1. Is First-Past-The-Post Fair?

2. You can be elected with less than 50% of the votes NamePartyVotes%+/- Eric JoyceLabour23,20745.7-5.1 John McNallyScottish National Party15,36430.3+8.9 Katie MackieConservative5,69811.2+1.3 Kieran LeachLiberal Democrat5,22510.3-5.7 Brian GoldieUK Independence Party1,2832.5+2.5 Majority7,84315.4 Turnout50,77762.0+2.4

3. Parties can win lots of seats with a very small majority. There are no prizes for second place Winner!! NamePartyVotes%+/- Eric JoyceLabour23,20745.7-5.1 John McNallyScottish National Party15,36430.3+8.9 Katie MackieConservative5,69811.2+1.3 Kieran LeachLiberal Democrat5,22510.3-5.7 Brian GoldieUK Independence Party1,2832.5+2.5 Majority7,84315.4 Turnout50,77762.0+2.4

4. Votes are wasted Votes cast for smaller parties in constituencies with a large majority are effectively wasted. Over 27,000 votes are effectively wasted in this constituency. NamePartyVotes%+/- Eric JoyceLabour23,20745.7-5.1 John McNallyScottish National Party15,36430.3+8.9 Katie MackieConservative5,69811.2+1.3 Kieran LeachLiberal Democrat5,22510.3-5.7 Brian GoldieUK Independence Party1,2832.5+2.5 Majority7,84315.4 Turnout50,77762.0+2.4

5. The number of seats in the House of Commons is not in line with the % of votes received 2005 Election Results SeatsVotes Labour356 (55.1%)35.3% Conservatives198 (30.7%)32.4% Lib Dems62 (9.6%)22.1% SNP6 (0.9%)1.5% Labour won the election and formed the Government – notice they had more than 50% of the seats!

6. Most governments have more people voting against them than for them – democratic? The Conservatives only got 36.1% of the votes so 63.9% of votes were cast against the Conservatives! 2010 Election Results SeatsVotes Conservatives307 36.1% Labour258 29% Lib Dems5723% DUP8 0.6% SNP6 1.7%

7. A party can come second in a number of constituencies but potentially get no seats Constituencies must be won before a party wins a ‘seat’ and therefore representation in Parliament

8. Fair and easy system for voters to understand The candidate/party with the most votes wins – they have received more votes than any other party! 2010 Election Results SeatsVotes Conservatives307 36.1% Labour258 29% Lib Dems5723% DUP8 0.6% SNP6 1.7%

9. Simple to operate and quick result You put an X next to the candidate you want to represent your area (constituency). Results can be counted quickly and declared!

10. The vote is cast for a person/party and they will be represent that constituency You know exactly who you are voting for

11. It avoids coalitions – where two parties have to work together to have a majority in parliament Nobody voted for a coalition – democracy? Scottish Parliament Election Results (2007) Labour - 46 Lib Dems -15 Greens - 2 Independents - 1 Tories - 18 SNP - 47

12. Usually one party gains a majority This creates a strong Government and they can be judged on the decisions they make – not a coalition