Electoral Systems

UK general elections are held every five years.

First Past The Post

FPTP is the electoral system is used in UK elections. It is a system where in each of the UK's 650 constituencies, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat and becomes the MP in that constituency.

Arguments for FPTP:

• It's easy to understand which is a benefit for elderly and first-time voters. The voter just has to mark an X next to the candidate of their choice on the ballot paper. The candidate who receives the most votes in that constituency wins the seat in parliament. It is so simple that it encourages voters to vote. In 2010, 66% of people turned out to vote in the general election compared to 56% of voters for the more complicated Scottish…