Additional Member System (AMS) Voting
The Additional Member System (AMS) is a mixed electoral system that combines elements of First Past the Post (FPTP) and proportional representation. This page explores the key features and advantages of AMS compared to FPTP.
Stronger Link Between Public and Representatives
AMS provides a stronger connection between the public and their elected representatives compared to FPTP. Under AMS, voters have two votes - one for a constituency candidate and one for a party list. This dual voting system increases the likelihood that at least one of the voter's choices will be represented in parliament.
Example: In Central Ayrshire, even if a Labour voter's constituency candidate loses to the SNP, their party list vote could still help Labour gain regional seats in parliament.
This system encourages a closer relationship between constituents and their representatives, as voters are more likely to seek assistance from someone they voted for.
More Effective Parliament
AMS leads to a stronger and more diverse parliament compared to FPTP. The proportional element of AMS allows smaller parties to gain representation, leading to a more inclusive decision-making process.
Highlight: In the Scottish Parliament, the SNP has had to form coalitions or make deals with other parties like the Greens or Conservatives to pass legislation, ensuring more voices are heard.
This contrasts with FPTP, where smaller parties can be shut out despite significant vote shares. For instance, in the 2019 UK general election, the Green Party won only one seat despite receiving 900,000 votes nationwide.
Greater Proportionality and Fairer Results
AMS provides a more proportional representation of voter preferences compared to FPTP. This system gives smaller parties a better chance of gaining seats based on their overall vote share.
Example: In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the Conservative Party received approximately 24% of the votes and won around 24% of the seats, demonstrating a close match between votes and representation.
FPTP, on the other hand, can lead to tactical voting and misrepresentation of voter preferences. In some constituencies, voters may support a candidate they don't prefer simply to prevent another party from winning.
Vocabulary: Tactical voting refers to voting for a candidate who is not one's first choice, but has a better chance of defeating an undesired candidate.
While FPTP has some advantages, such as simplicity and clear local representation, AMS offers a more balanced approach that combines local accountability with overall proportionality.
