First Past The Post Flashcards
How does FPTP work
- MP elected in single member constituencies
- electors cast vote on ballot paper
How are constituent boundaries determined
- independent boundary commissions review size of electorate in each constituency every 8-12 years
= large changes can happen within that time
Define a safe seat
- refers to constituency where current MP or party are both secure= possibility of seat being lost during election very low
- eg conservatives safe seats in rural areas like Surrey and London (chelsea etc)
= lower turnout
Define a marginal seat
- seat in parliament won by small number of votes usually 10% or under
= small swing of votes can result in loss or gain of a seat
= higher turnout
Describe 2 party system
electorate gives its votes largely to only two major parties and in which one or the other party can win a majority in the legislature
Eg- 1955 election conservatives and labour score more than 46% but 2% swing= conservatives gain 23 more seats
Describe winners bonus
FPTP exaggerates amount of support that most popular party received
= can make minor lead in the percentage of votes turn into a large lead in terms of seats= strengthening the legitimacy of the majority party
Eg 1987+1983 conservatives did this
Describe bias to a major party
- FPTP biased to 1 of the 2 major parties
= take adv of tactical voting used by parties
= some parties require fewer seats to be in power - system favoured labour from 1990s till 2010 then conservatives
Discrimination against third and smaller parties
- FPTP discriminates 3rd parties
- disadv by mechanics of FPTP= harder for smaller groups to win
- smaller parties have credibility problem believe wasted vote
- 2015 UKIP second in 120 constituencies but only with 10% votes
Single party government
- FPTP single party majority govs
- when single party majority vote
= sole control of seats and gov - other parties have no say
- 2 of last 4 general elections delivered single party govs
- 2010 Lib Dem first coalition since ww2
Overall adv FPTP
Simplicity
Clear outcome
Strong and stable gov
Responsible gov
Effective representation
Keeps out extremist parties
Overall dis FPTP
Electoral deserts
Votes of unequal value
Limited choice
Divisive politics
Disproportional outcome
How many MPs in parliament
650
How many seats needed to win majority
326
Describe a by-election
Choose new representative of a constituency seat in HOC is vacant
Who holds power in UK that’s not elected
Head of state (hereditary monarch)
Upper chamber of parliament (house of lords)
Judiciary
