Chapter 6
Counting the Votes: Differing Electoral Systems
In This Chapter
Explaining first past the post
Winning a majority of votes
Looking at proportional representation
Elections are a big deal in the UK (and in all democratic countries around the globe for that matter). From deciding which party is to form the national government to who’s going to be in charge of the local council, elections embody the democratic process in all its Technicolor glory.
Although election campaigns can go on for weeks and even months, the vote itself is squeezed into one day when electors are invited to attend a polling station and cast their votes. Election day is the people’s chance to make a difference by saying who they want to represent them, as well as their opportunity to kick politicians out of office who they feel aren’t doing a good job. For election day, read judgement day.
Get your calculator out now, because in this chapter I peer into the polling booths and explain exactly how people elect their politicians.
Listing the Big UK Elections
When you think about British elections your mind probably turns to a general election, with the high-profile national politicians going head to head ...
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