ELECTORAL SYSTEMS - POLTICS EXPLAINED NOTES
DIFFERENT ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
FPTP
WHERE
- UK GE and local council elections in England and Wales
- 650 constituency and roughly 7500 voters in each constituency
- Simple plurality system = candidate with the largest number of votes in a constituency is
elected as MP/ most number of MPs to form a government
- One vote resulting in one MP per constituency
ADVANTAGES
- Extremely easy as only one candidate selected and results in quick results
- In 1997, Blair arrived at Downing Street 1pm day after election = speed
- Simplicity and familiarity means favourable to electorate = 2011 Alternative voting
referendum ith 68% against and 42% turnout shows electorate preference for FPTP
- More proportional system where coalitions are more likely formed
- Two party systems means clear choice and clear majority thus strong mandate to carry out
manifesto = Blar’s mandate to carry out key constitutional reform
- Excluded extremist parties who are much more likely to be successful as it requires
geographically concentrated support = 2010, extremist right wing British National Party won
2% national vote but didn't; fishin higher than 3rd in any constituency (no were near to any
MPs or government formation)
- Relatively small size constituencies and single MP responsibility means effective
representation of local interest and strong link with constituency and MP = 2022, 33
Conservative MPs rebelled against Truss govt on ban on fracking including Mark Fletcher
due to clear public opposition in his constituency
DISADVANTAGES
- Lack of representation in constituency over half of MPs typically don’t command a majority
in their constituency (fault of winning takes it all simply plurality system) weakening
mandate of MP and lacking legitimacy
- Votes not translated into seat with accurately = 2005, Labour party won 545 seats with just
35% of the vote
- Disadvantages minor parties = 2019, Libdem won 11% of vote but only 11 seats if this fully
proportional they would have got 75 seats
- Limited choice between difference strands of the parties and voters only get once vote
- Votes are effectively wanted as 2nd or 3rd majority are not recognised resulting in tactical
voting which is inaccurate = YouGov found 32% of voters voted tactically in 2019 GE
- Marginal seats have higher turnouts meaning vote are weighted unequally
- Minority weak governments such as = 2017 May’s govt
DIFFERENT ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
FPTP
WHERE
- UK GE and local council elections in England and Wales
- 650 constituency and roughly 7500 voters in each constituency
- Simple plurality system = candidate with the largest number of votes in a constituency is
elected as MP/ most number of MPs to form a government
- One vote resulting in one MP per constituency
ADVANTAGES
- Extremely easy as only one candidate selected and results in quick results
- In 1997, Blair arrived at Downing Street 1pm day after election = speed
- Simplicity and familiarity means favourable to electorate = 2011 Alternative voting
referendum ith 68% against and 42% turnout shows electorate preference for FPTP
- More proportional system where coalitions are more likely formed
- Two party systems means clear choice and clear majority thus strong mandate to carry out
manifesto = Blar’s mandate to carry out key constitutional reform
- Excluded extremist parties who are much more likely to be successful as it requires
geographically concentrated support = 2010, extremist right wing British National Party won
2% national vote but didn't; fishin higher than 3rd in any constituency (no were near to any
MPs or government formation)
- Relatively small size constituencies and single MP responsibility means effective
representation of local interest and strong link with constituency and MP = 2022, 33
Conservative MPs rebelled against Truss govt on ban on fracking including Mark Fletcher
due to clear public opposition in his constituency
DISADVANTAGES
- Lack of representation in constituency over half of MPs typically don’t command a majority
in their constituency (fault of winning takes it all simply plurality system) weakening
mandate of MP and lacking legitimacy
- Votes not translated into seat with accurately = 2005, Labour party won 545 seats with just
35% of the vote
- Disadvantages minor parties = 2019, Libdem won 11% of vote but only 11 seats if this fully
proportional they would have got 75 seats
- Limited choice between difference strands of the parties and voters only get once vote
- Votes are effectively wanted as 2nd or 3rd majority are not recognised resulting in tactical
voting which is inaccurate = YouGov found 32% of voters voted tactically in 2019 GE
- Marginal seats have higher turnouts meaning vote are weighted unequally
- Minority weak governments such as = 2017 May’s govt
