3.3.1 Debates for Different UK Electoral Systems

First Past the Post (FPTP)

Why Large Parties Resist Changing FPTP:

Stable Majorities:

FPTP often produces clear winners with outright majorities, allowing the winning party to govern without the need for coalition-building. This is particularly advantageous for the major parties, as it gives them the ability to implement their policies more effectively without having to compromise with smaller parties.

Protection of the Two-Party System:

The FPTP system perpetuates the dominance of the two-party system by marginalizing smaller parties and reducing their chances of gaining seats. Both the Conservative and Labour parties are incentivized to maintain FPTP because it reduces competition and helps prevent the rise of new political forces that could challenge their dominance.

Historical Precedent and Public Familiarity:

FPTP has been in place for centuries, and both major parties have built their electoral strategies around this system. There is a belief among the leadership of these parties that changing the electoral system could lead to uncertainty and instability, which could jeopardize their electoral prospects.

Resistance to Reform:

Even though there is ongoing debate about the fairness of FPTP, both major parties have historically resisted calls for electoral reform. This resistance is partly because reform could result in a more proportional system that might erode their current advantages under FPTP, making it harder for them to secure clear majorities in Parliament.

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The 2011 Alternative Vote (AV) Referendum

In 2011, the UK held a referendum to decide whether to replace the FPTP system with the Alternative Vote (AV) system for general elections.

Key Points About the 2011 AV Referendum:

1. Campaign Against AV: The referendum saw a strong campaign against the AV system, particularly from the Conservative Party, which argued that FPTP was simpler, cheaper, and more likely to produce strong governments. The Labour Party was split on the issue, with some supporting reform and others opposing it, but overall, the status quo of FPTP was favoured by many within the party.
2. Outcome of the Referendum: The proposal to introduce AV was overwhelmingly rejected by 67.9% of voters, with only 32.1% in favour. This result was seen as a victory for those who supported maintaining FPTP, reinforcing the existing system and the dominance of the two major parties.
3. Implications of the Referendum: The decisive rejection of AV effectively closed the door to electoral reform at the national level for the foreseeable future. It underscored the reluctance of both the electorate and the major political parties to move away from FPTP, despite ongoing debates about its fairness and representativeness.

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Electoral Systems in the UK: Focus on First Past the Post (FPTP) and the Additional Member System (AMS)

The UK employs different electoral systems across its various political institutions, each chosen for specific reasons based on historical context, political culture, and desired outcomes. Two key systems are First Past the Post (FPTP), used for UK general elections, and the Additional Member System (AMS), used for elections to the Scottish Parliament.

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The Additional Member System (AMS) in Scotland

Why Scotland Uses AMS:

Greater Proportionality: AMS was chosen to ensure that the composition of the Scottish Parliament more accurately reflects the political preferences of the electorate. Unlike FPTP, which can lead to disproportionate outcomes, AMS allows for a better match between the percentage of votes received by each party and the number of seats they gain.

Mixed Representation: AMS combines the benefits of FPTP's constituency link with the proportionality of a party list system. Voters have two votes: one for a constituency MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) and another for a regional party list. This ensures that while local representation is maintained, the overall composition of the Parliament is more proportional to the vote share.

Encouragement of Coalition and Consensus Politics: AMS often results in no single party achieving an outright majority, which encourages coalition governments and cross-party collaboration. This system reflects Scotland's political culture, which values inclusivity and consensus-building.

Representation of Smaller Parties: AMS allows smaller parties, such as the Scottish Greens or Liberal Democrats, to gain representation in the Scottish Parliament even if they do not win many (or any) constituency seats. This leads to a more pluralistic and diverse political landscape, where a broader range of views is represented.

Reflecting Scotland's Political Identity: The choice of AMS for the Scottish Parliament was part of the devolution settlement in 1999, which aimed to create a system that reflected Scotland's unique political identity. The proportional aspect of AMS was seen as essential for ensuring that the Scottish Parliament would be inclusive and representative of all political forces within Scotland.

Criticism of AMS:

Complexity:

AMS is more complex than FPTP, with voters needing to understand both constituency and regional voting. This can sometimes lead to confusion among voters.

Potential for Coalition Instability:

While AMS encourages coalition governments, these can be less stable than single-party governments, as they require ongoing negotiation and compromise.

Dilution of Accountability:

The dual nature of AMS, with both constituency and regional MSPs, can make it harder for voters to hold individual representatives accountable, as responsibility for policy and decisions can be shared or unclear.

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Conclusion

The UK uses different electoral systems tailored to the political needs and contexts of different parts of the country. FPTP is used in general elections to maintain stable, single-party governments and a clear link between MPs and their constituencies, despite criticisms of its disproportionality and tendency to marginalize smaller parties. In contrast, Scotland uses the Additional Member System (AMS) for its parliamentary elections to ensure greater proportionality, encourage coalition and consensus politics, and provide a more inclusive and representative political system that reflects the diversity of political opinion within Scotland. Understanding these systems' rationales is crucial for analyzing their impact on political representation and governance in the UK.