Friday, May 7, 2010

2010 British Election - A hung parliament

From left to right: David Cameron (Conservative Party - right wing), Gordon Brown (Labour party - Left wing), Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat - centrist to centre-left)

Yesterday, 6 May 2010, a general election was held in the UK. This means that the British people elected the Members of Parliament (MPs) forming the House of Commons, among them their next Prime Minister (PM). So far, Gordon Brown was the inhabitant of no. 10, Downing St. (see photograph below). Did you know that...
  • British elections take place EVERY FIVE YEARS?
  • Election Day is generally on a Thursday?
  • the Prime Minister's house in 10 Downing Street is commonly known as "number 10"?
But the battle to be the UK's next Prime Minister is still under way after the Conservatives make big gains but fall short of a majority. In fact, this situation has a name: A HUNG PARLIAMENT. If you want to know what that means, click here.


This situation, that is so common in Spain because of the Spanish electoral system, is extremely rare in the UK. This is because of the British electoral system, based on the principle FIRST PAST THE POST. What does it mean?
  • Britain is divided in CONSTITUENCIES (=distritos electorales).
  • The different parties present candidates to win their constituency, that is, ONE SEAT (=escaño) IN PARLIAMENT (in the HOUSE OF COMMONS).
  • The candidate with the largest number of votes is elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for that constituency.
  • The Party with the largest number of elected MPs generally forms the government.

Advantages: This system is relatively easy for voters to understand and it produces quick results (the new Prime Minister can move to Downing Street the day after the election if his party got an absolute majority!!!!)

Disadvantages: The candidate with more votes might not win the election and therefore, would not form a government.


Would you like to enter 10 Downing St. ?

no. 10 Downing St. - House to the British Prime Minister


Sources:
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5 comments:

  1. ConchiMay 8, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    A very interesting article.
    I've watched on tv that Englihs people want a more proportional system.

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  2. LeticiaMay 9, 2010 at 11:24 AM

    Thanks for your comment, Conchi!!!

    I am so happy that someone made comment WITHOUT ME TELLING!!! So cool!!!

    Well, yes, I must confess that I have learnt a lot while preparing this post, as I myself didn't have much idea of how things worked in Britain as to the way they elect their parliament. It is very interesting indeed!!
    And yes, apparently both David Cameron and Gordon Brown have offered Nick Clegg one of his main demands: a reform of the election system...

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  3. UnknownMay 9, 2010 at 6:24 PM

    This article is very well, especially, The Prime Minister's House. Very curious. When the things are well made! Congratulations!

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  4. LeticiaMay 9, 2010 at 6:47 PM

    Thanks Javi!!!

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  5. Ana ParienteMay 10, 2010 at 8:49 PM

    I liked the visit tour to number 10 Downing St. I think that it isn´t very big.
    Huuumm....Nick Clegg is the third party in disagreement. Wow!! he´s married with a spanish woman, she´s catholic, he no. His wife´s father was a major of centre-right in Spain, He is Liberal Democrat.....
    Groucho Marx saw: "It's not politics that creates strange bedfellows, if not marriage" jajajaja.

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