^aDepartment of Politics, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TU, UK E-mail: a.j.taylor@sheffield.ac.uk

Abstract

That democratic governance should be based on an elected majority is a given; more problematic are the counting rules that create majorities. In Britain, the Single-Member Simple Plurality (SMSP) electoral system is often praised for delivering governments based on secure parliamentary majorities. These majorities and executives, which deploy enormous power, are based on a plurality of electoral support. This paper explores the connection between SMSP's counting rules in Westminster elections and the concentration of power in the executive. Despite devolution and a programme of constitutional reform, the concentration of power in the executive, which is central to the Westminster Model, remains and is unlikely to change without electoral reform.