How are elections carried out in the UK?

Question 1

Explain the first past the post system

Answer 1

• first past the post system: an electoral system where the person with the most number of votes is elected; victory is achieved by having one more vote than other contenders - it also called a plurality system
• it is where voting is conducted by constituencies and the candidate with the most votes in that constituency takes a seat in the House of Commons
• it was also used in the most recent Mayor of London & Local Council elections (May 2024)

Question 2

How do first past the post systems work?

Answer 2

• it operates on the basis of “a simple plurality”; also called the “Simple Plurality System”
• the UK is split into 650 constituencies (a geographical area)
• it is one MP per constituency takes - that is why constituencies are called “seats”
• in the UK, we have “single Member seats”

Question 3

What are the consequences of the first past the post system?

Answer 3

• a party can form a majority government if it achieves more seats than all other parties combined
• in the UK there are currently 650 seats in the House of Commons, this means a party that acquires 326 seats; this is in a majority position & forms a government
• the leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister
• governments under FPTP can be formed if a party does not have a majority of seats, but this is rare (minority governments/coalitions)