Majoritarian Systems

Majoritarian Systems

1. FPTP

   • Simple majority
     • single vote
     • Doesnt require absolute majority
       • wastes votes
   • candidate elected with largest number of votes
     • Close MP- constituency link
   • Party needs to win majority of seats in Commons to form government
     • rarely results in governments that claim the support of more than 50%
   • easy and cheap to operate

2. Alternative Vote

   • Voter ranks candidate in order of preference
     • candidate with least is eliminated
   • have to have absolute majority
   • elected outright if gain more than half the votes
   • More voter choice
     • Reduces tactical voting

3. Supplementary Vote

   • Similar to AV
   • Rank candidates in order of preference
     • If no candidate gains 50%, all but top two candidates are eliminated
   • reduces wasted votes
   • Centre-left is favoured
     • Labour can select Lib Dem as second preference and the reverse