ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
1. ETVT the performance of other electoral systems in the UK has made the case for replacing
FPTP for Westminster elections
2. https://quizlet.com/gb/912429026/electoral-systems-evidence-fptp-flash-
cards/?i=29pvxi&x=1jqt
LoA: no, as FPTP is crucial to creating relatively stable and stronger governments, whilst being
simple and effective, despite its limits in representation.
Counter Pivot Main argument
Stable and Coalition govs can AMS - However, not FPTP promotes a two-party
strong gov promote greater always stable – 2024, system that gives voters a
cooperation between broke down, SNP will clear decision that usually = a
parties – helping counter be without leader for 4 clear majority for one party=a
one party domination weeks strong mandate to carry out
AMS - in Scotland Feb their manifesto
2011, SNP in minority gov, STV - However, - In the 1980s, allowed
had to make concessions between 2017-2020 Thatcher to bring
to lib dems and Tories to neither DUP or SF form about widespread
pass legislation. They coalition, causing gov economic reform e.g.
agreed on measures to shutdown Right to Buy and
increase youth privatisation of public
unemployment and services (rail,
training in response to electricity)
claims their budget did - Blair 1997
not boost economic constitutional reforms
recovery (devolution)
STV - NI, lead to power Consistently have a clear
sharing agreement, ending alternative and a
30 years troubles, fundamental choice
promoting compromise - 2019 Brexit election,
with each party taking
a diff side (Tory: get
Brexit done), forcing
voters to prioritise
Brexit and leading Uk
politics to properly
address issues rather
than avoiding it. Also,
gave BOJO 80 seat
majority to get brexit
done and end the
confusion
,Proportion STV - In the 2012 Scottish However, more Simplicity and familiarity
ality = Local Council election, confusing for the voter seen as key factors in the
legitimacy Labour won 31% of first = lack legitimacy public support for it, shown in
preference votes and 32% AV referendum 2011, 68%
But overall of seats STV - 2007, in voted to keep FPTP, w/ a
point that Scotland, 146,000 turnout of 42%
more AMS - 1999 Scottish ballots were
important Parliament election, the incorrectly completed Simple as voters only have to
that it is Tories won 0 constituency select one candidate/party
simple MPs, despite getting AMS – Wales has not Result known quickly for a
and 15.6% of the vote, but won worked as well, still swift transition of power
effective 18 additional member not proportional. - 1997, Blair arrived at
seats to correct this, 2021 Senedd election, downing street as new
leading to them receiving Green Party won 1.6% PM at 1pm, the day
14% of the seats overall of the vote and 4.4% of after the election
the top up vote, but no Vs w/ AMS 2007 in Scotland it
seats took 2 weeks to form
FPTP - 2019, Lib Dems get coalition gov
11.5% of the vote, and
only 11 seats. If system
was proportional, they
would’ve got 75 seats
Represent AMS - Parties can AMS - Creates two Relatively small size of
ation vs engineer descriptive classes of MPs – some constituencies, and the fact a
link representation with constituencies single MP is responsible,
e.g. in the Scottish and some without. results in effective
Parliament it is 45% Party has a lot more representation of local
women as of the 2021 control over the MPs interests
election, vs in UK who get into Parli – - Oct 2022, 33 Tory MPs
Parliament, it is only 35% party leadership ranks rebelled against
women the list members of Truss’ government
who they would like to and abstained in a
STV – voter choice is v high be their first choices of vote on a Labour bill
– 5 diff representatives for candidates in the top banning fracking,
each constituency, and up MPs - despite the
party can therefore put up Could limit the government ordering
to 5 diff candidates in chances of candidates them to oppose it.
each constituency – can more on the fringes of E.g. Tory MP Marck
choose from w/in a party – their parties from being Fletcher of Bolsover
more represented VS elected had a strong local
FPTP, e.g. if were tory but movement against
remain in 2019 could not STV – larger multi- fracking.
choose member - Uxbridge and South
constituencies – less Ruislip by-elections
clear and unstable as July 2023 tory won on
all want diff things grounds that people
didn’t want a Labour
, MP as they would
enforce ULEZ
DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION
1) Evaluate the view that the UK is suffering from a participation crisis
Counter Main argument
Turnout Turnout for GE is still hovering around Voter turnout in UK General Elections
68%, a lot less than the average has been on the increase since 2001,
between 1945 and 1997, which was which was the lowest it had been
76% since the end of WW1, with a turnout
of 58%, and 3 labour safe seats having
Feeling of disenfranchisement and lack turnout of below 40%
of representation present within certain
minority groups reflected in their influence of these groups is still
turnout influential, despite their low turnout,
South of England average turnout: 70% so maybe not a crisis?
North of England average turnout: 64% - 2017, NI voters crucial in
Northern Ireland average turnout, in allowing May to keep hold of
which there hasn’t been a functioning Parli w/ confidence and
government since Feb 2022, and even supple agreement w/ DUP –
up to then, it had been in a state of they received 1 bil pounds for
shutdown for 40% of the time, since its NI
opening in 1997: 62%, 5% below the - 2019, dealigned working class
national average voters in the red wall propelled
Johnson to receive 80 seat
majority
, 2014 Scottish independence
referendum and the 2016 EU
referendum had turnouts of 85% and
72% - a lot of engagement
surrounding important issues
Party Only 1.6% of the electorate now However, arguably party membership
membership belongs to a political party, compared is resurging, membership of Tory,
to 3.8% in 1983 Labour, Lib Dem increased form 0.8%
in 2013, a historic low, to currently
Tory party has 150,000 members by 1.6%
2016, significant drop from the
estimated 400,000 in the mid 1990s Also, parties have been able to quickly
- Parties play a crucial role in UK mobilise support over contentious
democracy – when party issues
membership shrinks, parties - 2018, Brexit debates in
ultimately become less Parliament, SNP membership
representative and could rely on surged 10,000% during their
big donors/unions for their walkout after they were
funding rather than membership prevented from tabling
fees amendments to the
withdrawal bill
- Under Corbyn, Labour
membership increased
201,000 to 515,000
- UKIP had 50,000 members in
run up to the election 2015
o Public still use parties
as a vehicle for
political action
Membership will inevitably fluctuate
over time – but parties still able to
generate support
Pressure Pressure group membership has - 70% of gen z involved in a
groups – as an dropped significantly: - Trade Unions: social/political cause
alternative 53% in 1980 to 23% in 2020 - Extinction rebellion
way to o Garnered widespread
participate support from young
people w/ 2019
climate school strikes
o This exerted influence
on the policy platforms
of major political
parties
1. ETVT the performance of other electoral systems in the UK has made the case for replacing
FPTP for Westminster elections
2. https://quizlet.com/gb/912429026/electoral-systems-evidence-fptp-flash-
cards/?i=29pvxi&x=1jqt
LoA: no, as FPTP is crucial to creating relatively stable and stronger governments, whilst being
simple and effective, despite its limits in representation.
Counter Pivot Main argument
Stable and Coalition govs can AMS - However, not FPTP promotes a two-party
strong gov promote greater always stable – 2024, system that gives voters a
cooperation between broke down, SNP will clear decision that usually = a
parties – helping counter be without leader for 4 clear majority for one party=a
one party domination weeks strong mandate to carry out
AMS - in Scotland Feb their manifesto
2011, SNP in minority gov, STV - However, - In the 1980s, allowed
had to make concessions between 2017-2020 Thatcher to bring
to lib dems and Tories to neither DUP or SF form about widespread
pass legislation. They coalition, causing gov economic reform e.g.
agreed on measures to shutdown Right to Buy and
increase youth privatisation of public
unemployment and services (rail,
training in response to electricity)
claims their budget did - Blair 1997
not boost economic constitutional reforms
recovery (devolution)
STV - NI, lead to power Consistently have a clear
sharing agreement, ending alternative and a
30 years troubles, fundamental choice
promoting compromise - 2019 Brexit election,
with each party taking
a diff side (Tory: get
Brexit done), forcing
voters to prioritise
Brexit and leading Uk
politics to properly
address issues rather
than avoiding it. Also,
gave BOJO 80 seat
majority to get brexit
done and end the
confusion
,Proportion STV - In the 2012 Scottish However, more Simplicity and familiarity
ality = Local Council election, confusing for the voter seen as key factors in the
legitimacy Labour won 31% of first = lack legitimacy public support for it, shown in
preference votes and 32% AV referendum 2011, 68%
But overall of seats STV - 2007, in voted to keep FPTP, w/ a
point that Scotland, 146,000 turnout of 42%
more AMS - 1999 Scottish ballots were
important Parliament election, the incorrectly completed Simple as voters only have to
that it is Tories won 0 constituency select one candidate/party
simple MPs, despite getting AMS – Wales has not Result known quickly for a
and 15.6% of the vote, but won worked as well, still swift transition of power
effective 18 additional member not proportional. - 1997, Blair arrived at
seats to correct this, 2021 Senedd election, downing street as new
leading to them receiving Green Party won 1.6% PM at 1pm, the day
14% of the seats overall of the vote and 4.4% of after the election
the top up vote, but no Vs w/ AMS 2007 in Scotland it
seats took 2 weeks to form
FPTP - 2019, Lib Dems get coalition gov
11.5% of the vote, and
only 11 seats. If system
was proportional, they
would’ve got 75 seats
Represent AMS - Parties can AMS - Creates two Relatively small size of
ation vs engineer descriptive classes of MPs – some constituencies, and the fact a
link representation with constituencies single MP is responsible,
e.g. in the Scottish and some without. results in effective
Parliament it is 45% Party has a lot more representation of local
women as of the 2021 control over the MPs interests
election, vs in UK who get into Parli – - Oct 2022, 33 Tory MPs
Parliament, it is only 35% party leadership ranks rebelled against
women the list members of Truss’ government
who they would like to and abstained in a
STV – voter choice is v high be their first choices of vote on a Labour bill
– 5 diff representatives for candidates in the top banning fracking,
each constituency, and up MPs - despite the
party can therefore put up Could limit the government ordering
to 5 diff candidates in chances of candidates them to oppose it.
each constituency – can more on the fringes of E.g. Tory MP Marck
choose from w/in a party – their parties from being Fletcher of Bolsover
more represented VS elected had a strong local
FPTP, e.g. if were tory but movement against
remain in 2019 could not STV – larger multi- fracking.
choose member - Uxbridge and South
constituencies – less Ruislip by-elections
clear and unstable as July 2023 tory won on
all want diff things grounds that people
didn’t want a Labour
, MP as they would
enforce ULEZ
DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION
1) Evaluate the view that the UK is suffering from a participation crisis
Counter Main argument
Turnout Turnout for GE is still hovering around Voter turnout in UK General Elections
68%, a lot less than the average has been on the increase since 2001,
between 1945 and 1997, which was which was the lowest it had been
76% since the end of WW1, with a turnout
of 58%, and 3 labour safe seats having
Feeling of disenfranchisement and lack turnout of below 40%
of representation present within certain
minority groups reflected in their influence of these groups is still
turnout influential, despite their low turnout,
South of England average turnout: 70% so maybe not a crisis?
North of England average turnout: 64% - 2017, NI voters crucial in
Northern Ireland average turnout, in allowing May to keep hold of
which there hasn’t been a functioning Parli w/ confidence and
government since Feb 2022, and even supple agreement w/ DUP –
up to then, it had been in a state of they received 1 bil pounds for
shutdown for 40% of the time, since its NI
opening in 1997: 62%, 5% below the - 2019, dealigned working class
national average voters in the red wall propelled
Johnson to receive 80 seat
majority
, 2014 Scottish independence
referendum and the 2016 EU
referendum had turnouts of 85% and
72% - a lot of engagement
surrounding important issues
Party Only 1.6% of the electorate now However, arguably party membership
membership belongs to a political party, compared is resurging, membership of Tory,
to 3.8% in 1983 Labour, Lib Dem increased form 0.8%
in 2013, a historic low, to currently
Tory party has 150,000 members by 1.6%
2016, significant drop from the
estimated 400,000 in the mid 1990s Also, parties have been able to quickly
- Parties play a crucial role in UK mobilise support over contentious
democracy – when party issues
membership shrinks, parties - 2018, Brexit debates in
ultimately become less Parliament, SNP membership
representative and could rely on surged 10,000% during their
big donors/unions for their walkout after they were
funding rather than membership prevented from tabling
fees amendments to the
withdrawal bill
- Under Corbyn, Labour
membership increased
201,000 to 515,000
- UKIP had 50,000 members in
run up to the election 2015
o Public still use parties
as a vehicle for
political action
Membership will inevitably fluctuate
over time – but parties still able to
generate support
Pressure Pressure group membership has - 70% of gen z involved in a
groups – as an dropped significantly: - Trade Unions: social/political cause
alternative 53% in 1980 to 23% in 2020 - Extinction rebellion
way to o Garnered widespread
participate support from young
people w/ 2019
climate school strikes
o This exerted influence
on the policy platforms
of major political
parties
