FPTP electoral system

Created by: Tashie7
Created on: 05-04-16 13:28


	FPTP electoral system
	Advantages Its a simple system that can easily be understood by the public. Produces a stable one party government( from a two-party system); bills are able to be passed in the House of Commons meaning that Britain has an effective government. Quick and easy process that allows the results to be collected in over night The most popular party is empowered- in the case of a two party system this would be either the Conservative party or the Labour party. Minor parties are excluded from office. Accountability is enhanced.	Disadvantages Election results aren't proportional to votes cast overall and therefore it is an unfair system. Small parties and minority groups are often under-represented The 2015 Conservative win based on 37% share of votes suggests that FPTP is no longer working. As a result of the way it works, often there are low turnout rates such as the 2010 election showing only 65% turnout rate. Focuses and emphasises the major political parties such as Labour.
	Evaluation Overall, there are several advantages and disadvantages to FPTP. One the one hand we should keep FPTP as our general election system because it is understood clearly by the public and allows for results to be collected in quickly, but on the other hand, it is under representative and isn't proportional and therefore I think that we should not continue to use FPTP as the disadvantages weigh out the advantages. FPTP is harsh on small parties and doesn't truly represent the views of British voters.

FPTP electoral system

Advantages

Its a simple system that can easily be understood by the public.
Produces a stable one party government( from a two-party system); bills are able to be passed in the House of Commons meaning that Britain has an effective government.
Quick and easy process that allows the results to be collected in over night
The most popular party is empowered- in the case of a two party system this would be either the Conservative party or the Labour party.
Minor parties are excluded from office.
Accountability is enhanced.

Disadvantages

Election results aren't proportional to votes cast overall and therefore it is an unfair system.
Small parties and minority groups are often under-represented
The 2015 Conservative win based on 37% share of votes suggests that FPTP is no longer working.
As a result of the way it works, often there are low turnout rates such as the 2010 election showing only 65% turnout rate.
Focuses and emphasises the major political parties such as Labour.

Evaluation

Overall, there are several advantages and disadvantages to FPTP. One the one hand we should keep FPTP as our general election system because it is understood clearly by the public and allows for results to be collected in quickly, but on the other hand, it is under representative and isn't proportional and therefore I think that we should not continue to use FPTP as the disadvantages weigh out the advantages. FPTP is harsh on small parties and doesn't truly represent the views of British voters.

Get Revising

FPTP electoral system