UK Electoral Systems and Changes

Disproportionality and minority rule.

Tactical voting is when voters choose the least bad option that they think will win, rather than their preferred candidate.

A safe seat is a constituency where the outcome is highly predictable, resulting in wasted votes.

<p>It allowed both men and women to vote at age 21, removing previous property qualifications for women.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, without needing an absolute majority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Prime Minister is the leader of the party that wins the most seats and is invited to form a government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Regional elections and European elections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>52% of voters chose to leave the European Union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour experienced significant losses to the Conservatives, indicating a shift in traditional voting patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Liberal Democrats made the most progress in affluent, traditionally Conservative areas, especially in the south of England and parts of London.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The SNP's vote collapsed due to scandals and ongoing demands for Scottish independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Voter turnout is generally lower in second-order elections than in general elections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>There was a decline in class voting, with people beginning to prioritize issues like feminism and the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The new cleavages are based on Brexit views, regional differences (e.g., Scotland and N.Ireland), and educational backgrounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Disproportionality occurs when the number of seats a party gains is not proportional to the number of votes they receive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Speaker is an elected MP who oversees parliamentary proceedings and is not necessarily from the governing party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prerogative powers belong to the monarch and are exercised by the prime minister on the monarch's behalf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Brexit created a divide between remain and leave supporters, influencing voting patterns based on regional and educational backgrounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'Grey vote' refers to older voters who tend to have higher turnout rates compared to younger demographics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Front benches consist of the cabinet; shadow cabinets are the main opposition's counterparts; back benches are regular MPs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Scotland saw a more competitive landscape, with the SNP's dominance challenged by other pro-independence and unionist parties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased education levels led to a decline in class-based voting, making voters more open to various political issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>FPTP turns voting into a tactical game, leading voters to cast their votes based on strategy rather than genuine political preference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Younger voters traditionally favored Labour while older voters supported the Conservatives. In 2024, young voters showed a stronger rejection of the Conservatives and favored smaller, left-wing parties instead.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Individuals over the age of 65 are the demographic group most likely to vote Conservative.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 2024 election reinforced the declining support trend for the major parties, Labour and Conservatives, with their combined vote share hitting a record low of 57%.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Youthquake' refers to the surge in young voter engagement that benefitted Labour in 2017.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Young voters from poorer households were slightly more likely to support Reform, with 13% favoring the party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The UK faces significant disengagement from politics among younger generations, particularly due to lower participation rates in elections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'Red Wall' refers to constituencies in Northern England historically supporting Labour, which turned Conservative in the 2019 election.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour made most progress in areas with high youth populations and urban centers, especially in London.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Proportional Representation is argued to fix the democratic crisis caused by FPTP, allowing for a more accurate representation of voters' pluralistic views.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour's recent overwhelming majority under FPTP raises doubts about their commitment to endorsing democratic reforms, such as PR.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>FPTP tends to marginalize smaller parties, making it difficult for them to gain seats despite potentially significant voter support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lower youth turnout contributes to a sustained decline in electoral participation, threatening the health of democracy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chowns suggested that electoral reform, while necessary, could empower smaller parties like Reform, which might pose risks to political stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The political landscape shifted as Labour regained support in areas previously dominated by Conservatives, particularly in the 'Red Wall' regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Green Party is pressuring Labour on climate policy and appealing to progressive voters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour's cautious approach risks isolating the party from its activist base, potentially weakening long-term support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The crisis exposed overreliance on the financial sector and a lack of systemic reforms to ensure equitable growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Allegations of conflicts of interest regarding gifts from wealthy donors and football tickets contribute to public skepticism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It highlights the tension between grassroots activism and the party's current focus on broad electoral appeal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Starmer's leadership emphasizes pragmatism and moderation, prioritizing electability over radical change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Focusing too heavily on centrists could alienate Labour's radical base, undermining its identity as a movement for change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour must reconcile the need for tangible changes that resonate with its core supporters with the necessity of appealing to the wider electorate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>New Labour's neoliberal model prioritized deregulation and privatization, entrenching inequality and neglecting systemic reforms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The scandals surrounding financial dealings may exacerbate skepticism about Labour's transparency and accountability among voters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>France uses a two-round system requiring an absolute majority, while the UK employs a relative majority system in a single round.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A whip enforces party discipline by communicating the leader's instructions to the MPs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A hung parliament can lead to a minority government, a new election, or a coalition government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The royal family is seen as a symbol of oppression, faces public scandals, and incurs significant costs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Conservative Party suffered from a lack of identity, a tainted legacy, and internal divisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The term originates from a speech by Benjamin Disraeli in 1837, focusing on social division between rich and poor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The collapse resulted from economic mismanagement, division, and alienation of moderate voters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The party needs to choose between continuing right-wing populism or moving towards the political center.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They may shift to the right to appeal to the older, wealthier party membership focused on issues like immigration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Starmer's leadership unified Labour, abandoned unpopular policies, and reclaimed the center ground.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The royal family is entangled in issues of imperialism, modern relevance, and public scrutiny.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Prime Minister’s position affects separation of powers by merging executive and legislative roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Concerns included economic mismanagement and the rising cost of living, important to moderate voters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kemi Badenoch was born to Nigerian parents, spent her childhood in Nigeria, and worked at McDonald's.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is known for her bold and direct speaking style, gaining recognition for her clarity in debates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kier Hardie was the first leader of the Labour Party, and he was a trade unionist who aimed to represent working-class people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clause IV commits the Labour Party to the common ownership of the means of production, reflecting Marxist ideology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The five giants were poverty, ignorance, illness, squalor, and unemployment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tony Blair created the 'New Labour' approach, moving the party towards the center and distancing it from its socialist roots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Jeremy Corbyn adhered to old Labour values, promoting far-left policies and euroscepticism, contrasting with centrist MPs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Britain's reluctance to join the EEC led to economic isolation and stagnation while other member countries thrived economically.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The UK sought to join the EEC in the 1960s as other countries experienced economic success while Britain struggled economically.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'Third Way' was a political stance that sought to encompass ideas from both socialism and capitalism, avoiding extremes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Under Tony Blair, the Labour Party supported international interventions, exemplified by his backing of the Iraq War based on WMD claims.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Keir Starmer became the leader in 2020, adopting a cautious centrist approach on the economy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kemi Badenoch gained visibility as a rising figure by introducing Theresa May’s conference speech and by finishing fourth in the 2022 leadership contest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kemi Badenoch is the first Black woman to lead the Conservative Party, marking a significant milestone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It means she emphasizes conservative cultural values and actively opposes progressive social movements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her main challenge is to move beyond her party's base to win public trust and broaden her appeal ahead of the next election.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Margaret Thatcher's leadership was characterized by a small state, privatization of utilities, and a strong anti-union stance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>David Cameron modernized the party by vocalizing environmental issues and supporting social policies like same-sex marriage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Theresa May, despite being broadly against Brexit, organized the departure process to fulfill the electorate's will.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Boris Johnson's prorogation was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Liz Truss faced a cost of living crisis during her brief time in office.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rishi Sunak became the first Person of Color to serve as Prime Minister in the UK.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour proposes to limit the winter fuel payment to the poorest pensioners.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour positioned itself as a stable alternative amidst the collapse of Conservative support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Labour risks losing support due to fragmentation from progressive groups critical of its policy stances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Conservative Party maintained longevity through adaptability to changing political landscapes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tactical voting allowed Labour to capitalize on the disillusionment with the Conservatives, aiding their electoral performance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Windsor Framework allowed Northern Ireland to have more say over its regulatory environment while reflecting its unique position between the UK and EU.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The SNP suffered a catastrophic defeat, retaining only 9 out of 59 seats, a significant drop from 48 in 2019.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 2026 election is crucial as a loss could endanger the SNP's hold on power and further delay its independence ambitions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The SNP is experiencing leadership struggles, declining trust in governance, and controversies regarding party finances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Factors include a loss of momentum for the SNP, shifting public priorities to economic and social issues, and an unclear vision for independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The SNP aims to restore public trust by focusing on competent governance and addressing immediate voter concerns rather than independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her resignation contributed to a loss of confidence in the party, exacerbating the decline in public support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Public priorities have shifted from independence to pressing issues like the cost of living and healthcare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>John Swinney is focusing on delivering tangible benefits to Scots and de-emphasizing independence as an immediate goal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A loss in 2026 would further jeopardize the SNP's power and potentially derail their long-term strategy for independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It aimed to silence party pressure against the European Union from within Labour, resulting in a 65% vote to remain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thatcher supported the EU as long as it benefited Britain but criticized the high budget contributions, securing a 66% rebate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soft-Eurosceptics wanted to reform the EU from within, while hard-Eurosceptics favored leaving the EU entirely.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The referendum resulted in 52% voting to leave and 48% voting to remain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland aligned with certain EU rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The trade border was created in the Irish Sea, distinguishing customs between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Unionists/DUP opposed it due to perceived undermining of the union, Brexiteers viewed it as against Brexit principles, and business owners faced increased bureaucracy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It introduced Red and Green Lanes to differentiate between goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with minimal checks for the Green Lane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It allows Northern Ireland's Assembly to object to new EU laws if 30 members from at least two parties agree, enhancing local input.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cameron promised the referendum to appease critics within his party and address growing Euroscepticism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Typical leave voters were older, lower educated, and rural, while remain voters skewed younger, more educated, and urban.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>UKIP, as a Eurosceptic party, advocated for British independence from the EU and influenced public sentiment on sovereignty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Blair's government opted into the social chapter and supported treaties that facilitated the EU's enlargement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Good Friday Agreement established a soft border, and its protection became a critical issue amid Brexit negotiations.</p> Signup and view all the answers