FPTP

Question 1

Plurality system

Answer 1

. Each voter can only vote for one candidate
. Candidate who achieves most votes(plurality) is elected
. Candidate can get much less than 50% but still be elected

Question 2

Safe seats

Answer 2

. Safe constituency which does not swing
. 2017: Labour retained Liverpool Walton with 85.7 % of the vote

Question 3

Marginal seats

Answer 3

. A marginal seat is one held with a very small lead
. Money and campaigning of parties are mostly held at these areas
. 2017: SNP won north east fife by only 2 votes

Question 4

How FPTP works

Answer 4

1. uk is divided into 650 constituencies
2. To stand in election, candidate pays a deposit which is returned if 5% of the vote is obtained
3. One vote given to each electorate
4. Winner needs plurality of votes( one more than rival)
5. For general elections, parties need to get atleast 326 MPs to win

Question 5

Advantages of FPTP

Answer 5

. Stability and strong

. MPs have a close relation with constituents and regularly meet them at surgeries

. Popular vote wins

.simple and easy

. Quick to produce result : 2017 Newcastle declare resultafter 60 mins of polls closed

. FPTP keeps out small, extremist parties

Question 6

Disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 6

.In favour of two main parties due to concentrated support, so govt is unrepresentative

. Votes are wasted

. Most MP s do not achieve more than 50% of votes in their constituent

. Discriminates smaller parties