Analysing Electoral Systems (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Uses of different electoral systems in the UK

• It is important to understand why the UK uses a wide-range of electoral systems for different types of elections

Electoral systems: impact on government

First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

• Tends to create strong single-party governments

  • The party that wins the most constituencies usually gains a majority, even without a majority of the vote

  • This allows governments to pass legislation quickly and govern decisively

• Encourages a two-party system

  • Smaller parties struggle to win seats unless their support is geographically concentrated

• Impact on how government functions

  • Provides stability and clear lines of accountability

  • Can weaken representation because governments can win large majorities with less than 50% of the national vote

• Example

  • In the 2019 UK general election, the Conservatives won an 80-seat majority with 43.6% of the vote, allowing quick progress on Brexit legislation

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

• Typically results in multi-party coalitions

  • Seats are allocated proportionally in multi-member constituencies

  • This allows a wider range of parties and independents to win representation

• Impact on how government functions

  • Leads to coalition governments, enhancing representation and legitimacy

  • Decision-making can be slower because agreement between several parties is needed

• Example

  • The Northern Ireland Assembly uses STV as part of its power-sharing arrangements

    • Governments usually include multiple parties

    • This improves representation across communities but has sometimes led to executive deadlock

Additional Member System (AMS)

• Produces minority or coalition governments

  • AMS combines constituency seats with proportional “top-up” seats

  • This reduces the chances of a single party dominating

• Gives smaller parties a meaningful role

  • Proportional allocation helps smaller parties gain representation

• Impact on how government functions

  • Often requires negotiation and compromise between parties

  • Can lead to more consensual policymaking but sometimes slower decision-making

• Example

  • The Scottish Parliament has frequently had coalition or minority governments, such as:

    • Labour–Liberal Democrat coalition (1999–2007)

    • SNP minority governments (2007–2011 and since 2021)

  • These arrangements encouraged policy compromise between parties

Supplementary Vote (SV)

• Ensures a majority winner for single-office roles

  • Voters choose a first and second preference

  • The winner must secure over 50% of the vote after second preferences are added

• Impact on executive leadership

  • Encourages candidates to appeal beyond their core supporters

  • Produces office-holders with a stronger personal mandate

• Example

  • In former London mayoral elections, candidates often relied on broad appeal to attract second-preference votes

    • This influenced campaigning strategies and increased the perceived legitimacy of the winning mayor

Electoral systems: impact on party representation

First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

Additional Member System (AMS)

Supplementary Vote (SV)