FPTP Flashcards
What is FPTP
. FPTP is a majoritarian system where the group which receives the most votes wins that election, this electoral system generally results in a lot of wasted votes.
State 2 advantages of FPTP
. Simplicity - FPTP is easy to understand and operate meaning people are a lot less likely to make mistakes when voting meaning less wasted/ not counted votes.
. By favouring the main parties and giving the winning party additional seats if they win, ensures that a strong Government is formed as that Government has significant control over the legislative process which enables them to enact their Manifesto and act decisively in times of crisis.
State 2 disadvantage of FPTP?
. Wasted Votes - Leads to a lot of wasted votes due to the prescience of safe seats. Any votes casted for the losing candidate in a these constituencies and any other constituency will in effect be wasted as they will not help those people’s chosen candidate get the seat.
. Plurality rather than majority support - victorious candidates do not need to secure a majority of the votes cast e.g. Two thirds of MPs in the 2010 general election did not achieve a majority in their constituency. This essentially means that most voters are represented by an MP who is not from their chosen party.
