🇬🇧UK Constitution and Government Unit 8 – Elections and Electoral Systems

What's This Unit All About?

• Explores the different ways in which representatives are elected in democratic systems
• Examines the specific electoral system used in the United Kingdom
  • Includes the First Past the Post (FPTP) system for parliamentary elections
  • Covers the use of party lists for European Parliament elections (until Brexit)
• Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various electoral systems
  • Considers factors such as representation, accountability, and stability
• Discusses recent debates and proposed reforms to the UK's electoral system
  • Includes the 2011 referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) system
• Explains the practical aspects of how elections are conducted in the UK
  • Covers voter registration, campaigning, and the counting of votes
• Explores the broader significance of electoral systems for democratic governance

Key Concepts and Terms

• Electoral system: The method used to translate votes into seats in a representative body
• First Past the Post (FPTP): The electoral system used for UK parliamentary elections, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins
• Proportional Representation (PR): Electoral systems that aim to allocate seats in proportion to the share of votes received by each party
  • Examples include the Single Transferable Vote (STV) and party list systems
• Constituency: A geographical area represented by a single Member of Parliament (MP)
• Swing: The change in the share of votes between two main parties from one election to another
• Marginal seat: A constituency where the incumbent MP has a small majority, making it a key battleground in elections
• Turnout: The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election
• Electoral Commission: The independent body responsible for regulating elections and referendums in the UK

Types of Electoral Systems

• Majoritarian systems: Aim to produce a clear winner, often at the expense of proportionality
  • First Past the Post (FPTP): Used in UK parliamentary elections, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins
  • Alternative Vote (AV): Voters rank candidates in order of preference, with the lowest-ranked candidates eliminated and their votes redistributed until one candidate has a majority
• Proportional Representation (PR) systems: Seek to allocate seats in proportion to the share of votes received by each party
  • Party list systems: Voters choose a party rather than a candidate, and seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes received by each party
    • Can be "closed list" (where the party determines the order of candidates) or "open list" (where voters can influence the order)
  • Single Transferable Vote (STV): Voters rank candidates in multi-member constituencies, with seats allocated based on reaching a quota of votes
• Mixed systems: Combine elements of majoritarian and proportional systems
  • Additional Member System (AMS): Used in Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly elections, where some MPs are elected via FPTP and others via party lists to ensure proportionality

The UK's Electoral System

• The UK uses the First Past the Post (FPTP) system for parliamentary elections
  • The country is divided into 650 constituencies, each represented by a single MP
  • In each constituency, the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority
• The FPTP system tends to produce strong single-party governments
  • Can lead to "wasted votes" and a lack of proportionality between votes and seats
• The UK used a closed party list system for European Parliament elections until Brexit
• Devolved parliaments and assemblies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different electoral systems
  • The Additional Member System (AMS) is used in Scotland and Wales, combining FPTP and party lists
  • The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is used in Northern Ireland, allowing for more proportional representation
• Local council elections in England and Wales use FPTP, while Scotland and Northern Ireland use STV

Pros and Cons of Different Systems

• First Past the Post (FPTP):
  • Pros: Tends to produce strong, stable governments and maintains a clear link between MPs and their constituencies
  • Cons: Can lead to disproportionate results and "wasted votes," with smaller parties underrepresented
• Proportional Representation (PR) systems:
  • Pros: Ensure a closer match between votes and seats, giving smaller parties a better chance of representation
  • Cons: Can lead to fragmented parliaments and coalition governments, potentially reducing accountability
• Alternative Vote (AV):
  • Pros: Ensures that the winning candidate has a majority of support, eliminating the need for tactical voting
  • Cons: May not significantly improve proportionality and can lead to more complex ballots
• Mixed systems (e.g., Additional Member System):
  • Pros: Attempt to balance the benefits of both majoritarian and proportional systems
  • Cons: Can create two classes of representatives and may not fully satisfy proponents of either system

Recent Debates and Reforms

• The 2011 referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) system
  • Proposed replacing FPTP with AV for UK parliamentary elections
  • The referendum resulted in a decisive rejection of AV, with 67.9% voting against the change
• Calls for greater proportionality and fairness in the electoral system
  • Some argue that the current FPTP system is outdated and unrepresentative
  • Proponents of reform suggest moving towards a more proportional system, such as STV or a mixed system
• Debate over the role of the House of Lords in the UK's electoral system
  • Currently, members of the House of Lords are appointed rather than elected
  • Some argue for reform, such as introducing elected members or abolishing the chamber altogether
• The impact of Brexit on the UK's electoral landscape
  • The UK's withdrawal from the European Union has ended the use of the party list system for European Parliament elections
  • Brexit has also shifted the focus of political debate and may influence future electoral reforms

How Elections Actually Work

• Voter registration: Citizens must register to vote in order to participate in elections
  • The electoral register is maintained by local authorities and updated annually
  • Voters can register online, by mail, or in person
• Campaigning: Political parties and candidates campaign to win support from voters
  • Includes door-to-door canvassing, leafleting, and public meetings
  • Strict rules govern campaign spending and advertising to ensure fairness
• Polling day: Voters cast their ballots at designated polling stations
  • Polling stations are open from 7 am to 10 pm on election day
  • Voters mark their choice on a ballot paper in a private booth
• Counting the votes: After polls close, the votes are counted and the results announced
  • Counting is conducted by local authorities, with candidates and their agents present to observe
  • The candidate with the most votes in each constituency is declared the winner
• Forming a government: After the election, the party or parties with the most seats in Parliament form the government
  • If no party has an overall majority, negotiations may take place to form a coalition or minority government

Why This Stuff Matters

• Electoral systems shape the nature of political representation and governance
  • The choice of electoral system can influence the balance between stability and proportionality
  • Different systems create different incentives for political parties and candidates
• Understanding electoral systems is crucial for informed democratic participation
  • Knowing how votes translate into seats can help citizens make informed choices at the ballot box
  • Engaging in debates about electoral reform requires knowledge of the pros and cons of different systems
• Electoral systems have far-reaching consequences for policy-making and political outcomes
  • The composition of parliaments and governments affects the direction of national policy
  • Electoral systems can influence the representation of different social groups and interests
• The legitimacy and stability of democratic institutions depend on the perceived fairness of electoral systems
  • Public trust in the electoral process is essential for the health of democracy
  • Debates about electoral reform reflect ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of democratic governance