parliament - elections Flashcards
nz has what type of representation system
MMp
the introduction of MMP increaesed
substantive representation with more ideologies represented by minor parties as well as more women, Maori and other oppressed group representation in parl
voters get two votes a …
electorate vote and a party vote
what is an electorate vote
the candidate that receives the most electorate votes from voters in their electorate becomes the local member of Parliament.
electorate vote is not majority it is
plurality of votes, just need to get the most votes In that area
how many electorates (general , Maori)
72 - 65 general, 7 maori
maori electorates attempt to
ensure Maori representation
maori voter must enroll
on the Maori electorate roll to vote in these electorates
why are maori electorate questionable
because it takes accountability and responsibility off other politicians elected to maori
what is the party vote
determines the the final number of mps that a party has in the HOR
how does the party vote work
all successful candidates enter into the HOR, as electoral mps, with the remaining 48 seats allocated to parties which needs to proportionately match their share of the party vote
what vote is the determinant of the make up of parliament
the party vote
if party win more seats that allocated, overhang more than 120
if additional seats, distributed in line with list Mps
parties also determine where candidates
get to contest for electorates and where they list on the PARTY list
what are the two thresholds parties needs to get to be represented in the HOR
- get at least 5% party vote
- win an electorate seat
once the make up of parliament is settled, parties from
collations in order to try to ascertain **support from a majority **of Mps in the house for their proposed government
in rare situations, governments can
govern alone, 2020 election
the eventual forming of the govt forms the
government and the opposition
the governments aim is to stay in power so that they can
continue to decide policy and run the country by making themselves look good and the opposition bad
the govt and the opposition usually vote along team lines to
appear unified to the public
what are 3 exceptions to the govt and the opposition usually voting along team lines
- opp and govt often have different views, conflict
- conscience votes, mp don’t have to vote w party - euthanasia
- there is also sometimes bispartatin support for a bill
the govt must vote together on
confidence and supply votes
the govt must vote together on confidence and supply votes because
there will be found to be no confidence on the govt if they fail to achieve a majority on these votes - resign
what are confidence votes and how often
general votes of confidence that occur around 4 times per year
what are supply votes and when to they occur
supply votes occur whenever the executive asks for the legislature to provide money
what is political accountability
keeps the HOR broadly in line with the publics preferences as they must get votes to get power
what is the iron rule of political contest
describes the fundamental constitutional principles of responsible govt and representative government in action, creating political accountability
the competition between political parties for representation/survival …
drives every that happens in parliament as parties act in ways that maximise votes as this determines their power/ survival, creates political limitations on what a party can do
a key way for government to remain in power is
to get things done e.g. pass legislation
although the opposition govt wants to get into power they are ….
limited as to how they can do this as they ca only criticise the govt and propose alternatives
individual Mps are constantly
trying to gain attention, achieve re-election and climb up the party list
what is the main confidnece vote
- buget vote
- if you cannot win your budget vote you will have to resign and govt
