Electoral Systems: January 2009

Electoral Systems: January 2009

1. Outline the workings of the Additional Member System (AMS).

   • The AMS system is a ‘hybrid’ voting system.
   • It is a combination of FPTP with the regional party list system. A plurality and a proportional combination.
   • The electorate make two choices when they vote, one for the candidate in their constituency the other from the party list.
   • The party-list element is used to ‘top up’ the constituency vote. It is used correctively to achieve a more proportional outcome using the D’Hondt method.

2. How has the use of AMS affected party representation in the UK?

   • It has meant that a wider and more diverse range of political parties have been elected than under FPTP.
   • This has meant that more political parties have enjoyed administrative power such as the Liberal Democrats who formerly shared power in the Scottish parliament with Labour.
   • It has reduced the dominance of the Labour Party in both Wales and Scotland. It has not become the automatic or ‘natural’ party of government.
   • It has revived and enhanced the fortunes of the nationalist parties Plaid Cymru and the SNP.
   • It has allowed for minor party representation such as the Scottish Socialist parties in Scotland.

3. Should proportional representation be introduced for elections to the House of Commons?

   • It will make the House of Commons more reflective of how the country voted.
   • It will eradicate many of the anomalies or the alleged unfairness of the current system. These include issues such as tactical voting, safe seats, marginal seats etc.
   • It will increase voter turnout at the general election.
   • It will revive the fortunes of the Liberal democrats and other smaller parties.
   • It will produce unstable governments which fail to secure a working majority.
   • It will introduce coalitions as the norm.
   • There is no major demand amongst the public for change.
   • The current system is easy to use and operate.
   • There are many types of PR and no one system emerges as being appropriate for the House of Commons.
   • It will eradicate the link of MPs to a constituency base.