UK - AMS Eectoral System Flashcards
Proportionality positive evidence
smaller parties are usually given the number of seats roughly equal to the number of votes they received.
Evidence of this is in 2016, the Labour Party and Conservative Party (Scot) both got around 20% of the vote and each had around 20% of the seats in the Scottish parliament.
Proportionally negative evidence
the number of votes a party receives does not always equate to the number of seats they are given.
Evidence of this is that in 2016, the Lib Dems received 7% of the votes and The Greens received 4%, yet they gained one more seat than the Lib Dems.
Power of voters positive evidence
citizen’s votes can help to gain regional seats for their favoured party even if that party doesn’t win in their constituency.
An example of this is that a Labour voter in Clydesdale constituency would’ve been disappointed by the SNP winning the seat in their constituency in 2021, but their vote would have helped towards gaining 3 Labour seats in the South Scotland region.
Power of votes negative evidence
parties get to decide which MSPs they put on their lists for the regional vote and the higher someone is on this list, the more likely it is they will remain an MSP.
Evidence of this is that the SNP placed Emma Harper 1st on their regional list for the South of Scotland in 2021, and she remains the MSP today.
Stable government positive evidence
smaller parties can influence government decision making, providing a better representation of the variety of the UK’s opinions.
Evidence of this is that the SNP have had to make deals with the Greens in the past to pass their budget, giving these parties and their supporters more power.
Stable government negative evidence
parties who received fewer votes can gain disproportionate influence even though most voters didn’t want them in power.
Evidence of this is that the Greens only received 4% of the vote in 2016, but were still able to assist the SNP (who had almost 50% of the vote) in passing their budget.
Provides a local link positive evidence
citizens are able to get in touch with their constituency MSP, to have local issues publicised to the government.
An example of this is that people living in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth could contact MSP Jamie Hepburn via email or phone call.
Provides a local link negative evidence
there is a large number of MSPs in each region, therefore citizens may be confused on who to contact.
Evidence of this is that there are 7 SNP MSP’s, 6 Conservative and 3 Labour. (South Scotland regional list vote)
