STV

Question 1

Where is it used and why ?

Answer 1

• Used in NI due to the tense political situation so every group is represented as proportionately as possible

Question 2

What is used in NI and how does it work ?

Answer 2

• Single transferable vote
• There are 6 seats per constituency and voters rank the candidates, after this is counted an electoral quota is calculated for first preferences and if any candidates meet this quota they are automatically elected and this continues until 6 candidates have met the quota and been elected

Question 3

What government is produced ?

Answer 3

– results in a coalition or multi party government

Question 4

How can it be argued that STV better satisfies voters ?

Answer 4

• 88% of all voters in 2019 being represented by an MP from their first-choice party – compared to 55% under FPTP

Question 5

How does STV better represent smaller parties ?

Answer 5

• 2017 : DUP had 28 seats, SF had 27 and in total 5 parties had more than 8 seats (out of 90)
• whereas in the 2017 general election (FPTP) only 4 parties received 8 or more seats

Question 6

How is STV more proportional ?

Answer 6

• 2016 : SF had 25.9% of the vote and 28 seats which is highly proportional

Question 7

How are people better represented under STV ?

Answer 7

• 18 constituencies and there are 5 members for each constituency suggesting you are likely to have a representative who is ideologically compatible
• Multi member constituency so views are more likely to be listened to

Question 8

Advantage of STV for smaller parties ?

Answer 8

• It helps smaller party and Independent candidates to be elected

Question 9

How is it shown that STV doesn’t produce an effective government ?

Answer 9

• Power sharing is complicated and unsuccessful eg 2017-2020 it was suspended due to inability to cooperate
• Unlike in UK general elections no clear leader is produced

Question 10

How is accountability blurred ?

Answer 10

• Unlike general elections, there is no clear one person to hold accountable as each constituency has 5 representatives
• Accountability lines are unclear

Question 11

How does STV allow extremists to take advantage ?

Answer 11

• Extremist candidates are elected eg traditional unionist voice has a seat in the NI assembly (2017)
• Unlike UK where 2010 BNP was the 5th largest party yet got no seats

Question 12

How is the voter turnout a disadvantage ?

Answer 12

It is a complex system which voters don’t understand (65% turnout in 2016 compared to 69% in the 2017 general election)