UK: Electoral systems

Question 1

What is FPTP and where is it used?

Answer 1

Used in general elections, voters vote for an MP for their constituency, whichever party has the most MPs forms a government.

Question 2

What is AMS and where is it used?

Answer 2

Used in the Scottish and Welsh Parliament, voters have 2 votes- one for a constituent MP and one for a regional party. A majority of MPs are selected from the FPTP portion (73 Scot.) and the rest from the list (56 Scot.)

Question 3

What is STV and where is it used?

Answer 3

Used in Northern Ireland, voters rank their candidates from 1-3 (or higher if they like). Electoral quota calculated for 1-votes, no.votes divided by seats, and if any candidate reaches this on 1 votes alone they are elected. Candidates are eliminated as they don’t reach the quota until the 6 with the most votes remain

Question 4

What are the strengths of FPTP?

Answer 4

1. Easy to understand, in the 2011 vote reform referendum voters reported not understanding proposed system
2. Quick to count, which prevents accusations of fraud/tampering
3. Close MP and constituency bond (e.g. PM Boris Johnson voted against his own party to ban fracking due to the wishes of his constituency, Oxbridge and South Ruislip)
4. Produces a clear winner most of the time, and provides a strong, stable government- and prevents extremist, small parties from breaking in

Question 5

What are the strengths of FPTP? (4)

Answer 5

1. Easy to understand, in the 2011 vote reform referendum voters reported not understanding proposed system
2. Quick to count, which prevents accusations of fraud/tampering
3. Close MP and constituency bond (e.g. PM Boris Johnson voted against his own party to ban fracking due to the wishes of his constituency, Oxbridge and South Ruislip)
4. Produces a clear winner most of the time (2010/17 no), and provides a strong, stable government- and prevents extremist, small parties from breaking in

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of FPTP? (4)

Answer 6

1. Not proportional or, arguably, fair, with percentage of votes not translating to seats
2. Leads to safe seats, lack of campaigning or consideration for these areas and wasted votes
3. Tactical voting means voters don’t necessarily support the party they vote for (e.g. Green supporters voting Labour)
4. Small parties generally unable to break into the system, political ‘inertia’ e.g. since 1945 the winning party has not had a >50% vote

Question 7

What are the strengths of AMS? (3)

Answer 7

1. More proportional, far to all parties
2. Gives voters more choice and combines the interests of preserving constituency representation AND proportional outcome
3. helps small parties which couldn’t otherwise win constituencies

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of AMS? (3)

Answer 8

1. Creates 2-classes of representative, constituency and list MPs, and list MPs tend to be senior (e.g. Nicola Sturgeon leader of SNP is the Glaswegian MP, no constituency)
2. More complex than FPTP, bit confusing
3. Can result in the election of extremist candidates

Question 9

What are the strengths of STV? (3)

Answer 9

1. Most proportional system
2. Wide choice of candidates from multiple and same parties- and all opinions are taken into consideration
3. Helps small parties and independent candidates

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of STV? (3)

Answer 10

1. Complex system, some voters do not understand
2. Vote counting is complicated, takes a very long time
3. 6 candidates per constituency, lines of accountability are not clear also helps extremist candidates

Question 11

What is SV and where is it used?

Answer 11

Used in London Mayoral election, candidates get two votes, first and second preference- if a candidate achieves +50% they are elected automatically. If not, eliminated candidates (those who are not top two) have their second choices added on to the top two

Question 12

What are the strengths of SV?

Answer 12

1. winning candidate can claim overall majority (e.g. Sadiq Khan 2016 wins election and 56.8% votes total)
2. Relatively simple for voters to understand
3. Voters have chance to express support for multiple candidates (as well as protest)

Question 13

What are the weaknesses of SV?

Answer 13

1. Winning candidate could be second-choice candidate
2. Entrenches 2 party system
3. Third parties more excluded from winning seats than under FPTP

Question 14

Arguments for reforming FPTP

Answer 14

1. Not proportional (conservatives win 2015 with 36.9% and majority of 4)
2. Winner’s bonus
3. Electoral dictatorships

Question 15

Arguments against reforming FPTP

Answer 15

1. New system may have unintended consequences
2. Hard to understand
3. 2011 referendum most people voted no