Plurality Systems and PR Systems

Question 1

What are 7 strengths of FPTP?

Answer 1

• easy to operate/understand, quick results, slightly cheaper.
• strong/stable governments. Winner has larger proportion of seats than votes – winner’s bonus. Clear majority. Easy to pass legislation and the party will last a full term. Can, theoretically, deliver its whole mandate.
• Accountable Government Voters know who to punish/reward at next election.
• Strong constituency link between MPs and constituents. Everyone knows who MP is/everyone has one representative
• Moderate Representation elected party have mainstream views. Extremist parties can’t gain representation and never arrive in government.
• Said to be popular - supported in 2011 referendum. Conservatives /Labour support FPTP. No real support for AV. NO vote – 68% want to keep FPTP. Turnout was 42%. Electoral mandate to keep FPTP.
• UK political tradition. Familiar with the system. Been used since democracy commenced - part of the UK constitutional tradition. Always worked.

Question 2

What are 6 weaknesses of FPTP?

Answer 2

• Not proportional Large parties over-represented (Labour + Conservatives, SNP in Scotland) Medium-sized parties under-represented (Lib Dems). Small parties little/no representation (Greens, UKIP, Brexit Party). Unfair system.
• Poor Representation Voters whose chosen party was not elected are unrepresented. Small party voters may not vote – no point (low turnout). Many have MP who won less than 50% of the vote e.g. 1/3 of constituencies. Votes are wasted – losing candidates, excess votes for winners. Some vote tactically – is this democracy?
• Elective Dictatorship Winner has a large majority and controls Parliament. Government represents less than 50% of voters. Can mostly do as it likes for 5 years.
• Produces adversarial politics, changes of policy, disruption and lack of continuity. Typically maintains a traditional two-party system; difficult for new parties to become established.
• Marginal and Safe Seats Parties concentrate efforts on marginal seats. About 25% of seats are marginal seats. Electors taken for granted e.g. County Durham, Suffolk, Hampshire. Unfair/biased towards voters in swing/marginal seats
• Party with most votes can lose election (fewer seats gained). This happened in 1951 (Churchill, Conservative) and in February 1974 (Harold Wilson, Labour)

Question 3

What are 7 strengths of PR systems?

Answer 3

• More representative – fairer distribution of seats. Proportion of seats is close to the proportion of votes
• Less Adversarial System. Coalitions cause greater policy continuity and fewer swings between left/right. Parties cooperate more.
• Reassurance to minorities - more likely to be represented in Parliament/government.
• Votes are not ‘wasted’ sometimes, all votes important e.g. STV. Less tactical voting. Higher turnouts – more point in voting for small parties as they can be elected on small percentages.
• Fewer safe seats; Marginal seats do not decide the election. Votes counted proportionately, every vote important in every constituency.
• PR systems nearly always create coalition governments, representing a majority of voters.
• Parties whose vote is geographically scattered (thinly distributed) are still represented nationally.

Question 4

What are weaknesses of PR systems?

Answer 4

• Coalition governments may fail to work harmoniously/prone to collapse over political disagreements.
• Governments are not accountable – difficult for voters to assign blame or reward for certain policies
• Sometimes the link between constituent and MP is weak (depends on the system used e.g. Closed List).
• Small party enters a coalition government, can wield a great deal of power. Small extremist parties can be elected or even arrive in power. Small parties have too much power.
• Secret Deals Voters do not know who their chosen party will form an alliance with beforehand – danger of secret and unpopular deals. Coalition governments can create strange alliances.