First past the post Flashcards
Explain three reasons why using the first past the post system is used to elect MPs into the Uk parliment
P- Its easy for the voters to understand
E- This is because its straight foward to use as all you do is put an “x” beside the candidate of your choice and the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner
E- Here in Kirckaldy and Cowdenbeath Neale Hanvey (Alba) is our MP because he polled more votes that any other candidate
P- You have directly elected candidates
E- Most people will know who there MP is. MPs also deal with reserved matters, you can vist there surgery if you have a problem that needs to be dealt with.
E- Here in Kirckaldy and Cowdenbeath Neal Hanveys surgaries are advertised in local newspapers like the fife free press and on face book
P- Its harder for extremist parties to get elected
E- In a democracy everyone should have a voice but the vast majority of democrats beleive that extremists views have no place in a democracy. Some forms of PR like the list system have allowed extremist parties to be elected
E- It would be very difficult for a party like the BNP to get elected under TPTP
Explain three reasons why the first past the post system is not a good way of electing MPs
P- The Mp elected does not have to get over 50% of the votes
E- In a democracy many people believe this is unfair and many voters feel their votes are “wasted”
E- In 2019 our MP Neale Hanvey won with 35% of the votes. This means that 65% of the people were disenfranchised.
P- The FPTP does not give a fair result
E- Sine the end of WW2 no government has ever been elected with over 50% of the votes, yet governments formed by Thatcher and Boris had well over 50% of the seats
E- From 2003-2007 Scotland had a ‘rainbow parliment’ which included greens, scottish socalist, pensioner party and indipendents.
Advantages and disadvantages
p-Easy to use and understand.
E- All voters are required to do is put a X next to their preferred candidate. This encourages people to vote unlike more complicated voting systems.
E- 67% of the electorate voted in the 2019 General Election showing most people used their right to vote.
P- Unfair on smaller parties.
E- It is unlikely that a small party will get the most votes in a constituency as their support is more widespread. E- However, a Green MP was elected in the Brighton constituency in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
