Arguments for and against FPTP

Arguments for and against FPTP

1. The system is part of our traditions

2. The system is cheap, easy to operate and easily understood. This helps voters and contributes to a greater confidence in the result.

3. The single-member constituency allows for a close MP-Constituency link

4. The system normally produces strong, majority government, making coalitions less likely.

5. The system distorts the popular vote to an unacceptable degree

6. Provides little voter choice and therefore leads to large numbers of wasted votes

7. It disadvantages small parties and those with support spread evenly across constituencies i.e. parties who frequently come second e.g. Lib Dems

8. It routinely results in an artifically polarised adversarial politics (so-called 'yah-boo' politics). Some people maintain that coalitions are more constructive and productive.

9. Key

   • For
   • Against