different electoral systems

• What is the electoral system used in UK general elections?

  First Past the Post (FPTP)
• What is the main function of electoral systems in the UK?

  To choose the government and representatives
• How does First Past the Post (FPTP) determine the winner?

  The candidate with the most votes wins
• How many constituencies are there in the UK?

  650 constituencies
• What happens if a party wins the most seats in FPTP?

  They can form a government
• What is one advantage of FPTP regarding government strength?

  It often leads to a strong government
• Who carried out constitutional reforms in 1997?

  Tony Blair
• What is a benefit of having small constituencies in FPTP?

  Strong representation with a single MP
• What is the average constituency size in England?

  72,000
• Why is FPTP considered simple for voters?

  Voters choose one candidate with one vote
• What is a major disadvantage of FPTP?

  It is not a proportional system
• How did the SNP perform in the 2015 general election?

  1.4 million votes for 56 seats
• What is a safe seat in FPTP?

  A seat where one party has a secure majority
• What percentage of votes were wasted in North East Fife in 2017?

  67% of votes wasted
• What does it mean for a government to have a minority of the popular vote?

  They were elected with less than 50% support
• What is the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system used for?

  Northern Ireland Assembly elections
• How does STV allow voters to express their preferences?

  Voters number candidates in order of preference
• How is the quota for STV candidates calculated?

  Votes divided by seats plus one
• What happens if no candidate reaches the quota in STV?

  The lowest candidate is eliminated
• What is one advantage of STV regarding voter choice?

  Voters can choose multiple candidates
• How does STV affect wasted votes?

  Fewer wasted votes due to preference transfers
• What is a disadvantage of STV regarding representation?

  Weak link between members and voters
• Why is STV considered more complicated than FPTP?

  It takes longer to reach final results
• What is donkey voting in STV?

  Ranking candidates in the order they appear
• How do FPTP and STV differ in government strength?

  FPTP produces stronger mandates than STV
• What is a coalition government?

  A government made up of multiple parties
• How does FPTP limit voter choice?

  One candidate per party in each constituency
• How does STV ensure fairer outcomes?

  Votes translate into seats more proportionally
• What is the representative link in FPTP?

  Strong link between politicians and voters
• What is the Additional Member System (AMS) used for?

  Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament elections
• How many votes do voters have in AMS?

  Two votes: one for constituency, one for party
• How are additional members allocated in AMS?

  Proportionally based on party support
• How many members are elected by FPTP in the Scottish Parliament?

  73 members
• What is one advantage of AMS regarding voter choice?

  Voters can support different parties
• What is a disadvantage of AMS for smaller parties?

  They are less well represented
• Why do party list candidates have less legitimacy in AMS?

  They aren't directly elected by voters
• What is a disadvantage of AMS regarding transparency?

  Lacks democratic transparency in candidate selection
• What was the Supplementary Vote (SV) used for?

  London Mayoral elections
• How does the SV system work?

  Voters have a first and second preference vote
• What happens if no candidate wins over 50% in SV?

  Top two candidates are retained for second votes