AMS analysis

Total score: 11.5/20!

Proportionality/party representation

4.5/5

• Second ballot form of regional PR so is proportional

• D’Hondt formula used to ensure parties evenly represented

• Still favours major parties

Examples:

• Welsh Senedd 2021- Tories and Plaid Cymru (Wales) benefit where they would suffer under FPTP due to their lack of regional concentration

Voter choice

3/5

• Voters have 2 votes and can vote for their constituency representative with their first vote, but any party with their second

• The closed list aspect does mean they have no control over the candidate chosen for their second vote

Examples:

• Smaller parties are more represented than in FPTP

• Split ticket voting is common (voting for a different party with the votes)

Strong and stable govt

1/5

• Always a minority govt due to the proportionality

• Coalitions are likely and this makes it very hard to pass legislation

• Smaller parties are given more of a voice

• If a single party does secure a majority, they are very democratically legitimate as they have a hugely wide base of support

Examples:

• SNP majority was prevented in 2021 due to tactical voting

• Only ever been 1 majority (2011) in 6 Scottish elections

Constituency-voter link

3/5

• Visible channel of communication

• Represent constituency’s interests

• 2 tiers of MPs are created

Examples:

• List candidates tend to have more roles in govt

  • Good: fewer constituency MPs subject to collective responsibility

  • Bad: list MPs seen as superior, more MPs in general are subject to collective responsibility due to the smaller number of MPs in general