UK Elections

Question 1

What are the three main electoral systems practiced in the UK

Answer 1

First Past The Post

Alternative Vote

Additional member system

Supplementary vote

Question 2

What is the FPTP

Answer 2

Popularly known as a ‘plurality’ voting system used in the to elect MPs and the PM across 650 constituencies.

Question 3

Summarise the FPTP in 5 key points

Answer 3

• It’s a ‘winner take all’ system - whichever candidate gets the most votes wins.
• Candidates do not need to win a majority of votes to win
• Its is used in general elections in the UK to elect representatives ( MPs) to the House Of Commons.
• Focuses on two main parties

Question 4

Key elections since 1945

Answer 4

• 1979
• 1997
• 2010
• 2016
• 2019

Question 5

Strengths of the FPTP

Answer 5

Provides a strong govt ( 1965; 1983; 1997)

Simple and Easy to understand: ( voters put an X next to their preferred candidate)

Each constituency is represented by one MP, so constituents know whom to contact or hold accountable in their constituency.

Produces a two-party system, giving voters a clear choice between two broad parties, each of which has a realistic chance of forming a govt

makes it difficult for extremist parties to win seats.

Question 6

Weaknesses of FPTP

Answer 6

Small majorities ( weaker govt) 2015,2017, and coalition in 2010.

Small swings in voting deliver disproportionate outcomes.

Encourages tactical voting ( when a voter supports a candidate other than his or her sincere preference in order to prevent an undesirable outcome) seen in 1997;

Low turnout.

The party chooses the candidate, not the voter.

Question 7

What are the arguments put forward for the abolition of the FPTP

Answer 7

Voting:

• Millions of votes are wasted
• Encourages tactical voting
• Provides low turnout.

Constituencies:

• Voters in safe seats can feel that there is no point in voting if they do not support that party.
• Elections campaigns tend to ignore safe seats and focus instead on marginal seats ( in 2017 there were only 97 marginal seats) meaning that the vast majority of seats were uncompetitive.

Parties:

• It is difficult for new parties to break into politics.
• Minor parties struggle to convince supporters to vote for them, as their vote is likely to b wasted.

Govt

• The UK has a Multi-party system but a voting system designed for two parties.
• Since 2010 the rise of minor and regional parties ( the SNP since 2015) has made it difficult for the main parties to win a majority.

Question 8

Distinguish between Majority, Minority and coalition govt

Answer 8

Majority gov - one political party has an absolute majority of seats in parliament and forms a govt.

Min govt - No political party has an absolute majority of seats in parliament.

Coalition govt - No political party has an absolute majority of seats in parliament.

Question 9

How does the electoral system influence the party system

Clear outcome 
Constituency representation, 
Proportionality in representation, 
Voter Choice 
Mix of systems

Answer 9

• Clear Outcome
• Constituency representation
• Voter choice at a local level
• Fairness and Proportionality in representation.

Promotes mis of systems; 2010 - 15 coalition gov ; 2017 minority gov.

Though the system is set up for a clear outcome and the consistency as the unit of choice.

Question 10

What factors influence voter choice

Answer 10

Geography

Class

Gender

Generation

Ethnicity

Question 11

How does Geography influences voter choice

Answer 11

e.g