Starter Why do we have elections What are the four main types of elections in the UK plus 1 elections to local councils elections to devolved assemblies and the Scottish Parliament ID: 549125
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Slide1
The functions of elections
Starter:Why do we have elections?Slide2
What are the four main types of elections in the UK? (plus 1)
• elections to local councils• elections to devolved assemblies and the Scottish Parliament• elections to individual mayoralties — notably London
• elections to the Westminster
Parliament
Plus EU (as long as it lasts)Slide3
The general purposes of elections are as follows:
• To elect members of a representative body who will represent a constituency — to local councils, devolved assemblies and the Westminster Parliament.
• To elect a
party to form a government or administration
— in the Westminster Parliament. In the case of devolved elections this is not strictly the case, as in all three countries it is unlikely that a single party will win outright. However, there is a general expectation that the party receiving the popular vote will form at least part of an administration.
• To show a
preference for political leaders
— mainly in mayoralty elections and general elections.• To show a preference between different political policies and programmes
(manifestos) —
applies to all elections.
• To
deliver a verdict
on an outgoing administration — applies to all elections.
• To
grant a mandate
to a new government. This purpose is a key issue. This applies most clearly to general elections
because
in UK general elections there is a very strong likelihood that a single party will win outright and therefore be in a position to fulfil its electoral mandate. This purpose is much less clear at other elections, as single parties usually do not win outright and therefore cannot necessarily deliver on
their manifesto pledges.Slide4
To what extent did the 2010 and 2015 elections successfully fulfil the functions described?
• To elect
members of a representative body
who will represent a constituency
• To elect a
party to form a government or administration• To show a
preference for political leaders• To show a preference between different political policies and programmes
(manifestos)
• To deliver a verdict on an outgoing administration• To
grant a mandate
to a new government. Slide5
KEY POINTElections are about more than electing a government.
Emphasis should also be placed strongly on the issue of the granting of a mandate
, provided one party wins the election outright. Sometimes a
government, whether
single-party or coalition, may use an election to seek a fresh mandate.
Will Theresa May call an election to receive a mandate for
Brexit?
Would this be a real reflection of public opinion on that single issue?How does turnout affect this point?https://www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-call-for-new-general-election