Electoral Systems (Edexcel A Level Politics): Flashcards
Exam code: 9PL0
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Define First Past the Post (FPTP).
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Define First Past the Post (FPTP).
First Past the Post (FPTP) is a plurality electoral system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons, in which the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
Define plurality system.
A plurality system is one in which the winning candidate needs only one more vote than their nearest rival, not over 50% of the vote.
The UK is divided into constituencies, each represented by one MP.
The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, each represented by one MP.
How many seats does a party need to form a majority government under FPTP?
A party needs 326 or more seats to be invited to form a majority government.
True or False?
Under FPTP a candidate must win over 50% of the vote to take a seat.
False.
A candidate only needs a plurality, one more vote than their nearest rival, not over 50%.
Why is FPTP said to produce decisive outcomes?
FPTP often gives one party enough seats to form a majority government, producing decisive outcomes.
What is the 'wasted votes' criticism of FPTP?
FPTP leads to a high number of wasted votes, as votes for losing candidates or excess votes for winners do not influence the result.
In 2024, Labour won a majority of 411 seats with just of the vote, the lowest vote share ever to produce a majority.
In 2024, Labour won a majority of 411 seats with just 34% of the vote, the lowest vote share ever to produce a majority.
In the 2024 general election, Reform UK won 14% of the vote but only seats.
In the 2024 general election, Reform UK won 14% of the vote but only 5 seats.
True or False?
The 2024 general election is regarded as one of the most disproportionate results in modern British history.
True.
The 2024 result is widely regarded by analysts as one of the most disproportionate in modern British history.
How does the Liberal Democrats' 2024 result show that FPTP rewards geographically concentrated support?
FPTP rewards concentrated support, so the Liberal Democrats won 72 seats on just 12% of the vote, while Reform UK's thinly spread 14% yielded only 5 seats.
What did the 2011 AV referendum suggest about support for electoral reform?
The 2011 AV referendum saw 67.9% vote No, suggesting limited public support for electoral reform.
What was voter turnout in Scotland's 2021 election under AMS?
Turnout in Scotland under AMS was 63.5% in 2021, higher than the 2024 UK general election, which is used to argue FPTP should be replaced.
Define Additional Member System (AMS).
The Additional Member System (AMS) is a mixed electoral system that combines First Past the Post with proportional representation.
How many votes does each voter cast under AMS?
Under AMS each voter casts two votes, one for a constituency candidate and one for a regional party list.
Under AMS, regional list seats are allocated using the formula, which compensates parties harmed by FPTP.
Under AMS, regional list seats are allocated using the d'Hondt formula, which compensates parties harmed by FPTP.
The 2021 Holyrood election demonstrates AMS's nature, as the SNP won 64 of 129 MSPs but fell one short of a majority.
The 2021 Holyrood election demonstrates AMS's proportional nature, as the SNP won 64 of 129 MSPs but fell one short of a majority.
How did AMS enable a smaller party to enter the Scottish government in 2021?
AMS gave the Greens 8 regional list seats, allowing them to enter government through the Bute House Agreement and form a pro-independence majority of 72.
Define Single Transferable Vote (STV).
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a highly proportional system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference in multi-member constituencies.
Which quota is used to elect candidates under STV?
STV uses the Droop quota to determine how many votes a candidate needs to be elected.
True or False?
Under STV, voters select only one candidate.
False.
Under STV voters rank candidates 1, 2, 3 and so on in order of preference.
How did the highly proportional STV system reshape representation in the 2022 Stormont election?
STV's proportionality allowed Sinn Féin to win 27 seats and become the largest party in Stormont for the first time, with Alliance also growing to 17 seats.
True or False?
The proportional 2022 Northern Ireland result guaranteed a stable power-sharing government.
False.
No government formed because the DUP refused to participate in power-sharing, showing proportional systems cannot guarantee stability.
Define Supplementary Vote (SV).
The Supplementary Vote (SV) is a majoritarian system in which voters mark a first and second preference for single-office elections.
What share of the vote must a candidate secure to win under SV?
A candidate must secure over 50% of the vote after redistributions to win under SV.
The Supplementary Vote was abolished for the London Mayor by the Act 2022.
The Supplementary Vote was abolished for the London Mayor by the Elections Act 2022.
Under SV, how many candidates remain if no one wins outright in the first round?
Only the top two candidates remain if no candidate wins outright in the first round.
Define referendum.
A referendum is a form of direct democracy in which voters decide on a single specific issue by choosing yes or no.
True or False?
Referendum results in the UK are legally binding on Parliament.
False.
Referendum results are not legally binding, so Parliament can choose whether or not to implement the outcome.
Who can call a referendum in the UK?
Only the UK government or Parliament can call a referendum.
Which body may review and approve referendum question wording?
The Electoral Commission may review and approve the wording to ensure it is understandable and unbiased.
Although referendum results are not legally binding, governments almost always follow them because of the created by a public vote.
Although referendum results are not legally binding, governments almost always follow them because of the strong political pressure created by a public vote.
What did the 2016 EU referendum result in?
The 2016 EU referendum saw 52% vote Leave, triggering Brexit.
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum shows how referendums are used to settle major questions, with 55% voting No to keep Scotland in the UK.
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum shows how referendums are used to settle major constitutional questions, with 55% voting No to keep Scotland in the UK.
What was the outcome of the 2011 UK referendum on the voting system?
The 2011 referendum saw 68% vote No, maintaining FPTP for general elections.
True or False?
The 2004 North East England referendum led to the creation of an elected regional assembly.
False.
78% voted No, which ended plans for regional assemblies in England.
Which 1998 referendum established power-sharing institutions at Stormont?
The 1998 Northern Ireland referendum on the Good Friday Agreement established power-sharing institutions at Stormont.
How can referendums oversimplify political issues?
Referendums can reduce complex issues to a simple yes/no question, which may not capture the full implications.
Define politically binding (referendum result).
A referendum result is politically binding when governments follow it in practice due to political pressure, even though it is not legally enforceable.
Define First Past the Post (FPTP).
First Past the Post (FPTP) is the plurality system used for UK general elections, in which the party that wins the most constituencies usually gains a majority.
Which electoral system is used in Northern Ireland?
Single Transferable Vote (STV) is used in Northern Ireland and is highly proportional.
Where is the Additional Member System used?
The Additional Member System (AMS) is used in Scotland and Wales.
First Past the Post uses single-member , each with roughly equal voting populations.
First Past the Post uses single-member constituencies, each with roughly equal voting populations.
True or False?
Supplementary Vote is still used to elect the London Mayor.
False.
The 2022 Elections Act changed the electoral system for the London Mayor to First Past the Post.
What impact does FPTP typically have on the formation of government?
FPTP tends to create strong single-party governments that can pass legislation quickly.
In the 2019 UK general election, the Conservatives won an 80-seat majority with of the vote.
In the 2019 UK general election, the Conservatives won an 80-seat majority with 43.6% of the vote.
What type of government does STV typically produce?
STV typically results in multi-party coalitions because seats are allocated proportionally in multi-member constituencies.
Define tactical voting.
Tactical voting is when voters choose a 'less-worse' viable candidate rather than their genuine preference.
True or False?
Under FPTP, a party can win a large majority of seats with less than 50% of the national vote.
True.
FPTP can weaken representation because governments can win large majorities with under 50% of the national vote.
Which type of party benefits most from FPTP?
FPTP benefits parties with geographically concentrated support, such as the SNP in Scotland.
How does STV affect the number of wasted votes?
STV reduces wasted votes because voter preferences transfer, meaning more votes help elect someone.
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