The case for PR to replace FPTP is established


• FPTP lacks proportionality

  • 2019 election conservatives got 56% of seats but only 44% of votes
  • 50 mps elected without 40% of the vote
  • NI STV 2022 election Sinn Fein - 27% of votes 30% seats DUP - 25% votes 27% seats
• PR cannot create strong and stable governments

  • STV NI always in coalition, regularly suspended and dissolved
  • Stormont dissolved from 2002-2007
  • FPTP has produced strong stable governments 18/20 times
  • HOWEVER coalition is due to polarisation of parties in NI not due to voting system
• negatively affects parties - two party system

  • labour or conservative has won every election sinc3 1922
  • unequal votes - labour = 50000 votes for one seat conservative = 36000 for one seat lib dems = 300000 votes for one seat green party = 800000 votes for one seat
  • 2015 UKIP only got 1 seat but 12.5% of the vote
  • Lib Dem got 11% vote and 1.7% of seats
• PR system could be seen as too confusing

  • 2011 STV had 12000 accidentally wasted votes
  • could lower already low turnout - 67% in 2019
• PR gives power to the people and more choice

  • AMS - local mps and party list mps meaning constituent link is retained but views are represented proportionally
  • 2021 SNP had 62/73 (now 53) seats with 48% of the vote
• FPTP delivers better accountability

  • SNP usually in supply and demand with the green party
  • closer mp constituency link allows mps to be held accountable