FPTP definition
plurality electoral system most votes in a constinuency win
‘winner takes all’
FPTP is dis
proportional
Advantages of FPTP
strong stable government-often produces single party majority govs
clear link between MP and constinuency- one MP- accountability
Decisive outcomes- avoids coalition bargaining
simple and easy to understand system
It produces clear results, with a single winner in each constituency- loser’s consent so transitions of power are smoother
keeps extreme parties out
coalition less likely
Disadvantages of FPTP and examples
disproportional results- lots of votes few seats e.g reform 2024 election -14% votes 3rd in vote share 4 million votes but only 5 seats, less than 1% of seats
2024 election- Labour 33% one of the most disproportionate results in UK hisory- considering voter turnout was at 60% in reality were only voted in by 1 in 5 of the population.-majority of 411/650 seats in parliament 63% 10 million votes - lack of legitimacy
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a party can win a majority of seats in Parliament with less than a majority of the popular vote.
It can discourage third parties from standing in elections, as they have little chance of winning seats under FPTP
wasted votes- votes for losing candidates or surplus votes in safe seats
unfair -to smaller parties- minority representation
electoral bias- system favours larger parties torys/labour
low turnout in safe seats- lack of voter choice
Two-Party System
Since 1974, every Prime Minister has been either a Conservative or a Labour leader.
29% of seats have not changed hands since 1945
FPTP tends to prodce a —– party system
two
the winner gets far more seats than they would in a proportionate system
called the:
winner’s bonus
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Referendums3
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Politics key terms9
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Single Transferable Vote8
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First Pass the Post6
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AMS9
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1979 Election case study10
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1.0 Key terms Constitution19
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1.1 History of UK consitution13
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2.1 Political parties.35
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2.2 Established Political Parties17
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1.2.1 Under Labour 1997–2010: House of Lords reforms, electoral reform; devolution; Human Rights Act 1998; and the Supreme Court.5
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1.2.2 How the constitution has changed since 1997 Under the Coalition 2010–15: Fixed Term Parliaments, Act 2011; further devolution to Wales.7
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1.2.3 Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum)3
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2.1.2 The main functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the extent to which these functions are fulfilled7
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2.3 The legislative process- the different stages a bill must go through to become law1
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1.2.3 Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum).0
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1.2 Consitutional Change since 1997 Overview19
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1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution on the UK.3
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4.1 The Supreme Court5
