Electoral system

• Electora system


  System used to elect representatives
• AMS


  Additional Member System - hybrid between FPTP and proportional representation
• FPTP


  First Past the Post - system used in UK general elections
• STV


  Single Transferrable Vote - proportional system used in Northern Ireland and Scottish local government
• How FPTP works


  1. Country divided into constituencies

  2. Each constituency returns one Member of Parliament

  3. Each party presents one candidate

  4. Winner is candidate with most votes (pluralistic system)

  5. Winner doesn't need overall majority
• How AMS works


  1. Two-thirds of seats elected by FPTP

  2. One-third elected by closed regional list voting

  3. Voters have two votes - one for constituency, one for party list

  4. Seats awarded to parties on list in proportion to votes cast

  5. Variable top-up system adjusts proportions to make result more proportional
• How STV works


  1. Six candidates per constituency

  2. Voters rank candidates by preference

  3. Electoral quota calculated based on total votes and seats

  4. Candidates achieving quota elected automatically

  5. Subsequent preferences added until all seats filled
• Supplementary Vote


  System used to elect single candidates, e.g. mayors - voters get two votes, if no candidate gets over 50% there is a runoff between top two
• Arguments for retaining FPTP

  • Easy to understand and produces clear results
  • Creates close constituency-MP bond and clear accountability
  • Historically produced strong governments
  • Helps prevent smaller/extremist parties breaking through
  • System has stood test of time
• Arguments against retaining FPTP


  • Results not proportionate or fair
  • Many votes 'wasted' with no impact
  • Encourages tactical voting
  • Prevents new parties breaking in
  • Winning party often lacks majority of votes
• Advantages of Supplementary Vote


  • Winning candidate can claim overall majority
  • Relatively simple to understand
  • Voters' first and second choices relevant
• Disadvantages of Supplementary Vote


  • Winning candidate may not have overall majority support
  • Winning candidate may win on second choice
• Advantages of STV


  • Broadly proportional
  • Gives voters wide choice and accounts for second preferences
  • Voters can support candidates from different parties
  • Six representatives per constituency
• Drawbacks of STV


  • Quite complex and some voters may not understand
  • Vote counting is complex and could take a long time
  • Can help elect candidates with extreme views
  • Accountability of six representatives not clear
  • More likely to produce coalitions
• Advantages of AMS


  • Broadly proportional and fair to all parties
  • Gives voters two votes so more choice
  • Combines constituency representation and proportional outcomes
• Drawbacks of AMS


  • Produces two classes of representatives - constituency and list
  • More complex than FPTP so could confuse voters
  • Can result in election of extremist candidates
  • More likely to form coalition governments
• Examples of referendums in the UK


  • 1997 Scottish devolution (yes 74.3%, 60.4% turnout)
  • 1997 Welsh devolution (yes 50.3%, 50.1% turnout)
  • 1998 Belfast Agreement (yes 71.1%, 81% turnout)
  • 2011 AV system (no 67.9%, 42.2% turnout)
  • 2014 Scottish independence (no 55.3%, 84.6% turnout)
  • 2016 EU membership (no 51.9%, 72.2% turnout)
• Reasons for holding referendums


  • Issue decisive within government/nation and referendum could settle it
  • Issue of huge constitutional significance requiring direct consent
  • Help entrench and safeguard constitutional changes
  • Judge public opinion on an issue, especially involving taxation
• Impact of referendums in the UK


  • Successful - Scottish independence, local congestion charges, Scottish/NI devolution
  • Unsuccessful - Welsh devolution, 2011 AV, 2016 EU referendum
• Arguments for referendums


  • Purest form of democracy, uncorrupted by representative system
  • Can help unite a divided society
  • Can solve conflicts within government
  • People better informed to make crucial decisions
• Arguments against referendums


  • Issues too complex for some voters to understand
  • Can cause social rifts rather than heal them
  • Excessive use undermines authority of representative democracy
  • Can create tyranny of the majority
  • Voters may be swayed by emotion/false information
  • Some questions not suited to simple yes/no answer