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First past the post

Study note

To elect MPs to the House of Commons, the UK uses a voting system known as first past the post. The country is divided into areas called constituencies, and each one elects a single MP. The rule is simple: the candidate who gets the most votes in a constituency wins the seat and becomes its MP.

Under first past the post, a candidate only needs more votes than any other candidate to win. They do not need to win more than half of all the votes cast, just the largest share. This system is used for general elections to the Commons, rather than proportional representation, which is used for some other UK elections. For the test, remember the name first past the post and that the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.

Memory tip: First past the post: most votes in a constituency wins the seat.

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Question 1 of 3

What voting system is used to elect MPs to the House of Commons?

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Show all questions and answers for First past the post(3 questions with explanations)

First past the post: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What voting system is used to elect MPs to the House of Commons?

    • A national lottery
    • Appointment by the monarch
    • First past the post
    • Proportional representation only

    Correct answer: First past the post

    MPs are elected using the 'first past the post' system, where the candidate with the most votes wins.

  2. 2. Under 'first past the post', the candidate with the most votes in a constituency becomes the MP.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. The candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even without a majority of all votes.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • MPs are elected to the House of Commons by proportional representation
    • MPs are elected to the House of Commons using first-past-the-post

    Correct answer: MPs are elected to the House of Commons using first-past-the-post

    The House of Commons is elected using first-past-the-post, where the candidate with the most votes wins.

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