Electoral System analysis
Why different electoral systems are used in the UK?
- FPTP for Westminster elections:
- Has survived as it favours the two main parties that have largely monopolised government since the World
War
- The 1997 general election campaign saw the Labour Party offer a referendum on FPTP but had no incentive
to give after securing a majority government in the 1997 election
- Voters accept FPTP as it is easy and familiar to use, and voters are against change because a new system
could bring unnecessary problems
- AMS for Scottish and Welsh devolved elections + Greater London Assembly:
- Chosen by Labour, a compromise was reached after the Liberal Democrats and SNP preferred STV, it
pacified the minor parties while accepted by Labour as it maintains local representation (a feature of FPTP)
- Labour believed AMS would play a big part for them in Scotland and did so until the 2007 SNP victory
- STV for the Northern Ireland Assembly:
- Chosen as a highly proportional system to (in theory) ensure the broadest possible representation of
different parties
- With a constant feud between the Unionist and Nationalist communities, a system was needed to avoid
single-party domination to achieve peace
- The use of STV ensures that the governments are power-sharing bodies + it had strong roots in the
province, with STV being used in the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland parliament between the
years 1920-1970
- SV for elected mayors:
- Both SV and AV were up for discussion, however, SV was chosen because it was simpler to use + preferred
as candidates with the lowest support would be less likely to win because they were a ‘lowest common
denominator second or third chose – allowing the winner to have a clear mandate after the final round
The impact of the electoral system on the government or the type of government-appointed
Coalition governments and new voting patterns
Minority and coalition governments have become much more likely in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland,
whereas, in contrast, Westminster has continued to favour a single party in government
Why different electoral systems are used in the UK?
- FPTP for Westminster elections:
- Has survived as it favours the two main parties that have largely monopolised government since the World
War
- The 1997 general election campaign saw the Labour Party offer a referendum on FPTP but had no incentive
to give after securing a majority government in the 1997 election
- Voters accept FPTP as it is easy and familiar to use, and voters are against change because a new system
could bring unnecessary problems
- AMS for Scottish and Welsh devolved elections + Greater London Assembly:
- Chosen by Labour, a compromise was reached after the Liberal Democrats and SNP preferred STV, it
pacified the minor parties while accepted by Labour as it maintains local representation (a feature of FPTP)
- Labour believed AMS would play a big part for them in Scotland and did so until the 2007 SNP victory
- STV for the Northern Ireland Assembly:
- Chosen as a highly proportional system to (in theory) ensure the broadest possible representation of
different parties
- With a constant feud between the Unionist and Nationalist communities, a system was needed to avoid
single-party domination to achieve peace
- The use of STV ensures that the governments are power-sharing bodies + it had strong roots in the
province, with STV being used in the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland parliament between the
years 1920-1970
- SV for elected mayors:
- Both SV and AV were up for discussion, however, SV was chosen because it was simpler to use + preferred
as candidates with the lowest support would be less likely to win because they were a ‘lowest common
denominator second or third chose – allowing the winner to have a clear mandate after the final round
The impact of the electoral system on the government or the type of government-appointed
Coalition governments and new voting patterns
Minority and coalition governments have become much more likely in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland,
whereas, in contrast, Westminster has continued to favour a single party in government
