Electoral Systems

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  • Created by: Q_
  • Created on: 02-04-19 10:36
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  • Should the FPTP system be retained for general elections?
    • NO
      • Votes are translated into seats fairly - larger parties get more seats than they merit and many smaller parties get fewer seats than they deserve.
      • A party can win a parliamentary majority with as little as 35% of the vote - this is far from a democratic mandate.
      • Regional differences in support are exaggerated, creating electoral deserts.
      • Most MPs do not have the support of a majority of voters in their constituencies.
      • Manty votes do not influence the election outcome, particularly in the growing number of safe seats.
      • FPTP is becoming less likely to deliver what its supporters claim is its key strength, i.e. a strong, single-party government.
    • YES
      • It's simple to use and voters are familiar with it.
      • It tends to produce strong and stable majority governments which can deliver their manifesto commitments.
      • The governing party is held accountable by voters who have a clear choice between two major parties and can remove unpopular governments.
      • It rarely produces unstable minority governments or coalitions that emerge from secretive negotiations.
      • There is a clear link between an MP and the constituency they represent.
      • Extremist parties are kept out of parliament and government.

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