UK Politics- Electoral Systems: FPTP

Is FPTP a plurality or majority system?

Plurality (often MPs with under 50% of support win)

The main advantages of the FPTP system?

MP-Constituency link, reduces the chance of extremist parties gaining power, simple/easy, creates strong and stable governments

The main disadvantages of the FPTP system?

Disproportional outcome/weak mandate, wasted votes, not all constituents have the same amount of choice (safe/marginal seats), tactical voting

How does FPTP provides strong, stable governments with clear mandates?

Because governments need majorities they can easily pass legislation, it is easy to hold governments accountable because one party holds the power & parties gaining a parliamentary majority is a clear signal of mandate

What percentage of the vote did Labour get in 1997, and what percentage of the seats?

43% of the vote and 63% of the seats (179 majority)

What legislation was Blair able to pass with his 179 majority?

The introduction of Scottish Parliament with the 1998 Scotland Act and the 1999 Parliament Act which reformed the House of Lords

How are votes wasted under FPTP?

Surplus votes which the winning party didn't need, votes for losing parties

How many votes did the electoral society say classified as wasted in 2019?

70%

How many people voted tactically in 2019?

32%

Outcome of the South Down constituency in 2019

Chris Hazzard won with 32% of his constituency's vote

Example of constituency work?

Charles Walker, local work in Broxbourne to raise mental health awareness with the company 'Mind'

Example of difference in constituency treatment based on Safe and Marginal seats?

In 2019, Lib Dems spent £334 in Knowsley vs £12,000 in Sheffield Hallam

Examples of safe seats?

Tottenham (Labour) Lammy won with 76% in 2019, Broxbourne Charles Walker MP since 2005

Example of marginal seats?

North East Fife (between Cons and Lib Dems) - won by the Lib Dems by a 3% margin in 2019

How many seats won without the majority of the vote in 2019 general election?

331

How many seats in Greater London are held by Labour?

50/73

How much of the vote share and seats did the Conservatives receive in 2019?

43% vote share 56% seats

In which two 20th century years did Labour win the biggest % of vote share, but not take government?

1951 and 1974

In the 2010 election, what % of the vote did the Lib Dems win vs the % of seats they won?

They got 30% of the vote and under 15% of the seats

In 2019 vs the 2024 by-election in Wellingborough how much of the vote did the Conservatives win?

2019: 62% (Cons safe seat)

2024: 24% of the vote -- ceases being a safe seat

Who won in the 2024 Wellingborough by-election?

Labour with 45% of the vote-- significant change--- protest vote against the current government

What % of the vote did Reform UK win in Wellingborough in the 2024 by-election?

13%

What % of the vote did the Conservatives in in 2015, still becoming government?

37% of the vote

In 2019, what % of the vote did Labour win in Scotland, and how many MPs?

18% of Scotland's vote and returned 1MP in Scotland-- lacking geographical concentration

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, what % of the constituency vote (FPTP) did the SNP win vs what % of the constituency seats?

47% of the constituency vote and 85% of the constituency seats-- AMS maintains the issues of FPTP