Evaluate the view that proportional representation should be introduced for UK general elections.
INTRODUCTION P1: BROADLEY PROPORTIONAL P2:Safe/Marginal Seats
Proportional representation an electoral system in AMS is likely to produce a broadly proportional Using PR live SV is unlikely to produce safe seats which
which parties gain seats in proportion to the outcome according to Jenkins report, as AMS is set to allows minor parties to gain a better chance at governing
number of votes cast for them. UK currently uses due to more marginal seats available
make total result in seats more proportional which
FPTP which is a simple plurality system where the
enhances representative democracy. EG London Mayor 2016 election Sadiq Khan won first
canidate with the most votes will be elected and
round of votes with 44.2% and then secured enough seats
does not have to win by a certain majority is used *Scottish Parliament Election,SNP obtained 59/73 to secure a comfortable majority
in UK General election where voters cast one vote constituency seats available under FPTP they would
for their preferred canidate, and the candidate However SV can still result in a two party system where
have won 81%
with the largest number of votes in a constituency Labour and Conservatives are at the forefront of every
will be elected as an MP.PR eg STV-Northern However majority isn’t always met which results in election so smaller parties won’t necessarily benefit
Ireland Assembly, AMS Scottish Parliament and coalition which can sometimes cause fragmented
closed party list for European parliament and SV EG 2012 Mayoral elections where Green Party only
government
used for London Mayor Elections. PR may enhance obtained 4.5% of 1st preference voted in comparison to
representative democracy but can also lead to EG Liberal Democrat and Conservative 2010 Coalition conservatives who obtained 44.0%
fragmented and unstable government
*Include Judgement
*Include Judgement
P3:VOTERS CHOICE CONCLUSION
KEY WORDS
PR systems like STV and AMS allow voters more PR can enhance representative democracy
choices which allow more people to vote FPTP
through more choices available to voters,
accordingly to their political beliefs rather than more proportionality and less safe seats it can AMS
tactical voting showing PR should be introduced
provide consequences such as lack of STV
Eg General Election of 2017,where the electoral accountability under STV as there would be SV
reform society called for change to UK’s voting more than 1 MP in each constituency. Safe/Marginal Seats
system after counting 22 million wasted votes Therefore UK should continue the use of FPTPT Accountability
as often leads to a strong government with a Jenkins Report
However systems like STV are complex to
understand whereas FPTP is relatively simple to clear mandate to carry out its policies because Broadly Proportional
understand the winning party can win a clear majority Complex/Simple Systems
provides strong representation in the UK with
*Include Judgement small constituencies having a single MP to
represent their interests.
INTRODUCTION P1: BROADLEY PROPORTIONAL P2:Safe/Marginal Seats
Proportional representation an electoral system in AMS is likely to produce a broadly proportional Using PR live SV is unlikely to produce safe seats which
which parties gain seats in proportion to the outcome according to Jenkins report, as AMS is set to allows minor parties to gain a better chance at governing
number of votes cast for them. UK currently uses due to more marginal seats available
make total result in seats more proportional which
FPTP which is a simple plurality system where the
enhances representative democracy. EG London Mayor 2016 election Sadiq Khan won first
canidate with the most votes will be elected and
round of votes with 44.2% and then secured enough seats
does not have to win by a certain majority is used *Scottish Parliament Election,SNP obtained 59/73 to secure a comfortable majority
in UK General election where voters cast one vote constituency seats available under FPTP they would
for their preferred canidate, and the candidate However SV can still result in a two party system where
have won 81%
with the largest number of votes in a constituency Labour and Conservatives are at the forefront of every
will be elected as an MP.PR eg STV-Northern However majority isn’t always met which results in election so smaller parties won’t necessarily benefit
Ireland Assembly, AMS Scottish Parliament and coalition which can sometimes cause fragmented
closed party list for European parliament and SV EG 2012 Mayoral elections where Green Party only
government
used for London Mayor Elections. PR may enhance obtained 4.5% of 1st preference voted in comparison to
representative democracy but can also lead to EG Liberal Democrat and Conservative 2010 Coalition conservatives who obtained 44.0%
fragmented and unstable government
*Include Judgement
*Include Judgement
P3:VOTERS CHOICE CONCLUSION
KEY WORDS
PR systems like STV and AMS allow voters more PR can enhance representative democracy
choices which allow more people to vote FPTP
through more choices available to voters,
accordingly to their political beliefs rather than more proportionality and less safe seats it can AMS
tactical voting showing PR should be introduced
provide consequences such as lack of STV
Eg General Election of 2017,where the electoral accountability under STV as there would be SV
reform society called for change to UK’s voting more than 1 MP in each constituency. Safe/Marginal Seats
system after counting 22 million wasted votes Therefore UK should continue the use of FPTPT Accountability
as often leads to a strong government with a Jenkins Report
However systems like STV are complex to
understand whereas FPTP is relatively simple to clear mandate to carry out its policies because Broadly Proportional
understand the winning party can win a clear majority Complex/Simple Systems
provides strong representation in the UK with
*Include Judgement small constituencies having a single MP to
represent their interests.
