STV provides for better representation than FPTP. Discuss
Due next Thursday
Paragraph 1
Advantage of STV and disadvantage of FPTP.

STV favours smaller parties. Ended dominance of Labour in local councils.

FPTP favours the big two- not democratic as only 65% of people vote for
these parties.

Give an example of how smaller parties are represented with STV-2012
elections.

Mini conclusion- explain why this means STV provides better representation.
Paragraph 2
Disadvantage of STV and advantage of FPTP.

STV produces coalitions - coalitions can be weak. Labour and SNP in coalition
in Edinburgh. Two enemies - difficulty working together.

Whereas FPTP is a tried and tested system. Majority government - stable
government which normally allows the government to pursue their policies
without compromise.

1997- landslide victory for Labour.

Favoured system of the British public. Referendum in 2010 rejected the
Alternative Vote (AV) system (a PR system similar to STV)

Mini conclusion- STV does not always provide better representation than
FPTP because…
Paragraph 3
Advantage of STV and disadvantage of FPTP.

STV gives the voter more power. Vote in order of preference-vote
within parties or between them. Candidate required to work harder.

STV councillors are more hard-working than FPTP candidates - no safe
seats.

FPTP candidate may rely on the party to get them elected - become
complacent.

Therefore STV provides better representation because…
Paragraph 4
Disadvantage of STV and advantage of FPTP.

Poorer representation under STV - large multi-member constituencies. Many
councillors representing them. Explain the problem with this…who to go to
for advice etc…

FPTP simple majority system - strong link created between councillor and
people of ward.

This shows that FPTP is better because…
For STV
STV was first used in 2007 for local
council elections. Introduced by the
Labour- Liberal coalition. Caused friction
between LA and the SG as it was felt
that it would disadvantage bigger
parties.
This was true as STV is more likely to
produce coalitions. This was evident in
For FPTP
Used for UK parliament elections was
previously used to elect local councils
before 2007.
More coalitions have been produced.
Coalitions can be weak. FPTP produces
the 2012 LA election results. See
handout. Saw a reduction in Labour’s
dominance.
Gives the voter more power. Voting in
order of preference. Voter can vote
within parties and between them. As a
result there are no safe seats and the
candidate must work hard to gain the
vote. Can express preferences between
candidates based on their personal
attributes. Councillors as a result are
more hard working.
STV is a system of proportional
representation (PR) so notionally fairer.
Claim that few votes are ‘wasted’ under
STV and that almost every voter gets at
least partial representation. To gain
election, candidates are required to gain
a pre-determined quota of votes. Where
this does not happen, the second, third,
etc, preference of voters is used until all
the representatives are elected.
With FPTP post many votes are wasted
as the winning candidate does not even
need 50% of the total votes to win.
strong majority governments. Difficult
coalitions formed in the 2012 LA
elections. More likely to create conflict.
However recent referendum to change
the voting system to AV in General
Elections- stability of current coalition in
Westminster- tuition fees?
Simple majority system where the
candidate with the most votes wins. FPTP
retains close representativeconstituency link and usually produces
majority
government. STV breaks the link
between voter and representative due to
large multi-member constituencies.
FPTP is a tried and tested system which
is easy to understand. Voted to keep it.
STV can confuse voters by making them
list their preferred candidates.
To what extent are the original aims of the welfare state still relevant today?
Relevant
Eliminating disease- introduction of the
NHS. Provides primary and secondary
care. Free at the point of need.
Collectivist- based on flat rate
contributions.
Eliminating idleness
Labour- ‘hand up not hand out’
Welfare policies designed to get people
off welfare and into work. National
minimum wage, working tax credits etc.
Eliminating ignorance. Free compulsory
education up to the age of 16. Free
tuition fees in Scotland for higher
education.
Eliminating Squalor- affordable council
housing. Instead of using private
landlords.
Not relevant
NHS has gone through many changes.
Competitive tendering. All services not
free at the point of need- dentists etc.
Cost rationing. Not equal across all
regions- postcode lottery of services.
Therefore not fully comprehensive and
universal.
Many benefits are not universal. Means
testing. Welfare revolution- making cuts.
2012 Welfare Reform Bill.
Huge job losses in public sector. High
rates of unemployment.
England and Wales tuition fees. In
Scotland graduates have to repay loans.
Private education system in existence.
Right to buy scheme- insufficient
quantities of social housing.