The effects of the first past the post electoral system

Britain’s electoral system gives small political parties very few MPs in the House of Commons, even though they may get many votes.

1. Answer these questions after your reading the text.

a. How many chambers are there in Russian Parliament and what are they called?

b. How old do you have to be to vote in this country?

c. How many political parties are there in Russia and what are they called?

d. What is the title of the most powerful person in Parliament of our country?

e. Answer the same questions for Britain.

2. a. Compare the percentage of Liberal Democrat MPs with the percentage of people that voted for them.

(See the diagram)

How many Liberal Democrat MPs would there be in the House of Commons, if Britain had a system of

proportional representation? (See the diagram).

b. What electoral system does Russia have?