 2016

A

Won 44% of votes from the first round but got a 57% maj after the second round

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40
Q

SV advantages

A

Winning candidate can claim overall maj

Simple and easy to understand

Voters have opportunity to express support more than just one party

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41
Q

Disadvantages

A

The winning candidate may be chosen as a second choice candidate

Still probably entrench of promote a two party system

Third parties would be more excluded from winning seats than under FPTP

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42
Q

Compare them in terms of producing a winning candidate

A

FPTP - Produces a clear winning candidate

STV - Weaker due to multi member constituencies

AMS - has a clear winning candidate but also top up candidates

SV - Even better than FPTP here as it often produces an absolute maj

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43
Q

Securing a mandate

A

FPTP - Normally produces clear mandate

STV - coalitions

AMS - less likely to secure single party govt, but there is one party dominance in Scotland and Wales and Scotland did have a maj after 2011

SV - Possibly better than FPTP here as it promotes the big two parties

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44
Q

Ease for voters

A

FPTP - Easy to understand

STV - More complicated and time consuming but generally works

AMS - Mixture of two systems is complicated but has worked where used

SV - Slightly more complicated but not by much and has worked where used

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45
Q

Stops extremeists and small parties

A

FPTP - Yes

STV - Much more likely smaller or extremist parties gain some representation

AMS - More likely that small parties gain some representation but this is limited

SV - Would make it even harder than FPTP

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46
Q

Proportionality

A

FPTP - Unproportional

SV - Maybe even more than FPTP

STV - Far more PR

AMS - Tempers the worst effects of dispropotionate FPTP outcomes but does not eliminate completely

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47
Q

Constituency link

A

FPTP and SV - Strong

STV - Much weaker

AMS - Strong for FPTP part but weaker with the top up seats

48
Q

What was the Jenkins Commission

A

Independent investigation into the best form of alternative voting, comissioned in 1997 and run by Rory Jenkins. Reported in 1998, proposing AV+ instead of FPTP, these suggestions were not adopted

49
Q

What was the only electoral system used before the election of New Labour

A

FPTP

50
Q

Why did Labour have a manifesto commitment to electoral reform

A

After 18 years of conservative domination they wanted to prevent this happening again

Pledged to modernise British democracy and bring it more into line with other European countries

Before the election, there was a concern they may not gain an absolute maj and would need to form a lib-lab coalition, and the Lib Dems favoured electoral reform

51
Q

How did it get around the fact it no longer wanted to change the westminster electoral system

A

Sought to introduce alternative systems in the new devolved areas

52
Q

Why did they want different systems in the devolved areas

A

They wanted a system that would suit each of their respective contexts

53
Q

Why was STV therefore chosen for NI

A

To reflect the fact it is highly divided and that all the different communties should be represented. 5 different parties achieved significant representation after the 1998 Assembly elections

54
Q

Why is it ironic that the conservatives opposed the change to AMS in Scotland

A

Because it actually allowed the Scottish cons to begin rebuiling support

55
Q

Why has AMS only worked to a degree in Wales

A

Because although it has prevented absolute Labour dominance, Labour is still very much the dominant party

56
Q

Elections enhance democracy…

A

Allow the electorate to hold the govt to account. Clear choice between the govt and other parties

Can created representative assemblies in an organised way at regular intervals

Widespread public confidence that elections are well regulated and the outcomes are genuine expressions of the will of voters

Under FPTP, elections normally produce strong and stable majority govts

UK elections provide strong constituency representation so that voters are confident their interests will be represented

57
Q

Elections do not enhance democracy…

A

Voters may feel a vote for a smaller party is wasted, so the choice may to be as wide as first appears

Elections can cause social rifts. Partisan tensions during heated elections can lead to personal and vitriolic attack as seen in 2017 and 2019

Danger that too many elections will lead to voter apathy and a decline in turnout, particularly with the excessive number of second order elections

FPTP produces majority govts that are supported by a minority of voters

While elections to devolved assemblies are largely proportional, elections to parliament are not, favouring the large parties and discriminating against the smaller ones

Although voters are choosing from a selection of candidates, they are choosing which party they would like to form the govt. This is probably the most important thing in their minds when voting. This is a problem considering the maj of voters do not get the govt they were looking for

58
Q

What does Caroline Lucas say about FPTP

A

Suggests that the type of system influences turnout, thereby undermining democracy as people become disillusioned with the negatives of FPTP

59
Q

Counter this view

A

In second order elections where proportional systems are used turnout has not risen. While some safe seats do see lower turnouts, it is not a consistent picture, suggesting there are other more important factors in determining turnout than the electoral system

60
Q

How would the UK likely change if it adopted PR for westminster elections

A

Might have to get used to the idea of coalition govt. Might also have to get used to the idea of unstable govt. The coalition govt was mixed. It was stable and lasted 5 years with few major parliementary defeats. However, there was also concern that the Lib Dems did not have enough influence, so govt was still dominated by one party. Some evidence that voters were unhappy with the coalition with some feeling betrayed that the Lib Dems helped the cons into power, helping explain why they only won 8 seats in 2015

Unlikely that any smaller parties would want to join a bigger party in coalition following this. Difficult to judge the real level of support for minor parties considering many people who otherwise would don’t vote for them because they think it will be a wasted vote. This was revealed in 2017 when faced with the big issue of Brexit 82% of voters flocked to the big two, the highest combined vote since 1970. However, the weakness of the subsequent minority govt might indicate how this is an undesirable attitude at times of national crisis

Would make it harder for any party to hold a majority. This would prevent excessively powerful govts. Minority govts or coalitions would have to seek consensus on every issue and democracy would possibly be better served

Could also produce instability, with govts frequently failing and having to be reformed, as occurs in some European states. Without a majority, govts would lose decisiveness and would be unable to carry out their mandate

61
Q

What would happen if we used SV

A

With its focus on two party dominantion it would be likely to still produce one party govt, though the big FPTP majorities may become less common. Not inevitable though, as in 2020 Copeland and Middlesborough both elected independent mayors, so it is possible for smaller candidates to win seats, even though how far this would occur is unclear

62
Q

What is pluralism

A

The idea of many groups competing for influence

63
Q

How has the party system developed in recent years

A

General trend of a decline in support for the big two and a rise in support for smaller parties like Reform, the Greens and the SNP. We could ask whether the UK political system is now pluralistic, with voters seeking parties that are more focused on their particular concerns. If this is the case the two party system is doomed regardless of the electoral system. However, voters many ultimately shrink from the multi party system and return to the big 2 as in 2017

64
Q

What would introducing a more proportional system do for the party system

A

Bring about a multi party system. Smaller parties like the Lib Dems, Greens and Plaid would win more seats while big parties like the Cons, Labour and the SNP would win less seats. For some this is desirable as it would provide a pluralist, more representative result and mean that voters are better represented. On the other hand, it might provide an opening for extremeist parties and create a chaotic political system with too many competing parties

65
Q

What would SV do to the party system

A

As a majoritarian system it would further entrench two party dominance and the SNP’s dominance in Scotland. Alternative parties may gain more votes but it would be hard to translate these votes into seats

66
Q

How does FPTP limit voter choice

A

Voters often forced to vote for one of the big 2 as any other vote would be wasted

Sometimes forced to vote tactically, opting for a less preferred choice to influence the outcome

67
Q

Explain the debate between PR and STV

A

Under a PR system nearly every vote counts and nearly every vote is of equal value and the need to tactically vote is reduced. Voters can even discriminate between candidates of the same party. However, we need to ask whether voters want more choice, especially when more choice leads to less stable govt. Critics say PR systems are difficult to understand. Loss of MP constituency bond would be a blow to democracy. Therefore public desire for reform may be limited (68% opposed AV)

The supporters of PR see the debate as between democracy versus elective dictatorship and equality v discrimination. FPTP supporters see the issue in terms of order v chaos and strong v weak govt.

SV would give voters greater choice in their first preference and ensure more votes counted in the result but would still entrench a two party system

68
Q

Why is it difficult to know how voters feel about electoral reform

A

The major parties rarely refer to it and it appears to be low down the list of voter priorities at elections

69
Q

What is the AV

A

Majoritarian system that uses preferential voting, with the candidates with the fewest votes being eliminated until one candidate gains an absolute maj. Used in Australia and for Labour Party leadership elections. Used for by elections in STV systems and is unlikely to be considered in the future

70
Q

The result of the 2011 referendum should not be taken to indicate that public opinion is opposed to reform. Several reasons voters rejected that were unrelated to their desire for change…

A

Proposed by the Lib Dems who were unpopular at the time so the vote may have been more of a expression of dissatisfaction at them

AV is complex and so voters may have rejected because they did not understand it

Pro reform campaign was poorly run while the anti reform campaign was well funded and organised

71
Q

Before when were referendums largely unknown in the UK political system

A

1975

72
Q

Why did an attempt to hold one in NI in 1973 fail

A

Half the community boycotted it

73
Q

What did 1979 referendums do

A

Determine whether of not Scotland and Wales should become devolved

74
Q

When did the use of them become commonplace

A

1997 - after the election of New Labour

75
Q

What have referendums been used to do since then

A

Establish constitutional reforms, promote democracy and test public opinion

76
Q

When was the 2nd national referendum

A

2011

77
Q

Few of the New Labour referendums were controversial or a source for major concern. How has this changed since 2011

A

Two hugely significant ones have been held that have a profound impact on UK govt and politics

78
Q

Why was the Brexit referendum different to normal referendums

A

Because instead of being asked to choose between yes and no they were asked to choose between leave and remain

79
Q

Why can referendums only ever be an advisory means of testing public opinion

A

Because PS means only parliament can only ever enact constitutional reform

80
Q

Give some statistics to show how elections hold popular/democratic sovereignty

A

Despite 80% of MPs supporting remaining, 77% voted to trigger article 50 to leave the EU. Even though there was no clear Brexit plan, politicians felt the will of the people had to be respected, even though legally it did not have to respect their opinion

81
Q

Why was a Scottish ref held in 1997

A

Should additional powers he devolved to Scotland and a Scottish parliament be established

82
Q

Result

A

74-26

83
Q

Turnout

A

60%

84
Q

Why was a Welsh ref held in 1997

A

Should additional powers be devolved to Wales and a Welsh assembly set up

85
Q

Result

A

50.3-49.7

86
Q

Turnout

A

50%

87
Q

Why were these two refs held

A

Fundamental change in the system of govt needed popular consent

88
Q

Why was a 1998 ref held

A

Should the GFA be implemented

89
Q

Result

A

71-29

90
Q

Turnout

A

81%

91
Q

Why held

A

Required support across the whole divided community

92
Q

Why in 2004

A

Should additional powers be devolved to northeast england and a regional assembly established

93
Q

Why held

A

Fundamental change in system of govt needed popular consent

94
Q

Result

A

22-78

95
Q

Turnout

A

48%

96
Q

Why in 2011 Wales

A

Should further powers be devolved to Welsh Assembly

97
Q

Result

A

64-37

98
Q

Turnout

A

36%

99
Q

Why held

A

Fundamental change in govt required popular consent

100
Q

Why held on AV

A

Coalition divided on electoral reform

101
Q

Result

A

32-68

102
Q

Turnout

A

42%

103
Q

Ref regulations

A

In national and regional ones, there is an official recognition of bodies that campaign on either side of the debate. Expenditure regulated to ensure both sides spend relatively equal funds, this is done by the EC. They also work to ensure both sides do not issue false info and organises the counting of votes

104
Q

What is the crucial similarity between elections and refs

A

Both grant legitimacy. Elections mean winners can claim a mandate for their policies; through refs the electorate directly grants their authority to govt to do something

105
Q

What are the two reasons that govts should never call a referendum unless they are confident about what the result should be

A

Normally used as consent to introduce policies they want to introduce. A good example was the New Labour policy of devolution having to be enshrined through popular consent. The govt was confident it would win the three votes

If the govt supports a side it will be in a difficult position if it loses. It is a severe blow to its authority. Cameron resigned. Led to a complete change in the govt stance on Europe and many ministers lost their positions or resigned

106
Q

Impact of indyref

A

The result was what the govt had wanted. Had a major impact on the politics of devolution. The closeness of the outcome gave a huge boost to the SNP. As the outcome was thrown into doubt the big three were all forced to promise Scotland greater powers for its govt and parliament. The govt won the vote but it was too close for comfort. Did not result in independence but did shift power towards Edinburgh. The fact that 62% of Scots voted to remain caused further issues, therefore being dragged out of the EU against their expressed will. Calls for indyref to so Scots can choose whether or not to be part of the EU

107
Q

Give another example of a ref having a political impact despite not achieving its aims

A

Can removed policies from the immediate political agenda, as occured on electoral reform in 2011

108
Q

How did Brexit change public attitude towards refs

A

Until recently public opinion seemed to be in favour, especially after indyref. Deemed a success because it involved the vast maj or Scots and the result was emphatic enough to settle the issue for some time to come. Brexit ref shocked the political establishment and was totally unexpected in light of opinion polls, demonstrating how divided UK society had become

It did settle the issue, the UK had to leave the EU, but it also led to fears that the substantial minority who had voted to remain were being ignored and marginalised. Many commentators suspected that many of those who voted to leave were not voting on the issue of the EU itself but on the broader concern their voices were not being heard by Westminster. Revealed many of the concerns that people have expressed about refs. The winning side had a different perspective. Successful exercise in popular democracy. Conventional politics had been defeated by the will of the majority. In this exciting moment people had created history. Following the controversies of 2016 and the depth of division it caused future govts will be very wary about calling refs

109
Q

Refs should be used to settle political issues

A

Purest form of democracy, uncorrupted by filter or representative democracy. Demonstrate the will of the people, as occured with the Brexit ref

Can mend rifts in society, as occured with the decisive result on GFA

Can solve conflicts within the political system and so stave of a crisis. Especially the case in 1975 and 2016

Particularly useful when the expressed (rather than implied) consent of the people is important, so that the decision will be respected. Very true on the 1997 devolution votes

People arguably more informed than ever now due to internet and social media. More capable of making decisions for themselves rather than relying on elected reps

110
Q

Refs should not be used to settle political issues

A

The people may not be able to understand the complexities of an issue such as the consequences of leaving the EU or adopting a new electoral system

Cause social rifts. Occurred after 2014 and 2016

Danger that excessive use could undermine representative democracy. This has been a danger in some US states

Tyranny of the majority. The winning majority can force the minority to accept a change that is against their interests. The Scots claimed they were being tyrannised by the English majority post Brexit ref

Voters may be swayed by rational rather than emotional appeals. Could also be influenced by false info

Some questions cannot be reduced to a simply yes/no answer and are more complicated. In 2011 perhaps several different options should have been considered

111
Q

How many relevant refs as examples should you use in an essay

A

4

112
Q

Are refs a better form of democracy

A

!

113
Q

Extension of devolution to Wales, 2011

A

To combat the issue of assymetrical devolution, all major parties promised to commit further devo to Wales in 2010. Govt developed a set of proposals that would give the Welsh Assembly primary legislative powers and further admin powers. These proposals then put to the people

Gave people a choice that had not previously existed, where they could vote against further devo, and removed the issue of devo from other pressing issues, such as economics following the financial crisis, providing a better form of democracy

The low turnout when compared to the 2010 and 2015 GEs suggests a lack of voter engagement. Result mirrored the outcome of the manifestos of the major parties, suggesting it was neither popular nor necessary

114
Q

AV ref, 2011

A

Coalition compromise between the Lib Dem desire for a more proportional system and the desire of the conservative party to avoid this reform.

Allowed the public to voice their opinion on electoral reform that had not been supported to any great degree by the two main parties and that had not been prominent in any election campaign, and gave the opportunity to test public opinion on a major constitutional issue

Low turnout and decisive win for FPTP suggests that electoral reform was not an issue that concerned the electorate and should have been left to MPs to decide. The majority who lacked political engagement and education voted to keep FPTP because they did not understand the proposed change, suggesting refs should not rely on the opinions of a public that is not concerned with the issues involved

115
Q

Indyref

A

In 2011 parliamentary elections SNP won an outright majority, giving a mandate on its manifesto pledge for an indyref. Westminster passed an act allowing Holyrood to hold the ref within a year

Turnout higher than in any elections, showing an increase in public participation and engagement. Issue widely and hotly debated, increasing political education and engagement in Scotland, so much so that turnout has increased in subsequent elections. Scots able to determine their own course on a key issue in a way that the relatively small number of Scottish Westminster MPs could not

116
Q

EU ref 2016

A

As the result of UKIP gaining support in opinion polls and increasing tensions within the con party, Cameron pledged to hold this ref

Turnout higher than in any GE since 1992. The fact the majority chose to leave while the majority of MPs supported remain suggests they are useful in keeping represenatives in tune with public opinion. The only serious party advocating leave in the 2015 GE (UKIP) won 13% of the vote and this shows that elections are compromises and that clearer more popular choices can be made through refs

The fact that there was no clear plan has led to upheaval and tensions since. A range of complex issues have emerged that suggest that refs are too simple a tool to determine major constitutional issues. Accusations made that the public opinion was manipulated by false campaigning

117
Q

Advantages of using representative democracy to make key decisions

A

More likely to be rational rather than emotional. Many voters were concerned about immigration in the EU ref and were responding to appeals to their patriotism and the perceived dangers to British values posed by migrants. MPs could weigh up the benefits as well as the issues caused by large numbers of migrants

MPs have experts to help them make decisions. Can ensure they are basing their judgements on accurate info. Most people rely on the media for their info, at best conflicting and at worst dubious

MPs have to consider competing interests and the concerns of majorities and minorities. Voters usually have to think of their own interests. In indyref voters did not have to consider the impact on the UK as a whole. In the EU ref voters did not need to consider the impact on NI

Expectation that MPs are in a better position to make a reasoned judgement than ordinary people with less knowledge and understanding of complex issues. Judgement and good sense are qualities we consider when we elect them

Politics (Mr Drew) (42 decks)

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