Welcome to Elections and Referendums!
In this chapter, we explore how the UK decides who runs the country and how big decisions are made. Elections are the heartbeat of our representative democracy, but not every election uses the same rules. We will look at different electoral systems, dive into three landmark elections that changed British history, and examine referendums—when the public gets a direct "Yes" or "No" vote on a single issue. Don't worry if the different systems seem confusing at first; we will break them down step-by-step!
1. Electoral Systems: How We Vote
The UK uses different systems to turn votes into seats. These are generally split into majoritarian systems and proportional systems.
First Past the Post (FPTP) - The Majoritarian System
Used for UK General Elections to the House of Commons. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies. To win a seat, a candidate simply needs one more vote than their nearest rival. This is known as a plurality.
Advantages:
• Simplicity: It is very easy to understand and quick to count.
• Strong Government: It usually produces a clear winner with a majority, allowing them to pass laws easily.
• MP-Constituency Link: Every area has one specific MP to look after its interests.
• Keeps out extremists: Smaller, radical parties find it hard to win seats.
Disadvantages:
• Lack of proportionality: The number of seats won doesn't match the percentage of votes (e.g., a party could get 10% of the national vote but 0 seats).
• Wasted votes: Any vote for a losing candidate or "extra" votes for a winner do not count towards the final result.
• Safe seats: In many areas, the same party always wins, making voters feel their vote doesn't matter.
Additional Member System (AMS) - The Proportional System
Used for elections to the Scottish Parliament (and Welsh Senedd). Voters get two votes: one for a local candidate (FPTP) and one for a party list (Proportional).
Advantages:
• Fairer: The final result is much closer to the percentage of votes cast.
• Choice: Voters can support a local individual they like while still supporting a different party nationally.
Disadvantages:
• Complexity: Having two types of MPs can be confusing.
• Coalition Government: It often leads to no single party having a majority, which can lead to "messy" politics and compromise.
Quick Takeaway: FPTP prioritizes stability and strength, while AMS (and other proportional systems) prioritizes fairness and representation.
2. Three Key Elections Since 1945
To understand how voting behaviour changes, we look at three specific moments in time.
1. The 1979 General Election (Pre-1997)
Winner: Margaret Thatcher (Conservative).
• Context: Followed the "Winter of Discontent," a period of massive strikes and economic chaos under the Labour government.
• Campaign: The famous "Labour Isn't Working" posters. Thatcher focused on individual responsibility and "rolling back the state."
• Voting Patterns: Many working-class voters in the Midlands and South moved to the Conservatives for the first time.
2. The 1997 General Election
Winner: Tony Blair (Labour).
• Context: 18 years of Conservative rule had left the public wanting change. Blair rebranded the party as "New Labour."
• Media: The Sun newspaper, which usually backed the Tories, switched to support Blair.
• Outcome: A massive "landslide" victory. Labour won 418 seats, proving that leadership and rebranding can win over "middle England."
3. The 2019 General Election (Post-1997)
Winner: Boris Johnson (Conservative).
• Context: The country was deadlocked over Brexit.
• Campaign: The simple, repetitive slogan "Get Brexit Done" appealed to a tired electorate.
• Voting Patterns: The collapse of the "Red Wall"—traditionally Labour-voting industrial areas in the North of England switched to the Conservatives. This is a classic example of partisan dealignment (voters no longer feeling a strong, lifelong loyalty to one party).
Did you know? Partisan dealignment means voters act more like "consumers," choosing a party based on current issues rather than their social class or family tradition.
3. Factors Affecting Electoral Outcomes
Why do people vote the way they do? It isn't just about the policies.
• Manifestos: These are documents listing what a party promises to do. They provide a mandate to govern.
• Leadership: Voters often vote for the person they think looks "Prime Ministerial." Trust and charisma are vital.
• Media Influence: While traditional newspapers are less powerful than they used to be, social media "echo chambers" now play a huge role in shaping opinions.
• The Electoral System: FPTP encourages a two-party system because it's so hard for small parties to break through. This is known as "Duverger's Law."
4. Referendums: Direct Democracy
A referendum is a vote on a single issue, usually requiring a "Yes" or "No" answer. In the UK, these are advisory (Parliament technically doesn't have to follow them), but politically, they are almost impossible to ignore.
Why are referendums used?
• To settle a party split: For example, David Cameron called the 2016 Brexit referendum partly to stop his own party from arguing about Europe.
• To grant legitimacy: Big constitutional changes, like setting up the Scottish Parliament (1997), need the public's direct "OK."
• Direct Democracy: It gives people a say on issues that are too big for just a General Election.
Impact of Referendums
• Pros: They encourage political participation and educate the public on specific issues.
• Cons: They can be very divisive (as seen with Brexit). They also challenge Parliamentary Sovereignty, as the people’s will might clash with what MPs think is best.
Key Takeaway Summary:
1. The UK uses FPTP for general elections, which creates strong but less representative governments.
2. Devolved bodies use proportional systems like AMS to be fairer to smaller parties.
3. Elections like 1979, 1997, and 2019 show how class, media, and leadership change voter behaviour.
4. Referendums allow for direct democracy but can cause tension with our representative system.