1. Additional Member System
Electoral Systems
Additional Member System

2. We are learning to… Explain the electoral system known as AMS
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of AMS
Summarise the impact of AMS on the governance of Scotland

3. How are MSPs elected?
Elections for the Scottish Parliament use a proportional representation voting system known as:
The Additional Member System (AMS)
Proportional Representation systems provide a more direct link between the votes received and parliamentary seats won.

4. How does AMS work?
This is a mixed electoral system – every voter casts TWO votes.

5. Constituency Vote Vote one elects the 73 CONSTITUENCY MSPs.
Winner is calculated using the First Past the Post method =
Person with the most votes becomes the MSP for that area.

6. Regional Vote Vote 2 elects the Regional MSPs. 8 regions = 7 MSPs
per region (56 total).
Uses a system known as PARTY LIST.
Vote for the PARTY not the person.

7. The Party List
Before each election, every political party will draw up a “Party List”. This will contain the people they wish to have represent them, as MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.
Once the votes for each party have been calculated, each party will be made aware of the seats they have won.

8. The Impact of AMS
Once an election as been held and the representatives confirmed, a GOVERNMENT must be formed….
A group of people that governs a country or nation. It sets and administers public policy and exercises executive power through customs, institutions and laws.

9. Majority Government
Traditionally, people in the UK have been used to MAJORITY Governments, as traditional voting systems usually provide a clear “winner” after an election.
Majority Government
Formed by a political party that has an absolute majority of seats in parliament.
(More seats than all the other parties put together.)
A MAJORITY in the Scottish Parliament is 65 MSPs or more.
For example, the current UK Government is a MAJORITY Government as there are more Conservative MPs than any other political party in Parliament (330 out of 650).

10. Majority Government
There are many advantages of a majority government:
Majority govs are usually STRONG, because all of the members hold the same political views.
It is easy to pass laws as members will all vote in the same way (usually!).
Provides stability for the country.
Of course there are also disadvantages:
Having one party in power means there will be very little compromise with others.
Many citizens will be disappointed and upset with the government if they voted against them during the election.

11. Coalition Government
Coalition Government.
When two or more parties join together to form the government in order to create an overall majority.
For example, the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalitions at the Scottish Parliament.
Coalitions are Governments which consist of two or more political parties creating a formal pact to work together. Coalitions form when no ONE party can create a majority in parliament. Coalitions are USUALLY formed by parties which have roughly the same ideas and policies. This stops other parties getting together and voting against them.

12. Minority Government
Minority Governments are quite rare. They are governments which are formed by a single political party, which does not have a majority of seats in parliament.
Minority Government.
When a single political party forms the government despite falling short of an absolute majority of seats, but still more than any other single party gained. 
After the 2016 election, The SNP formed a minority government in the Scottish Parliament. This was because the SNP gained 63 seats out of 129 in the election, just shy of the 65 required for a majority.
What kind of issues do you think a minority government would face?
Why would a party form a minority government?

13. The Impact of AMS TASK
AMS was designed to create a better link between the number of votes and the number of seats gained.
What are the advantages of coalition government?
What are the disadvantages of coalition government?
What kind of government currently exists in Scotland?
When PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION systems are used, the usual outcome is:
COALITION GOVERNMENT

14. Arguments for AMS
The second ballot paper makes sure that the result of the election is fairer, if a party gets 20% of the votes in this ballot it will receive roughly 20% of the seats. EXAMPLE: 2017 election - SNP received 44.1% of VOTES and have 45% of the SEATS in Parliament.
Every vote is important; all votes count because of the 2nd ballot; the 2ns ballot paper ensures the proportionality of the parliament. EXAMPLE: Conservatives received 22.5% of the votes in 2017; they are the 2nd largest party due to regional MSPs.
AMS tends to produce coalition or minority governments, which would have to involve compromise. This often leads to decisions which better reflect the Scottish voters’ views.
Allows for greater voter choice; voters can choose to vote across political parties/ independent candidates if they so wish. They are not tied to one strict choice. EXAMPLE: Voters could vote for a Labour candidate for their constituency but vote Liberal Democrat in the regional ballot.
Small parties get better representation, ensuring that many different opinions of the Scottish people are voiced. EXAMPLE: there are currently 6 Green MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

15. Arguments against AMS
Small parties, or even individuals, can hold the balance of power which gives them a lot of influence. SNP had to rely on the Green Party to help pass laws between ; this did not always occur.
AMS tends to produce coalition or minority governments, which would have to involve compromise and can lead to poor governing. For example, the Labour/Lib Dem coalition often came into conflict over drugs and crime laws.
Many people find the system extremely confusing because of the two different types of ballot papers. Remember: ageing population have primary used systems with just “one tick in the box”.
Regional MSPs do not have direct links with their constituents; they represent very large areas and are often unknown to people as they are not directly chosen by the people. This can also be very confusing for voters, who are more familiar with constituency MSP.

16. TIMELINE TASK
Create a timeline in your jotter with the following years on it:
1999
2003
2007
2011
2016
Going around the room, complete your timeline, showing: what kind of government was formed in each election year, which party/parties formed the government and who became the First Minister.

17. Exam Style Questions: Timed
Proportional Representation systems are fair for voters.
Describe, in detail, one reason why a proportional representation voting system you have studied is fair for voters. 4

18. Homework
Describe, in detail, two of the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament (6) Explain, in detail, two reasons why some people think coalition governments are better for the public. (6)