positive and negatives of current electoral systems

Question 1

positives of current electoral systems

Answer 1

-Uk elections provide a strong constituency link so that voters are confident that there will be representation of their interests
- under FPTP elections usually produce strong and stable governments, with majorities in the HOC
- there is widespread public confidence that elections in the UK are well regulated and that the outcomes are genuine expressions of the will of the voters
- elections create representative assemblies in an organised way at regular intervals
- elections allow the outgoing government to hold the government to account. There is clear choice between the government and other parties

Question 2

negatives of current electoral systems?

Answer 2

• voters may feel that a vote for a smaller party is wasted, so the choice is not as wide as may appear
• elections can cause social rifts. Partisan tensions during heated elections can lead to personal and vitriolic attacks as outlined in the 2017 and 2019 general elections
  -while elections to devolved assemblies are generally proportional, elections to Westminster are not proportional. Exaggerating the popularity of large parties and discriminating against small parties
• there is a danger that too many elections will lead to voter apathy and decline in turnout particularly with excessive numbers of second order elections from devolved bodies and local elections
• under FPTP elections produce majority governments that are, nevertheless, supported by a minority of the electorate