Parties, Candidates and Elections

How power is won

This part of the course is about the machinery of UK democracy: who is allowed to stand, who is allowed to vote, and how votes turn into seats. One thing to notice straight away. The specification asks about the philosophical differences between the major parties, without naming any of them, so this module does not name any either. What is examined is the KIND of thing parties disagree about, and that does not change when the names do.

What parties actually disagree about

Political parties are organised groups who share broad views and want to form a government. Their deepest disagreements tend to fall along these lines:

The kind of disagreement

A genuine philosophical difference between parties is about _____, for example how far the state should _____ in the economy, or the balance between individual _____ and collective provision. Disagreements about _____ are not philosophical differences at all. The specification does not require you to name _____.

Two kinds of democracy

Democracy means rule by the people, but there are two ways of doing it, and the UK uses mainly the first with occasional use of the second.

Constituency to turnout

The case against deciding directly

Select the TWO genuine weaknesses of deciding an issue by referendum.

• A complicated issue has to be reduced to a single yes or no question
• A low turnout can mean a major change is made on the votes of a minority of those eligible
• Referendums are not permitted anywhere in the UK
• Asking the public directly is undemocratic

First past the post, step by step

The Westminster system works like this, and the detail in the middle is the part that matters: • The UK is divided into constituencies, each electing one MP. • Each voter marks one X for one candidate. • The candidate with the most votes in that constituency wins the seat. Most votes is not the same as more than half, and often it is not. • The party with enough seats to command the Commons normally forms the government. A general election must be held at least every five years, and the Prime Minister can ask for one sooner.

Who wins this seat?

In one constituency the votes are: candidate A 18,000, candidate B 16,000, candidate C 9,000. What happens?

• A wins the seat, even though 25,000 people voted for someone else
• A second round is held between A and B, since nobody passed 50 per cent
• The seat is shared in proportion to the votes each candidate received
• The result is void because no candidate reached a majority

The system argument

The specification asks you to compare first past the post with proportional representation, in which seats are allocated to match each party's share of the vote more closely. Both sides have real arguments, which is why it is examined as a debate.

How an election runs

Put the stages of a UK general election into order, from before polling day to the declaration of a seat.

• Eligible people register to vote and appear on the electoral register
• Parties select their candidate for each constituency, and independents can also stand
• Candidates are formally nominated and pay a deposit of 500 pounds
• Candidates and parties campaign for votes in the constituency
• On polling day each voter marks one X for one candidate
• The votes are counted and the candidate with the most is declared the MP

Who is left out?

Select the TWO people who could NOT vote in a UK general election.

• A 17-year-old living in England
• A person currently serving a prison sentence
• Someone who chose not to vote at the last election
• A 17-year-old in Scotland voting for the Scottish Parliament

First past the post

The UK is divided into _____, each electing one MP, and the candidate with the _____ votes wins the seat, which need not be more than half of them. Electing people to decide on your behalf is _____ democracy; deciding an issue yourself by referendum is _____ democracy. A general election must be held at least every _____ years.

Votes at 16?

"The voting age for UK general elections should be lowered to 16." Evaluate this statement, and reach a conclusion.

• Give two arguments in favour, at least one of which uses a fact about where 16-year-olds can already vote
• Give two arguments against, put as strongly as you can
• Use the words franchise and turnout correctly
• Reach a conclusion that follows from your own arguments
• Argue about the principle, and do not name or favour any political party