Higher Modern Studies

• Less concentrated vote 
• Votes are widespread across the UK

In the 2010 election, the Lib Dems won 23% of the vote and 57 seats 

Labour won 29% of vote and 307 seats 

In 2015 election, over 10 million votes were to smaller parties.

• Maintains a 2 party system 
• Parties are able to govern on less than 50% 

Votes for 2 largest parties was 67.3% in 2015

In 2017, votes for Conservative and Labour was over 80%

In 2017, Tories got 42.4% of the vote and 318 seats. 

• Represents the views of voters more
• 2 votes 
• Each voter has 8 MSPs representing them
• Problems more likely to be heard 
• In the regional vote, the voter chooses a party whereas in the constituency it is a candidate.

Clydebank and Milngavie constituency, Gil Paterson and 7 regional MSPs- Neil Bibby 

• Do not have a concentrated vote 
  
• Do better in the widespread regional vote 
• More parties = more voices heard

In 2016 election, the Greens got 6.6% of the regional vote and 0.6% of the constituency vote. 

In 2003-7, 8 parties and 2 indy candidates were represented.  

• In FPTP, when a MP dies or resigns a by-election is held to take their place.
• However, in AMS a party list is used so the people do not get any choice
• The party decide 
• No control over who replaces regional MSPs 
• Less opinion from voters

Richard Baker retired as North East's regional MSP, he was replaced by Lesley Brennan with no sort of election 

• The D'Hondt formula 
• Works against those who do well in the constituency vote.
• Harder for the government to pass laws by themselves as they need a majority 
• Have to compromise with other parties 
• Or join a coalition 
• Not what voters voted for 

The minority SNP government of 2007-11 found it difficult to pass laws such as M.A.P in 2010. Only the SNP were for it. Labour were against it