Alternative Voting

Alternative Voting Systems in the UK

Unit Overview

  • Focus: Different electoral systems used in the UK

  • Aims: Evaluate the strengths and limitations of these systems

Key Electoral Systems

1. First Past the Post (FPTP)

  • Type of System: Plurality electoral system

  • Proportional Representation: No; does not provide proportional outcomes

  • Where Used: UK general elections

  • Votes per Electorate: One vote

    • Advantages:

      • Simple and quick to vote and count

      • Tends to produce a clear winner (majority)

    • Limitations:

      • Can entrench a two-party system

      • Tactical voting is prevalent

      • Disproportionate representation can occur (e.g., a party getting 15-20% of the vote may win very few seats)

      • Example: Liberals in the 1970s with widespread support but few seats.

2. Supplementary Voting (SV)

  • Type of System: Majoritarian system where voters express first and second preferences

  • Proportional Representation: Not applicable for general elections

  • Where Used: Mayor of London elections, Police and Crime Commissioners

  • Votes per Electorate: Two votes

    • Strengths:

      • Supports smaller parties with first preference votes

      • Reduces wasted votes, as second preferences can be utilized

    • Limitations:

      • Tactical voting needed to influence outcomes effectively

      • Winning candidate may not achieve a first preference majority

      • May produce a winner based on less popular support.

      • Example: Could elect the least unpopular candidate rather than the most popular.

3. Single Transferable Vote (STV)

  • Type of System: Proportional representation with ranked preferences

  • Where Used: Northern Ireland Assembly, Local government elections in Scotland, European Parliament, Republic of Ireland's general elections

  • Quotas Needed: Candidates must achieve a specific quota of votes

  • Strengths:

    • Delivers proportional outcomes, enhancing representation

    • Provides greater voter choice among candidates from different parties

    • Encourages competition among individuals on the same party list

    • Limitations:

      • Can be complex for voters to understand

      • May lead to unstable coalition governments

      • Lengthy vote counting process

      • Risks empowering candidates with extremist views.

4. Additional Member System (AMS)

  • Type of System: Hybrid of FPTP and proportional representation

  • Where Used: Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, London Assembly

  • Votes per Electorate: Two (constituency and regional vote)

    • Counting Method:

      • First vote on FPTP basis, second on party lists for proportional representation

    • Strengths:

      • Balances constituency representation with proportional outcomes

      • Enhances representation of women through strategies like "zipping" on party lists

      • Offers split-ticket voting, allowing support for different parties

    • Limitations:

      • Voters cannot choose individual candidates from closed party lists

      • Possible over-representation of larger parties and under-representation of smaller parties

      • Creates two types of representatives, potentially leading to tensions within assemblies.

Conclusion

  • Understanding these systems is crucial in evaluating how effectively they represent the electorate in the UK, their advantages, disadvantages, and overall impact on the political landscape.