How do UK elections work? | CNBC Explains

Summary

The video explains the UK's voting system in the context of the upcoming December general election, the first in nearly a century. It outlines how the 'first-past-the-post' system works, where 650 parliamentary constituencies each elect a Member of Parliament (MP). The party with the most MPs forms the government. The video also discusses Brexit's impact, with major parties offering different solutions. The Conservatives aim to finalize Brexit quickly, while Labour seeks a new referendum. Smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats promise to stop Brexit entirely. This election aims to break the political deadlock over Brexit.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ Britain is holding its first December election in nearly a century, with major implications for Brexit and the UK economy.
• 🏛️ The UK is divided into 650 parliamentary constituencies, each electing one Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons.
• 👥 All British citizens aged 18 and over can vote in the election, with around 46 million registered voters expected to participate.
• 🎯 The UK uses a 'first-past-the-post' system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, often resulting in single-party governments.
• 🔗 A party needs 326 MPs for an absolute majority in parliament, but due to abstentions, the threshold for a working majority is often lower.
• ⚖️ If no party secures a majority, a 'hung parliament' may occur, potentially leading to coalition governments like the 2010 Conservative-Liberal Democrat agreement.
• 🔄 Smaller parties criticize the first-past-the-post system for underrepresentation, as seen in 2015 when the UK Independence Party won 12.6% of votes but only gained one MP.
• 🗣️ The 2019 election is framed as 'a Brexit election,' with the Conservative Party promising to 'get Brexit done' and Labour pledging a new withdrawal agreement and a second referendum.
• 🌍 The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to stop Brexit entirely, offering voters a clear pro-EU alternative.
• ❄️ All major political parties agreed on holding a pre-Christmas election to resolve the political deadlock surrounding Brexit.

Q & A

What is significant about the December election in the U.K.?

The December election is notable because it's the first to take place in December in almost a century, and it could determine both the future of Brexit and the direction of the U.K.'s economy.

How does the U.K.'s voting system work in a general election?

The U.K. is divided into 650 parliamentary constituencies. Each constituency elects one MP to the House of Commons, and the political party that wins the most MPs forms the government.

What is the significance of securing an absolute majority in parliament?

An absolute majority in parliament is 326 seats. This allows the winning party to form a stable government, but the threshold can be lower in practice due to certain MPs abstaining, such as Sinn Fein MPs who don't take their seats.

What could happen if no party secures a majority in the election?

If no party secures a majority, the result could be a hung parliament. Parties may seek to form alliances or coalitions to create a working majority, as happened in 2017 and in 2010.

What is the 'first-past-the-post' voting system, and how does it work?

'First-past-the-post' means that the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency wins the seat, regardless of whether they receive more than half the votes. It's a winner-takes-all system used in the U.K., Canada, and India.

What are some criticisms of the first-past-the-post system?

Critics argue that first-past-the-post often results in MPs winning with less than half the vote, meaning many voters' preferences are not reflected. Smaller parties also feel underrepresented, as the system doesn't proportionally reflect the national vote share.

How does tactical voting play a role in U.K. elections?

Tactical voting occurs when voters in 'safe seats' feel their preferred candidate can't win, so they vote against a candidate they dislike rather than for one they prefer. This can distort the true preferences of the electorate.

What alternatives to first-past-the-post have been considered in the U.K.?

In 2011, the British public voted in a referendum on the Alternative Vote system, but they overwhelmingly rejected it, choosing to keep the first-past-the-post system.

How are the major political parties approaching the Brexit issue in this election?

The Conservative Party, led by Boris Johnson, promises to deliver Brexit by getting parliament to ratify his deal. Labour, led by Jeremy Corbyn, plans to negotiate a new deal and hold a referendum on whether to accept it or remain in the EU. The Liberal Democrats, led by Jo Swinson, promise to revoke Brexit altogether.

Why was a pre-Christmas election considered necessary?

A pre-Christmas election was seen as necessary to break the deadlock over Brexit, as parliament had repeatedly failed to reach a consensus on how to proceed with the U.K.'s departure from the European Union.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Britain's December Election and Voting System Explained

This paragraph introduces Britain's first December election in almost a century, with high stakes concerning Brexit and the future of its economy. It explains how the U.K.'s voting system operates, dividing the country into 650 parliamentary constituencies, each represented by one MP in the House of Commons. Voters choose one candidate, and the one with the most votes wins. The political party with the most MPs is invited by the Queen to form the government, with a majority typically requiring 326 seats. A working majority can be slightly lower, as seen in Northern Ireland’s Sinn Fein party, which abstains from taking its seats. The paragraph also discusses the possibility of a hung parliament, referencing the 2017 election when Theresa May’s Conservatives lost their majority, leading to a deal with the DUP.

05:02

🤔 Potential Outcomes and Coalition Government Possibilities

Here, the paragraph explores what could happen if no party wins a clear majority in the election. It references how Boris Johnson, as the incumbent, would have the first chance to form a government. If he fails, the leader of the opposition party might be given a chance. Coalition-building strategies are discussed, including formal alliances, which could strengthen a party’s position in parliament. The paragraph recalls the 2010 Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition and notes how smaller parties and potential alliances might influence the election outcome.

🏇 First-Past-The-Post Voting System and Its Criticism

This section delves into the U.K.'s 'first-past-the-post' electoral system, comparing it to a horse race where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they secure a majority. The paragraph discusses how this system, also used in countries like Canada and India, tends to produce one-party governments, allowing smoother implementation of their policies. However, critics argue that it often leads to MPs being elected with less than half the vote, meaning most voters may not support the winning candidate. Smaller parties are disadvantaged, as seen in 2015 when UKIP won 12.6% of the vote but gained only one MP.

📊 Tactical Voting and Safe Seats

This paragraph explains the phenomenon of tactical voting, where voters choose a candidate they dislike the least rather than voting for their preferred one, especially in ‘safe seats’ where a party has a historical advantage. Around two-thirds of constituencies in the U.K. are considered safe seats, which can dissuade voters from participating if they believe their vote won’t matter. A 2011 referendum offered the British public a chance to change the voting system to the Alternative Vote, but this was overwhelmingly rejected.

🚨 Key Parties and Their Brexit Stances

Focusing on the upcoming December 12 election, the paragraph outlines the key political players and their positions on Brexit. Boris Johnson has framed the vote as a ‘Brexit election,’ promising to finalize his Brexit deal by January if his Conservative Party wins. Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party proposes negotiating a new withdrawal agreement within six months, followed by a public referendum to choose between that deal or remaining in the EU. The Liberal Democrats, led by Jo Swinson, advocate for scrapping Brexit altogether, positioning the election as a moment for significant change.

🎄 A Pre-Christmas Election and the Effort to End Brexit Deadlock

In this closing paragraph, the discussion shifts to why a pre-Christmas election was deemed necessary by politicians from all major parties. After years of political deadlock over Brexit, the election is seen as a chance to resolve the impasse. Each party is now racing to capture the support of weary voters who are looking for an end to the ongoing constitutional crisis. The paragraph concludes with an invitation for viewers to suggest new topics for future videos.

Keywords

💡General Election

A general election in the U.K. is when voters select Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them in the House of Commons. In this context, it is particularly significant as the 2019 election is expected to decide the future of Brexit and the U.K.'s political direction. The script explains how the election's outcome could shape the leadership and policy decisions regarding Brexit and the economy.

💡First-Past-The-Post

This is the voting system used in U.K. elections, where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins a seat in parliament. The video contrasts this with proportional representation, emphasizing that first-past-the-post often leads to a one-party government, though it is criticized for not reflecting the broader popular vote. The script uses this term to explain how the election might result in a party gaining a disproportionate number of seats compared to their vote share.

💡Parliamentary Constituencies

The U.K. is divided into 650 areas called parliamentary constituencies, each electing one MP. These constituencies vary in geographical size, but each typically has between 60,000 and 80,000 voters. The video uses this concept to explain how MPs are chosen and how representation is structured in the U.K.’s political system.

💡House of Commons

The House of Commons is the lower house of the U.K. Parliament, where elected MPs sit. It is the central legislative body in the British political system. The script explains that the outcome of the general election determines the makeup of the House of Commons and which political party will form the government.

💡Majority Government

A majority government occurs when a political party secures more than half of the seats in the House of Commons, typically 326 out of 650. The script details how securing a majority allows a party to pass legislation more easily, and it explains how the 2017 election resulted in a hung parliament because no party achieved a majority.

💡Hung Parliament

A hung parliament is when no single party secures an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons. The video references the 2017 election, where this situation forced Theresa May's Conservative Party to form a coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay in power. The concept is crucial to understanding the potential outcomes of the 2019 election.

💡Brexit

Brexit refers to the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union. In the video, Brexit is described as a central issue of the 2019 general election, with different political parties offering starkly different approaches. Boris Johnson's Conservative Party is focused on 'getting Brexit done,' while Labour and the Liberal Democrats propose alternative paths, including renegotiating the terms or scrapping Brexit altogether.

💡Tactical Voting

Tactical voting refers to voters choosing a candidate they believe has a better chance of winning over the candidate they least prefer, rather than voting for their first-choice candidate. The video explains that this often happens in 'safe seats,' where one party consistently wins, leading voters to strategically vote for the most viable alternative.

💡Coalition Government

A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties join forces to hold a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The video mentions that if no party wins a majority in the 2019 election, Boris Johnson may attempt to form a coalition, similar to what happened in 2010 when the Conservatives formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

💡Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein is a political party from Northern Ireland that abstains from taking its seats in the U.K. Parliament, as it does not recognize British sovereignty over Ireland. The video mentions that because Sinn Fein does not take its seats, the number required for a working majority in the House of Commons is lower than the official majority threshold of 326.

Highlights

Britain is set for its first December election in nearly a century, which could determine both Brexit's outcome and the future of the U.K.'s economy.

The U.K. is divided into 650 constituencies, each represented by one MP in the House of Commons, with voters choosing one candidate per area.

An absolute majority in parliament is 326 seats, but due to Sinn Fein's abstention, the working majority threshold is often lower.

If no party wins a majority, the election could result in another hung parliament, leading to negotiations for a coalition or minority government.

In 2017, the Conservatives struck a deal with Northern Ireland's DUP to maintain a working majority, highlighting the potential for alliances in this election.

Boris Johnson, as the incumbent, would be given the first chance to form a government if no majority emerges, potentially through coalition-building.

The U.K. uses a first-past-the-post voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, regardless of overall vote distribution.

Critics of first-past-the-post argue that it often results in MPs winning with less than half the vote, and smaller parties are underrepresented.

Tactical voting is a common phenomenon, where voters may choose to vote against a disliked candidate rather than for their preferred choice.

Two-thirds of U.K. constituencies are considered 'safe seats,' where one party has a strong historical advantage.

A referendum in 2011 gave the public a chance to change the voting system, but the alternative vote option was rejected.

Boris Johnson frames the 2019 election as a 'Brexit election,' promising to ratify his Brexit deal by the end of January if the Conservatives win.

Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party proposes negotiating a new withdrawal agreement and holding a second referendum to either leave or remain.

The Liberal Democrats, led by Jo Swinson, advocate for revoking Brexit altogether, positioning the election as a chance for 'seismic change.'

The 2019 election is seen as a crucial opportunity to resolve years of political deadlock over Brexit, with major parties scrambling to secure votes.

Transcripts

Britain is heading to the ballot box for its first December election in almost a century.

It could decide both the fate of the U.K.’s departure from the European Union

and the future of the world’s fifth-largest economy.

So, how does Britain’s voting system work?

In a general election, the U.K. is divided into 650 local areas called parliamentary constituencies,

each of which is represented by one member of parliament, or MP, in the House of Commons.

Constituencies vary in size geographically, but typically each will have between 60,000 and 80,000 voters.

All British citizens resident in the country and aged 18 years old or over on December 12

will be able to cast their ballot, with some 46 million people reportedly registered to vote.

Voters choose one person from a list of candidates to represent their local area,

and the candidate that receives the most votes wins.

All of the elected MPs then enter parliament to sit in the House of Commons

and represent the people in their constituency.

The political party that secures the most MPs is then invited by the Queen to form the government.

An absolute majority in parliament is 326 seats,

although the number for a working majority is slightly lower in practice.

That’s because lawmakers elected for Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland actively abstain from

taking up their seats in Westminster, since the party rejects Britain’s claim to sovereignty over Ireland.

So for example, in the 2017 election, seven Sinn Fein MPs were elected.

This effectively lowered the threshold for a majority to 322.

If there is a clear result when polls close at 10pm on election day,

we can expect to see opposition leaders conceding to the winner.

However, if recent history is to repeat itself and no party secures a majority,

the election could bring about another hung parliament.

In June 2017, a shock exit poll showed Theresa May’s ruling Conservative party

had failed to return a parliamentary majority.

This is completely catastrophic for The Conservatives and for Theresa May.

It forced the prime minister to strike a deal with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, or DUP,

in order to secure a working majority in the House of Commons.

If there is no clear winner this time around, parties could look to create a formal alliance together.

That way, they could bolster their chances of securing enough votes to pass laws in parliament.

As the incumbent, Boris Johnson would get first try to form a government.

Instead of Theresa May’s agreement with the DUP, he could try to secure a formal coalition arrangement,

which is what happened in 2010 between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

... and work together in the national interest.

If Johnson is unable to form a government, he could resign and recommend the leader of

the largest opposition party be given a chance to form the executive.

As is typical with major national parties in campaign mode ahead of the general election,

they have all suggested they would not be willing to work together to form a government.

Most countries around the world use a proportional voting system,

meaning that a party that wins half of the total vote share also wins half of the seats in parliament.

But, not in the U.K.

The voting system used in Westminster is known as first-past-the-post.

A term used in horse racing; it signifies that the contest is effectively over

once a candidate receives the largest number of votes for their local area.

Essentially, it's winner takes all.

The same voting system is used in Canada and India,

as well as many Caribbean and African states.

Advocates of first-past-the-post say it is a simple and familiar process

which usually delivers a one-party government.

It allows that party to implement their plans over the duration of the parliament.

First-past-the-post certainly has its critics, with many quick to point out

that the winning MP usually receives less than half of the vote.

In most constituencies, the majority of people actually end up voting against

the winning candidate rather than for them.

MPs are sometimes elected on a vote share as low as 35%,

leaving the losing parties with 65% of the vote.

The winning party is also usually elected by less than half of the electorate.

In fact, of the 21 general elections between 1935 and 2017, the majority of voters

only voted for parties that formed a government on two separate occasions.

Smaller parties often hit out at the first-past-the-post voting system too,

arguing they do not gain fair representation.

In 2015, the U.K. Independence Party, led at the time by Brexit proponent Nigel Farage,

received 12.6% of the vote, but this only returned one MP.

It's also argued that the first-past-the-post voting system encourages what’s known as tactical voting.

Take so-called ‘safe seats’ for instance.

If you’re a voter that lives in a constituency that usually returns a Labour MP for example,

you may feel there is little point in backing a Conservative candidate

because they are unlikely to be elected.

When this happens, and it happens a lot,

voters may choose to vote against a candidate they dislike rather than for one they prefer.

Or they might not vote at all.

Around two-thirds of constituencies in the U.K. are considered safe seats.

In 2011, the British public was given a chance to change Westminster’s voting system

with the Alternative Vote referendum, but the electorate overwhelmingly rejected this option.

The vote on December 12 is much more likely to usher in a government

led by either the Conservative Party’s Boris Johnson or the Labour party’s Jeremy Corbyn.

The incumbent has sought to frame the vote as “a Brexit election”.

We're going to get Brexit done!

With each of the major national parties offering markedly different

visions of how best to resolve the U.K.’s long-running constitutional crisis.

Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit by October 31 “come what may, do or die,”

demanded a general election after parliament frustrated his attempts

to ratify his last-minute divorce deal with the EU.

As the leader of the center-right Conservatives, Johnson said that if his party wins,

he will get lawmakers to ratify his Brexit divorce deal before the end of January.

By comparison, Corbyn’s Labour party has indicated they would need slightly longer to resolve Brexit.

The center-left opposition has said it will negotiate a new withdrawal agreement

with the bloc within six months of the election.

Labour would then seek to hold a national referendum on whether to leave on the terms it has agreed,

which it says will mean maintaining very close ties between Britain and the EU, or to remain.

Corbyn, the veteran socialist leader of Labour, has said he will stay neutral in such a referendum

We can't go on forever being divided by how people voted in 2016.

He's argued it's right to try to appeal to both the 52% of people who voted Brexit

and the 48% of people that voted to remain.

Meanwhile, the pro EU Liberal Democrats are trying to woo voters away from bigger parties

by promising to scrap Brexit altogether.

Jo Swinson, the leader of the centrist party, has said the fast-approaching vote

is “a moment for seismic change.”

Almost all politicians were in agreement that a pre-Christmas election was necessary

to try to break a cycle of inaction over Brexit.

And major parties are now scrambling to attract weary voters in a bid to end years of political crisis.

Thanks for watching! If there are any other topics you think we should be covering please do let us know.

See you next time.