AO1: The current electoral system works in the interests of two parties. The Westminster elections use the first-past-the-post system and this is unlikely to change. AO2: It operates to the benefit of parties with established support. AO3: We can conclude this point from the vast number of safe seats for the Labour and Conservative parties. AO1: There have been times when just one party, let alone two, have dominated Parliament. From 1979–97 and from 1997–2010 one party had large majorities in the Commons. AO2: We can see that the traditional 'two-party' mould was broken with one party being dominant. AO3: We can conclude that there is not a multi-party system. AO1: The two main parties continue to supply all PMs and they invariably get over 75% share of the vote. AO2: Prime ministers and governments have come from only two parties since 1945 which shows their electoral dominance. AO3: We can reach a verdict that other parties cannot overcome this Westminster dominance. AO1: The established parties have a vast range of resources and organisational power to dominate other parties. AO2: The sheer organisational scope of the two main parties makes it very unlikely that any other party could challenge the Labour or Conservative parties. This operational ability is the most important asset that the two parties have: finance, staff and mass organisational capacity. AO3: This shows that there are systemic issues which maintain the two-party system.

AO1: Out of the last four governments, two have needed the support of other parties to be in office. AO2: The dominance of the two established parties is over. From 2010-15 we had the coalition and after 2017 we had the confidence and supply agreement with the DUP. AO3: We can conclude that the FPTP system is now under strain and cannot guarantee a two-party system – a multi-party system emerges in its wake. AO1: In the devolved regions a multi-party system operates. AO2: The party system is more than just what happens in Westminster. Look to the devolved regions where a multi-party system has been in operation for decades. AO3: This multi-party system we can conclude comes from the different voting systems and grassroot political differences at a regional level. AO1: Other parties have made a significant impact in terms of policy choice, such as the Green Party and UKIP. AO2: When we look at the big issues of the day it is the other parties who forge and decide these – things such as Brexit, Scottish Independence, and the environment are not just the outcome of the Labour and Conservative parties. AO3: We can conclude that, as major policy formulation is not the sole domain of the two parties, it is a multi-party affair. AO1: The SNP is the third largest party in parliament and its success may hamper Labour, from whom it has taken most seats. AO2: The breakthrough of the SNP both at Westminster (where it is the third largest party) and in Scotland (where it dominates Holyrood) shows how a multi-party system is in place. AO3: We can conclude that major constitutional matters such as the possible break-up of the UK cannot be prevented by the two main parties in Westminster.