Chapter 5 · Government & Law

General Elections and First Past The Post

Source: Handbook p.78

General Elections are held at least every five years. MPs are elected through 'first past the post' — in each constituency, the candidate with the most votes wins. The government is usually formed by the party winning the majority of constituencies; if no party wins a majority, two parties may join to form a coalition. If an MP dies or resigns, a by-election is held in that constituency. The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928.

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