Government and Politics Unit 1 January 2009 Notes

January 2009 Government and Politics Unit 1

1. A) Outline the workings of the Additional Member System (AMS)

The AMS system is hybrid voting system which combines First Past the Post with the regional party list system. Each voter has two votes: one for their constituency and one from the party list as well. It produces a local representative for the electorate and also a regional, multi-member constituency.  The party-list element of the system is used to ‘top up’ the constituency vote, using the D’Hondt method. This voting system is used in the Scottish Parliament.

        B) How has the use of AMS affected party representation in the UK?

The Additional Member System has helped increase the number of different parties gaining representation as it uses the party list in its element, which is a form of proportional representation. For example, the Liberal Democrats saw a surge in administrative power in the Scottish Parliament. It often helps parties with widespread support, as opposed to concentrated support. However, under AMS, it is very unlikely to have a single party majority.

Secondly, AMS has helped reduce the dominance of one-party government. The results under AMS are more proportional, particularly the regional-list part of the vote, as it uses the D’Hondt method. The results of AMS are therefore more democratic and legitimate. As a result of this, smaller parties such as the Green party have gained more representation, and parties such as the Labour have lost the portion they shared (particularly in Wales and Scotland).

Lastly, AMS has allowed nationalist parties such as Plaid Cymru to gain more representation.

This was shown clearly when the SNP were elected into power. However, some would argue that small parties and nationalist parties are not fit to govern, and can also cause disputes.

        C) Should proportional representation be introduced for elections to the House of Commons?

YES: no wasted votes

No tactical voting

More representative of society

Less disproportionate –UKIP 2015

Will help smaller parties gain representation or those with more widespread support

NO: AV 2011- no appetite for change

MP-Constituency link