UK Politics (3) Electoral Systems/Referendums Flashcards
Plurality…
The number of votes cast for the winning candidate but does not receive an overall majority
Safe seats…
Constituencies where the sitting MP has a large majority and has no chance of losing
Marginal seats…
Seats which are held by a small majority and could easily change hands with a small swing to the opposition.
Different types of electoral systems…
First Past the Post
Additional Member System Single Transferable Vote
Supplementary Vote
First Past the Post (FPTP)…
Used in Westminster elections
Voters put a cross next to their preferred candidate
Additional Member System (AMS)…
Used in Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd.
The voter has two votes - one for a constituency representative.
The other vote is for a party and seats divided using a proportional system
Single Transferable Vote (STV)…
A form of PR
A vote can transferred from candidate to candidate
Uses multi candidate constituencies
Supplementary Vote (SV)…
Voters chose 1st and 2nd choice
If any candidate gets over 50% they win outright,
If not, 2nd choices are counted.
This continues with candidates dropping out until one candidate has over 50%
The consequences of electoral system choice…
Fairness - Votes count equally?
Choice - Do voters have lots of choice?
Constituency - Do people feel represented?
Governments - Are they strong and stable?
The functions of elections…
Representation
Participation
Accountability
Choosing a government
Involvement in policy
FPTP plus points…
Speed
Simplicity
Strong governments
No extremists
FPTP drawbacks…
Gov/MP elected on less than 50%
No Proportionality
Winners bonus
Votes not equal
Limited voter choice
AMS plus points…
Some proportionality
Constituency link
More voter choice
AMS drawbacks…
Two different type of member
Complicated
Lists dominated by the leadership
Small parties less representation
STV plus points…
close link between votes and seats
Voter Choice
Works in Northern Ireland
