Electoral systems

• STV, used in


  northern Ireland, Scottish local elections
• STV, how it works?


  candidates are ordered, 1st preference is counted and anyone who reaches the quota then has the 2nd and 3rd preference counted
• STV, advantages


  broadly proportional outcome, reduce wasted vote
• STV, disadvantage


  complicated to understand, no clear accountability
• STV, used for


  power sharing e.g- used to end the troubles
• AMS, used in Scottish parliamen
• AMS, how it works?


  2 votes per person, 1st vote is for regional the 2nd for the constituency
• AMS, advantages


  broadly proportional ,gives voters more choice
• AMS, disadvantage 


  complex for the electorate, can result in deselection
• AMS, used for


  maintaining constituency link with proportionality, in devolution
• SV, used in


  phased out under Tory government
• SV, how it works?


  single candidate has to be elected, 1st and 2nd choice are counted ,candidates get over 50%of votes
• SV, advantage 


  winning candidate wins overall majority, simple to understand
• AV, disadvantage


  candidates win without first choice majority, highlights lack of legitimacy
• AV,used for


  a majority
• First Past the Post


  • One person, one vote
  • Vote for an MP not the party
  • Most votes win
  • Doesn't have to be over 50%
  • MP represents everybody
• Strong link between MP and constituents


  MP is accountable for people in constituency
• Strong and stable government


  Parties gain majority, pass legislation, manifestos can be implemented
• Strong and stable government

  • 2019 - 80 seats majority for conservatives
• Simple to understand and quick


  Less wasted votes than other systems
• Simple to understand and quick


  • Sunderland counted votes quickest in 2019
• Exclusion of extremist parties


  UKIP 2015 - 3.8million votes gets 1 seat, 12.6% overall votes went to UKIP
• People don't want to remove FPTP
• 2011 - referendum to change FPTP, UK not interested
• Against FPTP


  • Lack of proportionality - percentage of votes - majority of people may not want the legislations that get passed
  • Votes of unequal value - safe seats are worthless - marginal seats are more important
  • Limited voter choice - environment or tactical voting
  • Hard for smaller parties to have success
• Lack of proportionality


  • Conservatives 2019 - 56% seats, 43.6% of votes - SNP 3.6% seats - UKIP 12.6% seats
• Votes of unequal value

  IRS - 74.4% of votes in 2015 were wasted votes
• Other systems offer more choice - AV, STV, AMS, SV
• MPs lack legitimacy - wins without majority
• FPTP


  • Tends to produce government with strong majority
  • Coalitions are not the norm
  • Limits amount of effective parties
  • Leads to two party dominance
  • Simpler than other systems
• FPTP won vote in 2011 in AV referendum
• Electoral systems


  Determine the type of government
• AMS and STV


  • More associated with coalitions
  • Minority governments
  • Power sharing
• AMS, SV, STV


  • Offer more choices than FPTP
• AMS, SV, STV


  Encourages the electorate to think more broadly about politics and consider minor parties
• In 2016 mayoral election, 38200 didn't use their 2nd vote, 220000 chose the same candidate
• Countries with proportional representation


  Have higher turnout
• Complexities are an issue with multi ticket voting and 146 000 ballot paper were filled in incorrectly in Scotland in 2007
• Party systems


  Electoral systems are said to dictate how many effective parties there are
• Referendum


  A vote which may be national, regional or local where qualified voters are asked a single question with a 'yes' or 'no' answer, not legally binding