Voting systems

• The UK uses First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) in general and local elections, whereas Proportional Representation (PR) is used in some other elections (e.g., European Parliament).
• First Past the Post (FPTP)

  1. 650 constituencies each elect one MP.
  2. Voters choose one candidate on the ballot.
  3. The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.
• Strengths of FPTP

  ✔ Simple and cheap to run.

  ✔ Quick results after voting closes.

  ✔ Creates stable, single-party governments.
• Weaknesses of FPTP

  ✘ Only the winning votes count; other votes are wasted.

  ✘ Encourages tactical voting if a preferred candidate is unlikely to win.

  ✘ Many seats become "safe seats," discouraging voter participation.
• Proportional Representation (PR)

  1. Seats awarded based on the percentage of votes a party wins.
  2. Parties submit lists of candidates.
  3. Seats are allocated based on party popularity.
• Strengths of PR

  ✔ Fewer wasted votes.

  ✔ More voter choice.

  ✔ Fairer for smaller parties.
• Weaknesses of PR

  ✘ Leads to coalition governments.

  ✘ MPs may not be linked to a constituency.

  ✘ Can allow extremist parties into Parliament.
• Explain two criticisms of FPTP.

  • candidates can be elected on little public support, as a candidate needs to get the most votes, not a majority of votes. Therefore the majority of a constituency might have voted for other candidates.
  • votes can be wasted if a voter lives in a safe seat but prefers a different candidate or party then it is likely their vote will not have an effect on the election or give them any representation.