First-past-the-post (FPTP) works on the majoritarian principle that the candidate with the largest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat. Those who are runners up, however close the contest, receive no electoral reward. With the UK being divided into 650 single-member constituencies, it is possible for parties to gain a large number of votes across the country but to have few or even no MPs.

FPTP Flashcards by Szymon Urban

How does it work?

First-past-the-post (FPTP) works on the majoritarian principle that the candidate with the largest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat.
Those who are runners up, however close the contest, receive no electoral reward.
With the UK being divided into 650 single-member constituencies, it is possible for parties to gain a large number of votes across the country but to have few or even no MPs.

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FPTP Flashcards

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