The Additional Member System

Potential Exam Question Explain, in detail, the advantages and disadvantages of the Additional Member System of voting.

(8 marks)

What to include in this answer

This is a ‘catch all’ question and would be a really good question for you to get in the exam.

In it, you can draw on all that you have learned about how the Additional Member System works.

You need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of AMS.

Election Results Since 1999

How does AMS work? Watch the BBC video clip about AMS. When watching the video clip think about possible advantages and disadvantages of AMS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/modern/living_democracy/politics_in_scotland/revision/1/

Advantages of AMSAdvantages Examples

Working in pairs try to come up with three advantages of AMS – try to include examples.

Advantages of AMSAdvantages Examples

Makes the election results more proportional − the MSPs elected more accurately reflect the views of the Scottish people

E.g. Labour got 29% of the vote in 2011 and 37 MSPs elected – around 29% of the seats.

Maintains the link between constituent and constituency MSP

E.g. people in Cumbernauld know that their local MSP is Jamie Hepburn.

AMS has helped smaller parties win seats

E.g. the Green Party has two MSPs.

Disadvantages of AMSDisadvantages Examples

Working in pairs try to come up with three disadvantages of AMS – try to include examples.

Disadvantages of AMSDisadvantages Examples

Can result in minority government or coalition government

E.g. SNP 2007 – 2011 was a minority government – this made it difficult to pass laws, such as, budgets.

Break the link between constituents and the seven regional MSPs

I.e. political parties decide who becomes regional MSPs – not voters e.g. the Conservatives decided Margaret Mitchell would be a regional MSP.

AMS can confuse voters – how it works – what MSPs should they contact

E.g. people might not be sure whether they should contact Jamie Hepburn (constituency MSP) or a regional MSP.

Answer the question Explain, in detail, the advantages and disadvantages of the Additional Member System of voting.

(8 marks)