Electoral systems

• Where is FPTP used?

  The general elections of the UK as well as councils in England and Wales
• How does FPTP work?

  A simple plurality system , the largest number of votes wins regardless of if a majority is won .
• Advantages of FPTP?


  1. ease of use - simplicity is a factor of support as 68% vote against AV . Simplicity also allows speed
  2. Strong , single party govt - Promotes the two party system usually giving a clear majority allowing for effective change they may have ran on e.g Thatchers economic reforms had mandate of strong govt
  3. Exclusion of fringe parties - UKIP win 12% vote 2015 but only 1 constituency
  4. MP - constituency link - Effective representation and a strong link is created through FPTP e.g 2022 conservative rebellion of 33 MP's regarding a fracking vote due to constituency concerns
• Disadvantages of FPTP?

  1. Lack of constituency representation - over half of MP's typically dont gain a majority e.g 2015 SDLP wins in Belfast south with 24% vote , weakening MP mandate and illegitimising them
  2. Lack of proportionality at national level - Votes arent translated into seats with any real accuracy by exaggerating support of the largest party e.g 2005 Labour win 55% of seats with 35% vote . FPTP also favours parties whose vote is concentrates e.g Lib Dems 11% vote but only 11 seats
  3. Limited voter choice - Main parties are broad in ideology , only once candidate limits voter choice
• What does AMS stand for?

  Additional member system
• Where is AMS used?


  Scottish parliament , Welsh assembly and Greater London assembly
• How does AMS work?

  Voters have two votes , one for constituency representatives elected using FPTP and another from a party list using multi member regions using proportional representation
• AMS advantages?

  1. The top up party list introduces proportionality to correct the FPTP e.g 1999 Scottish parliament election conservatives won 0 constituencies with 15% of the vote so received 18 members through top up , correcting the disproportionality
  2. Greater choice - Wider choice the FPTP they can vote for ' split ticket ' as one party for representative and another for top up is possible
  3. Votes are less wasted
• AMS disadvantages?

  1. Creates two different members , some with constituency responsibilities and others without
  2. FPTP elements may not be corrected e.g Senedd 2021 Green party receives 2% constituency and 4% top up and no seats
  3. weak governments - AMS usually leads to weak governments with minorities e.g 3 coalition govts for Scotland out of 6 since devolution
• What is STV?

  Single Transferable Vote , candidates are elected if they achieve a quota using multi member constituencies
• Advantages of STV?

  1. Highly proportional , close correlation of votes and seats
  2. Greater voter choice by ranking of candidates
  3. Has created power sharing governments in Northern Ireland capable of ensure the end of the troubles
• Disadvantages of STV?

  1. Multi - member constituencies may corrode the voter - member link
  2. Power sharing still prone to conflict , NI suspension several times . Moderate parties replaced after 2007
  3. Slow count and difficult to understand
• Why is STV used in Northern Ireland?

  Due its highly proportional system , broad representation is ensured and an avoidance of single party dominance that may cause conflict
• Where is SV used?

  London Mayor election
• How does SV work?

  Each voter is allowed a first and second preference vote
• Advantages of SV?

  1. Ensures broad support for the winner
  2. Simple and straightforward
  3. Greater choice the FPTP
  4. Greater chance of independents to win ( Police commissioners )
• Disadvantages of SV?

  1. The winner doesnt need to get an absolute majority
  2. Votes are still wasted , though to a lesser extent the FPTP
• Voting system with the highest voter choice?

  STV , Proportional representation has the least voter choice
• Most proportional system?

  STV
• System with the strongest link between constituents and MP's?

  FPTP , with STV as the weakest due to the multi constituent representatives
• STV is designed to result in a power sharing coalition , as is the situation in Ireland
• As of 2010 FPTP can be seen to produce weak governments upon occasion , as in 2010 resulting in coalition