? starter activity

1
? 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.
2
? starter activity
Trustee - Burke
Constituency Go FSG!
Descriptive /Functional
Delegate e.g. ambassadors
Party mandate from manifesto
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.
3
What electoral systems are used in the UK?
? Key words district magnitude majoritarian
plurality PR mixed
? Learning objectives

• TBAT explain 4 main electoral systems
• key features of FPTP

4
? Your task

• Read Bennet, p.39-40 and take notes on the 4 main
  electoral systems
• Majoritarian
• Plurality
• Proportional Representation
• Mixed
• ?In a different colour begin to note down the
  problems with each system

5
Electoral systems

• Majoritarian absolute majority, e.g. London
  Mayor
• Plurality e.g. FPTP
• PR seats in proportion to result, e.g. European
  elections
• Mixed elements of some/all above, e.g. AMS

? Problems with these voting systems?
6
? Your task

• Read about FPTP in Bennett, p.41-45 and complete
  the spider diagram chart your teacher provides.
• ?With all its faults why do you think 68 of the
  electorate vote against electoral reform in the
  2011 referendum on AV?

7
Key characteristics

• Plurality system
• Used for local general elections
• 650 constituencies
• Roughly 70,000 constituents

8
Two-party system

• Favours 2 main parties (Lab Cons)
• Smaller parties disadvantaged, e.g. in 2010 Lib
  Dems won 57 seats with 23 whilst Lab won 258
  seats with 29

9
Winners bonus

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

10
Bias to Labour

• Differences in sizes of constituencies Lab
  constituencies have fewer voters, so need smaller
  margin to win
• Differential turnout turnout is lower in Lab
  seats, so fewer votes are cast for Lab
• Tactical voting anti-Conservative tactical
  voting is more common than anti-Labour

11
Discrimination against smaller parties

• No rewards for coming second
• Votes are spread thinly across the country

12
Single Party Government

• Working majorities
• Coalitions rare
• 1974 Lab minority govt
• 2010 Con-Dem Coalition 1st since National
  Government of WWII

13
? Your task

• Read p.45-47 and in your own words summarise the
  key advantages and disadvantages of FPTP as a
  scales chart
• ?Lord Hailsham once said FPTP created an
  elective dictatorship Explain what he meant and
  whether you agree.

Qintin Hogg, Lord Hailsham
14
This house believes that FPTP is unfair and needs
to be abandoned in UK elections
15
? Homework

• Read the article on FPTP from Politics Review and
  answer the exam focus questions
• Visit the BBC website and note down the reasons
  for the vote against AV in 2011 (use the film
  clips links as well)
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13297573

16
What electoral systems are used in the UK?
? Key words district magnitude majoritarian
plurality PR mixed
? Learning objectives

• TBAT explain 4 main electoral systems
• key features of FPTP