Voter in a voting booth, casting their vote under the Proportional Representation Mixed-Member Proportional (PR MMP) system. The scene highlights the democratic process, clarity, and engagement in the voting experience.
1. Introduction
1.1 In the article referenced above, Polly Toynbee lays out the problems with the current electoral system in the UK.
Tactical voting is forced on electors as a result of the current First Past the Post (FPTP) system. FTPT forces voters to engage in tactical voting, which Toynbee calls a "democratic abomination”.
The unfairness of FPTP will be evidenced in Thursday’s election, where Labour is expected to win a disproportionate majority of seats compared to their vote share.
Public support for PR is growing, with 45% backing it compared to only 26% supporting the current system.
Many Labour MPs and party members support PR, including a majority of unions.
FPTP no longer provides the "stability" it once claimed to, as evidenced by recent political turmoil.
PR could lead to more stable governance through coalition-building and consensus.
1.2 Importance of electoral reform now. The case for electoral reform in the United Kingdom is a topic of increasing importance and urgency. The current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system has been critiqued for failing to represent the diverse political views of the electorate adequately.
This dissertation explores the arguments for electoral reform in the UK, examining the limitations of the FPTP system, the benefits of alternative electoral systems, including Mixed-Member Proportional MMP (MMP is explained in a note at the end), and the broader implications for democracy and governance.
2. Limitations of the First-Past-the-Post System
2.1 Disproportionate Representation
- Majority vs. Minority Rule: The FPTP system often results in a disproportionate number of seats relative to the percentage of votes received by parties. For instance, a party may win a majority of seats without a majority of the popular vote, leading to questions about the legitimacy of the government.
- Wasted Votes: Votes for losing candidates or excess votes for winning candidates do not contribute to the overall outcome, effectively wasting a large portion of the electorate's votes.
2.2 Marginalisation of Smaller Parties
- Two-Party Dominance: FPTP tends to favour larger parties, making it difficult for smaller parties to gain representation. This leads to a two-party system that can marginalise alternative voices and reduce the diversity of political discourse.
- Strategic Voting: Voters often feel compelled to vote strategically rather than for their preferred candidate, limiting true democratic expression.
3. Benefits of Alternative Electoral Systems
3.1 Proportional Representation (PR)
- Fairer Representation: PR systems allocate seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives, ensuring that all votes contribute to the final result. This leads to a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences.
- Increased Political Diversity: PR encourages a multi-party system, providing a platform for smaller parties and promoting a broader range of political ideas.
3.2 Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) System
- Combining Best Practices: The MMP system combines elements of FPTP and PR, allowing for local representation alongside proportional allocation of seats. This hybrid approach maintains the constituency link while improving overall proportionality.
- Balanced Representation: MMP ensures that both local and national interests are represented, addressing concerns about geographic representation.
4. Implications for Democracy and Governance
4.1 Enhanced Democratic Legitimacy
- Reflecting Voter Intentions: Electoral systems that better reflect voter intentions increase the legitimacy of the government. A more representative system can enhance public trust and engagement in the political process.
- Reducing Polarisation: Proportional systems can reduce political polarisation by encouraging coalition governments, fostering compromise and collaboration among parties.
4.2 Improved Governance
- Policy Innovation: Diverse representation can lead to more innovative and comprehensive policy solutions, as multiple perspectives are considered.
- Accountability and Responsiveness: Proportional systems can increase accountability, as governments are more responsive to the electorate's diverse needs and preferences.
5. Case Studies and Comparative Analysis
5.1 New Zealand
- : New Zealand transitioned from FPTP to MMP in 1996, leading to more proportional representation and increased voter satisfaction. The change has been credited with enhancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of the government.
- Impact on Governance: The shift to MMP has resulted in more coalition governments, promoting stability and collaboration.
5.2 Germany
- Long-Standing Use of MMP: Germany's use of the MMP system has provided a stable and proportional representation framework, supporting a diverse political landscape.
- Effective Governance: The German experience demonstrates that MMP can facilitate effective governance while ensuring broad representation.
5.3 France
- Semi-Presidential System with Proportional Elements: France employs a semi-presidential system combined with a two-round system for legislative elections. This system has some proportional elements, particularly in the context of presidential elections, where if no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a second round is held between the candidates scoring more than 12.5%.
- Regional Elections: For regional elections, France uses a two-round proportional representation system, which aims to balance majority rule with proportionality. This method allows for broader representation of political parties in regional councils.
- Impact on Governance: France’s electoral system would in normal times promote political stability while allowing for diverse representation. The two-round system encourages alliances and coalition-building, which can lead to more inclusive governance.
However, it can also result in strategic voting in polarised us and them situations such as we know in the 2024 parliamentary elections and may disadvantage smaller parties in the first round of legislative elections.
5.4 Sweden
- Proportional Representation (PR) System: Sweden uses a proportional representation system for its parliamentary elections. The country is divided into multiple constituencies, each electing several members based on the proportion of votes received by each party.
- High Threshold: To ensure stability, Sweden imposes a threshold of 4% of the national vote for a party to enter parliament. This prevents fragmentation while allowing a wide range of parties to gain representation.
- Impact on Governance: Sweden’s PR system has fostered a multi-party system with coalition governments being the norm. This encourages compromise and cooperation among parties, leading to balanced and inclusive policymaking. The system also ensures that smaller parties can influence legislation, reflecting a broader spectrum of public opinion.
These four cases illustrate the variety of ways proportional representation can be implemented to enhance democratic governance. While each country’s approach has its unique features and challenges, the overall impact of PR systems tends to be increased political diversity, better representation of minority voices, and more stable, cooperative governance structures.
See previous piece for more detail on the Swedish implementation.
6. Challenges and Considerations for Reform
6.1 Transition Costs and Complexity
- Implementation Challenges: Transitioning to a new electoral system involves significant logistical and educational efforts. Public understanding and acceptance are crucial for a smooth transition.
- Resistance from Established Interests: Major political parties and established interests may resist change due to potential losses in power and influence.
6.2 Public Engagement and Education
- Informed Electorate: Educating the public about the benefits and functioning of alternative electoral systems is essential for garnering support for reform.
- Ongoing Dialogue: Continuous dialogue with citizens and stakeholders is necessary to address concerns and build consensus around the need for change.
7. Conclusion
The case for electoral reform in the UK is compelling. The limitations of the FPTP system, including disproportionate representation and the marginalisation of smaller parties, highlight the need for change. Alternative systems such as proportional representation and the mixed-member proportional system offer significant benefits, including fairer representation, increased political diversity, and improved democratic legitimacy. While challenges exist, the potential for enhanced governance and a more representative democracy makes the pursuit of electoral reform a worthy endeavour. By learning from international examples and engaging in a thoughtful, inclusive dialogue, the UK can take meaningful steps towards a more equitable and effective electoral system.
NOTE : Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) System
Definition: The Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system is an electoral system that combines elements of first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) to ensure both local representation and overall proportionality.
Description:
- Two Votes: Voters cast two votes—one for a local constituency representative and one for a political party.
- Constituency Seats: The first vote is used to elect representatives in single-member constituencies, similar to the FPTP system.
- Party List Seats: The second vote determines the overall proportion of seats each party should have in the legislature, based on the total national or regional vote.
- Balancing Seats: To achieve proportionality, additional seats (also called compensatory or top-up seats) are allocated to parties based on their share of the party list vote, ensuring that the total number of seats each party holds reflects their proportion of the party vote.
- Proportional Outcome: This system ensures that the overall composition of the legislature is proportionate to the votes cast for each party, while maintaining local representation through constituency MPs.
Conclusion
The MMP system is designed to combine the advantages of direct local representation with the fairness of proportional representation, ensuring a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences.
Examples of Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) Systems in Practice
5.1 New Zealand
- Implementation: New Zealand adopted the MMP system in 1996 following a 1993 referendum.
- Structure: Voters have two votes—one for a local constituency MP and one for a party list. The party list vote determines the overall proportion of seats each party should hold in Parliament.
- Impact: MMP has led to more proportional representation in New Zealand's Parliament, increased diversity, and a more collaborative political environment, often resulting in coalition governments.
5.2 Germany
- Implementation: Germany has used the MMP system since 1949 for its Bundestag elections.
- Structure: Voters cast two votes—one for a candidate in their local constituency and one for a party list. The seats are filled through a combination of directly elected constituency representatives and party list candidates to reflect the party list vote proportionally.
- Impact: MMP has provided stable governance in Germany, allowing for both local representation and proportional representation, leading to coalition governments that encourage compromise and cooperation.
5.3 Scotland
- Implementation: Scotland uses the MMP system, known locally as the Additional Member System (AMS), for its Scottish Parliament elections since its establishment in 1999.
- Structure: Voters have two votes—one for a constituency representative and one for a regional party list. The regional list seats compensate to achieve proportional representation based on the party list vote.
- Impact: The system has resulted in a more proportionally representative Parliament, fostering a multi-party system and encouraging coalition and minority governments, which has enhanced political collaboration and stability.
5.4 Wales
- Implementation: Wales also uses the Additional Member System (AMS) for its Senedd (Welsh Parliament) elections since 1999.
- Structure: Similar to Scotland, voters cast two votes—one for a local constituency representative and one for a regional party list. Regional list seats are allocated to ensure proportional representation.
- Impact: AMS in Wales has promoted a balanced representation, allowing smaller parties to gain seats and influence policy, leading to coalition governments and a more inclusive political environment.
Conclusion
These examples illustrate how the MMP system can enhance democratic representation by combining the strengths of local constituency representation with proportional allocation of seats, leading to more balanced and inclusive governance.
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