starter activity

Each picture refers to a different model of representation. Can you guess which one? Choose 2 models you think are best and be prepared to explain your answer with evidence.

starter activity

Each picture refers to a different model of representation. Can you guess which one? Choose 2 models you think are best and be prepared to explain your answer with evidence.

Trustee - Burke

Party – mandate from manifesto

Constituency – Go FSG!

Delegate –e.g. ambassadors

Descriptive /Functional

What electoral What electoral systems are used systems are used

in the UK?in the UK?

TBAT explain 4 main TBAT explain 4 main electoral systemselectoral systems

& key features of FPTP& key features of FPTP

Learning objectives

Key words: district magnitude majoritarian plurality PR mixed

Your taskYour task

Read Bennet, p.39-40 and take notes Read Bennet, p.39-40 and take notes on the 4 main electoral systems:on the 4 main electoral systems:

MajoritarianMajoritarian PluralityPlurality Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation MixedMixed In a different colour begin to note In a different colour begin to note

down the problems with each systemdown the problems with each system

Electoral systemsElectoral systems

Majoritarian – absolute majority, e.g. Majoritarian – absolute majority, e.g. London MayorLondon Mayor

Plurality – e.g. FPTPPlurality – e.g. FPTP PR – seats in proportion to result, PR – seats in proportion to result,

e.g. European electionse.g. European elections Mixed – elements of some/all above, Mixed – elements of some/all above,

e.g. AMSe.g. AMS Problems with these voting systems?

Your taskYour task

Read about FPTP in Bennett, p.41-45 Read about FPTP in Bennett, p.41-45 and complete the spider diagram and complete the spider diagram chart your teacher provides.chart your teacher provides.

With all its faults why do you think With all its faults why do you think 68% of the electorate vote against 68% of the electorate vote against electoral reform in the 2011 electoral reform in the 2011 referendum on AV?referendum on AV?

Key characteristicsKey characteristics Plurality systemPlurality system Used for local & general electionsUsed for local & general elections 650 constituencies650 constituencies Roughly 70,000 constituentsRoughly 70,000 constituents

Two-party systemTwo-party system

Favours 2 main parties (Lab & Cons)Favours 2 main parties (Lab & Cons) Smaller parties disadvantaged, e.g. Smaller parties disadvantaged, e.g.

in 2010 Lib Dems won 57 seats with in 2010 Lib Dems won 57 seats with 23% whilst Lab won 258 seats with 23% whilst Lab won 258 seats with 29%29%

Winner’s bonusWinner’s bonus

Landslide effect, e.g. Cons (1983 & Landslide effect, e.g. Cons (1983 & 1987) & Lab (1997 & 2001) – 2001 1987) & Lab (1997 & 2001) – 2001 Lab won 40% of vote but 413 of Lab won 40% of vote but 413 of seats in Parliamentseats in Parliament

Bias to LabourBias to Labour

Differences in sizes of constituencies Differences in sizes of constituencies – Lab constituencies have fewer voters, – Lab constituencies have fewer voters, so need smaller margin to winso need smaller margin to win

Differential turnout Differential turnout – turnout is lower – turnout is lower in Lab seats, so fewer votes are cast for in Lab seats, so fewer votes are cast for LabLab

Tactical votingTactical voting – anti-Conservative – anti-Conservative tactical voting is more common than tactical voting is more common than anti-Labouranti-Labour

Discrimination against Discrimination against smaller partiessmaller parties

No rewards for coming secondNo rewards for coming second Votes are spread thinly across the Votes are spread thinly across the

countrycountry

Single Party GovernmentSingle Party Government

Working Working majoritiesmajorities

Coalitions rareCoalitions rare 1974 Lab 1974 Lab

minority govtminority govt 2010 Con-Dem 2010 Con-Dem

Coalition 1Coalition 1stst since National since National Government of Government of WWIIWWII

Your taskYour task

Read p.45-47 and in your own words Read p.45-47 and in your own words summarise the key advantages and summarise the key advantages and disadvantages of FPTP as a ‘scales disadvantages of FPTP as a ‘scales chart’chart’

Lord Hailsham once said FPTP Lord Hailsham once said FPTP created an ‘elective dictatorship” created an ‘elective dictatorship” Explain what he meant and whether Explain what he meant and whether you agree.you agree.

Qintin Hogg, Lord Hailsham

This house believes that FPTP is unfair and needs to be abandoned in UK elections

HomeworkHomework

Read the article on FPTP from Read the article on FPTP from Politics Review and answer the exam Politics Review and answer the exam focus questionsfocus questions

Visit the BBC website and note down Visit the BBC website and note down the reasons for the vote against AV the reasons for the vote against AV in 2011 (use the film clips & links as in 2011 (use the film clips & links as well)well)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13297573

What electoral What electoral systems are used systems are used

in the UK?in the UK?

TBAT explain 4 main TBAT explain 4 main electoral systemselectoral systems

& key features of FPTP& key features of FPTP

Learning objectives

Key words: district magnitude majoritarian plurality PR mixed