FPTP vote system

how it works

• UK divided up into 650 constituencies

• to stand in elections under FPTP the candidate has to pay a deposit this is returned if 5% of the vote is obtained

• electors cast their vote for one candidate in single member constituencies

• each voter has one vote for one candidate

• the winner only needs plurality of votes the winner is the one with the most votes in there constituency this may not be above 50% of votes cast

• for a party to win the overall general election they aim to have a majority over all other parties in the commons thus they need to get at least 326 MPs elected to be in that position

plurality electoral system

• each voter can only vote for one candidate

• the candidate who achieves the most votes wins

• also known as winner takes all no matter how close the vote was a candidate with less than 50% can win

safe seats

• this is a safe constituency one that is regarded secure by a party

• in such seat there is very little chance of the seat changing party hands

• for example in 2017 labour retained liverpool walton with 85% of the vote

marginal seats

• this is held with a very small lead only require a small amount of votes to change hands

• most money and campaigning is focused in these areas

• for example 2017 SNP won north east fife by only 2 votes

advantages of FPTP

• it creates stability and strong governments able to make coherent decisions yet remaining with the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances

• MPs have close relationship with constituents they meet them regularly at surgeries and represent their concerns in parliament

• the candidate who most people prefer wins that seat

• it is very simple and easy to operate all that is required is an X next to the desired choice

• it is quick to produce a result

• FPTP has the effect of keeping out small extremist parties by discriminating against them

disadvantages of FPTP

• it discriminates in favour of two main parties this can make gov unrepresentative

• votes are wasted on losing candidates or on huge majority’s in safe seats so not everbodys’s vote is worth the same

• other systems also offer constituents good local members to represent them for example STV and AMS

• most MPs do not achieve 50% of votes so they are not representative of their constituency

• electronic voting means the ease and speed of FPTP is overrated

• it discriminates small and moderate parties with legitimate causes and ideologies