Flashcards
Reforming First Past the Post
Cards in this deck (26)
- 1Electoral fairnessFOR
fairness dictates that party's strength in Parliament should reflect its level of support in the country. In PR all people's votes have the same values, regardless of the party they support. This would make the government more legitimate - 2All votes countFOR
No votes/ fewer votes are 'wasted', in the sense that they are cast for candidates or parties who lose or a surplus. Knowing this could strengthen electoral turnout and promote civic engagement. In 2010 only 65.1% bothered to vote - 3Majority governmentFOR
those elected under PR will enjoy the support of at least 50% of those who voted. These will genuinely be popular. In 2005 the government was elected on as little as 35% - 4Accountable governmentsFOR
under PR governments have to listen to parliament as they will generally need the support of two or more parties - 5Consensus political cultureFOR
PR distributes political power more widely. As a wider range of parties are involved in the formulation of policy- partnership politics. It would force both Labour and Conservative to appeal more to the voters. Democracy would be more vibrant - 6Lack of legitimacy of MPsFOR
less than 1/3 of MPs get 50% of the vote in their constituency - 7Lack of legitimacy of governmentFOR
no single party government in the UK since 1931 has won over 50% of the vote. Governments are formed with a minority of votes cast. As little as 35% in 2005. - 8Unfair to small partiesFOR
small parties are unfairly punished by the system and get nowhere near their share of the seats. The Lib Dems got 7.7% of the seats for 23% of the vote in 2010 - 9Bias to large partiesFOR
as small parties suffer the bigger parties dominate. Two party race for government - 10May 2010FOR
shows how FPTP can't cope if there are more than two contenders. The system cannot accommodate for the multi party system and deliver a fair outcome - 11Safe seatFOR
few seats change hands in an election. General elections are decided by the marginal seats. This means not all votes are of equal value - 12Poor social representationFOR
the current system produces a narrow range of politicians. When PR is introduced this improves - 13Coalition governmentsFOR
coalition governments have managed to legislate successfully. Our experience of strong single party governments is that they can become 'elective dictatorships' and make arrogant mistakes (Iraq war?) Coalitions can mean they are balanced - 14Clear electoral choiceAGAINST
FPTP aids democracy because it clarifies the choices available to voters. It offers voters a clear and simple choice between parties. This makes elections and politics more meaningful to ordinary citizens - 15Constituency representationAGAINST
it establishes a strong and reliable link between a representative and their constituency. When a single MP serves a single constituency people know who represent them and who to take their grievances to - 16Mandate democracyAGAINST
voters get what they vote for: winning parties have the ability to carry out their manifesto promises. Under PR policies are decided through post-election deals that are not endorsed by the electorate. Tony Benn- we do not vote for coalitions - 17Strong governmentAGAINST
it helps to ensure that governments can govern. This happens because they enjoy a majority. Coalitions by contrast are weak and ineffective - 18Stable governmentAGAINST
Single party governments are stable and cohesive. This is because the government is united by common ideological loyalties. Coalitions are often weak and unstable - 19Simple to useAGAINST
all that is required is one 'simple' 'X' in a box. Few ballot papers are accidentally spoiled - 20QuickAGAINST
election results are obtained after just a few hours and new governments within 24 hours. Which PR would be unable to do. - 21Keeps out extremist partiesAGAINST
it prevents extremist parties gaining support and credibility which may undermine democratic values. For example the BNP have been elected before to the European Parliament - 22Keeps a constituency linkAGAINST
citizens can identify their representative and deal with issues directly with that person - 23Clear accountabilityAGAINST
clear lines of responsibility. FPTP systems has a sense of punishing a government that lets the public down. With PR it is much less clear where political responsibility lays - 24Reflects broad popular movementsAGAINST
1979 and 1997 seen as representing a 'sea change' or major shift in public opinion- prevailing mood - 25Poor alternatives on offerAGAINST
no system can deliver the benefits of FPTP.
AMS confusing hybrid Tony Benn "piggyback MPs"
Closed list highly undemocratic - 26No demand for changeAGAINST
the outcome of the referendum on the 5th of may ended the question on whether change was disred
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- A - Level Government and Politics (AS) Flashcards on Reforming First Past the Post, created by Yasmine King on 04/06/2017.
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- Yasmine King
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