The FPTP vs PR Debate
Political Parties Conservative Party The Conservatives are the strongest defenders of First Past the Post. Their argument centres on the strong, stable single-party government FPTP tends to produce, avoiding the “backroom deals” and coalition horse-trading associated with PR systems. They also stress the constituency link, arguing that FPTP gives voters a clear, identifiable local MP […]
What if . . . the 2024 General Election had been held using Proportional Representation?
You need to be careful with the methodology: voters, parties and campaigns behave differently depending on the electoral system in place, so re-running FPTP vote totals through a different seat-allocation formula doesn’t necessarily reproduce what would actually have happened. Under PR, more parties would likely stand candidates, campaigns would shift, and voters freed from the […]
Plurality/Majoritarian or Proportional Representation?
Electoral Systems: Plurality/Majoritarian versus Proportional Representation 1. Introduction and key terminology An electoral system is the mechanism by which votes cast in an election are converted into seats (or, in some cases, a single office). The choice of system is not a neutral technical matter: it shapes which parties can realistically win power, how governments […]
What if . . .
Wales had used First Past the Post instead of Closed List Proportional in 2026? Welsh Parliament Elections 2026: Closed Proportional List vs First Past the Post Analysis An analytical comparison of the 2026 Senedd election results highlights the dramatic contrast between the actual Closed Proportional List system (introduced under the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) […]
What if . . .
Scotland has used FPTP instead of AMS in 2026? Scottish Parliament Elections 2026: AMS vs First Past the Post Analysis An analytical comparison of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election results highlights the dramatic contrast between the actual Additional Member System (AMS) and a hypothetical First Past the Post (FPTP) model. 1. Executive Summary & Seat […]
Electoral Systems used in the UK
Electoral systems determine how votes cast by citizens are converted into seats in a legislature or council. Across the United Kingdom, several electoral systems operate concurrently across national, devolved, mayoral, and local elections. This reflects distinct democratic priorities, ranging from strong single-party government to local representation, voter choice, and proportional outcomes. 1. First Past the […]
Electoral Systems
Types of Electoral System used in the UK
Theoretical Approaches
1. The Rational Theoretical Approach Deep Definition and Mechanism The Rational approach is rooted in Rational Choice Theory and economic models of political decision making. It assumes that political actors (whether individual politicians, voters, judges, or lobbyists) operate as self – interested, goal oriented, utility maximizing individuals. When analysing political outcomes through a rational lens, […]
Pearson Edexcel and AQA – Comparative Politics
Below is an overview of how AQA and Pearson Edexcel approach US-UK comparative politics in their A-Level Politics specifications. The two specifications may be found Edexcel (here) and AQA (here) Example comparative questions – EDEXCEL Example comparative questions – AQA 1. Structure of the Courses & Options Feature AQA (Specification 7152) Pearson Edexcel (Specification 9PL0) […]
Two Democracies – Overview
Key Definitions Comparative Table: UK vs USA Political Systems Area United Kingdom United States of America Key Term Explanations Democracy and Participation Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy. Uses representative democracy. Participation includes voting, pressure group involvement, and party membership. Centralised unitary state with devolved assemblies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Federal Presidential Republic. High […]