Would a change in our voting system enhance our democracy?

Currently our voting system in the UK is the ‘First Past The Post’ system. The definition of the FPTP system: “First Past the Post is the electoral system used to elect the UK parliament. Under First Past The Post voting takes place in constituencies that elect a single MP each. Voters put a cross on a ballot paper next to their favoured candidate and the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins.” But is it really that simple, is it fair and democratic?     

                                                                                           

Democracy is challenged within this system, the main factor being that the number of votes cast for a party in the general election is not reflected in the number of seats that are won. For example 1997 election when the Conservatives gained 18% of the vote in Scotland but not one seat. This issue does not just occur at general election level, it is also an issue at constituency level. It is not truly representative or democratic, furthermore smaller parties are not fairly treated underneath the FPTP system. They may have a large number of votes nationally but they do not get a proportional amount of MP’s because there are not enough votes concentrated within one constituency.

Moreover, the FPTP system encourages tactical voting, this means that you would vote for another party rather than your preferred party just to prevent another party from being elected into power. This also is linked to the issue of smaller parties not having a chance of gaining complete supremacy. People believe that smaller parties are a ‘wasted vote’ due to the larger parties having a strong mandate and the perception of only the two major parties forever being the two major parties. An example of this would be the Green party VS Conservatives and Labour.

But there are some advantages of the FPTP system; there is very little chance of extremist parties being placed into power due to the fact that they are unlikely to gain enough votes in any one constituency in order to gain power.

Another advantage of the FPTP system would be that the results can be counted quickly and efficiently meaning that the transfer of power is quick and easy.

A change in the voting system in my opinion would enhance our democracy massively, depending if it is the right change and the new system is more representative of all voices and is more representative of the nation as a whole.

The disadvantages of the current electoral system definitely and unfortunately outweigh the advantages.