Elections and Voting: June 2014

Elections and Voting: June 2014

1. Outline two functions of elections

   • Elections are devices which allow governments to be fairly removed and to form. If a party wins and election it secures the right to govern. If a party loses and election it bows to the loss and leaves the offices of state. They provide legitimacy.
   • Elections serve to be the means in a large society by which citizens can actively participate and feel involved in political life.
   • They are a means of providing choice for the electorate, elections are contested by parties who offer different programmes if they are placed in power/office. Elections serve to identify and secure that choice/option

2. Explain the workings of three electoral systems used in the UK

   • First Past the Post
     • First past the post is used for elections to Westminster.
     • It is a single member simple plurality system. The winner is the person with the most votes, this may not be above 50% of those cast.
     • The MPs returned are geographical located to represent 650 regions within the UK. Each voter has one vote and simply indicated their choice by an ‘x’ next to their preference.
     • Victors in each constituency have a plurality of the vote, to win the overall general election a party aims to have a majority over all other parties in the Commons – thus they need to reach 326 to be in that position.
   • Additional Member System
     • The Additional Member System (AMS) used in the devolved regions of Scotland and Wales and for the London Assembly. It is a combination of FPTP and the regional list system.
     • Each voter casts two votes one for the constituency member this is based on FPTP a single member simple plurality concept and the second vote is not for an individual but for a party from a list.
     • This produces two types of representative one constituency based the other arising from the party list.
     • The list element is present to give a more proportional result.
   • Regional List
     • The Regional Closed Party list is used in the UK (except N. Ireland) for elections to the European Parliament.
     • The UK is divided into regions and the voter does not select a candidate but rather expresses a preference for a party.
     • The party decides the order of names on the party list, hence the term closed list as opposed to an open list (the open list does not operate in the UK) where the voter can select a preference for party candidates.
     • The calculation used is the D’Hondt method.

3. Assess the advantages of the various electoral systems used in the UK

   • FPTP
     • FPTP is favoured for its speed, simplicity and its ability to keep out extremists.
     • Some beleive that fairness is lost or sacrificed for these values.
     • Some say that as other systems are used in the UK and worldwide, the need for simplicity is exaggerated
     • The disadvantage faced by many small parties leads some to question the advantages claimed for FPTP
   • AMS
     • One of the best features of AMS is it's ability to combine the best aspects of FPTP with proportionality
     • Its ease of implementation coupled with the acceptance of the system adds weight to its advantages.
     • Many complain that the fact that the party decides the list and the order of the names denies full democratic transparency to the electorate.
     • A disadvantage of AMS would be that having two routes to being elected is unfair with the successful list candidates having a lower legitimacy threshold.
   • Closed Party List
     • The biggest advantages of the Closed Party List is the fact that it is the most proportionately representative system that is used in the UK – having a close correlation between the % of votes and the % of seats
     • However, the fact that extremist parries such as the BNP gain credibility and representation is a cause for concern.
     • Additionally the low turnout at these elections casts into doubt the advantages claimed by the system.