Final dates! Join the tutor2u subject teams in London for a day of exam technique and revision at the cinema. Learn more

Explanations

Single Transferable Vote Explained

Scott Thomas

14th November 2016

Up next in our Electoral Systems series is the Single Transferable vote.

Read the previous instalment, Alternative Vote Explained, if you haven't already.

As before here is a video from CGP Grey, again looking at the Animal Kingdom and then below the impact on the General Election 2015.

CGP Grey - STV Explained

Single Transferable Vote

STV is a form of Proportional Representation. It is used in European Elections, Elections in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Local Elections among others. It works by asking electors to rank candidates using numbers. When the votes are counted, a formula is used to determine the winning percentage of votes. The votes are counted and any surplus votes are reallocated and then the process of eliminating the loser continues until all seats are filled. STV works best on Multi Member Constituencies.

The 2015 Election Under STV

Credit to Press Association and the Electoral Reform Society

Had the 2015 General Election been run under STV the results would have been slightly different to the FPTP results.

  • Conservatives: 276
  • Labour: 236
  • Lib Dems: 26
  • SNP: 34
  • UKIP: 54
  • Green: 3
  • Others: 21

Scott Thomas

Scott is Subject Lead for History at Tutor2u, and works full time as a teacher of History. He has examined for Edexcel and holds a joint degree in History and Politics from Newcastle University

© 2002-2024 Tutor2u Limited. Company Reg no: 04489574. VAT reg no 816865400.