Scotland: ERS report on local government elections
The Electoral Reform Society has issued its report on the Scottish local authority elections: The introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) for Scottish local government was a change long campaigned for by the Electoral Reform Society along with numerous other civic and political groups. We are, on the whole, delighted with the result.
The repercussions of the elections on 3 May are continuing to emerge. There are some points, though, which are already apparent. The elections to Scotland’s local authorities give us a positive story to tell about Scotland’s voters wielding the power of STV for the first time.
It is important to recognise the significance of these Scottish local elections. This was the first time that STV had been used in a large-scale public election on the UK mainland. It was a new system and, to a certain extent, an experiment. This initial report from the Electoral Reform Society aims to present the first findings from that experiment accessibly yet comprehensively. An STV election – particularly this one, being the first – invites further analysis and comment and we will provide that in a comprehensive report in the summer. This initial report, however, contains the key lessons that can be learned from the results of the 3 May local elections. -- Scottish LG report May 2007.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Comments
While is is true for the current generation of electors that this was the first time that STV had been used in a large-scale public election on the UK mainland, it is important to remember that STV had been used previously for public elections in Scotland that covered the whole of Scotland and included all the then registered electorate.
That was in the 1920s, to elect the 38 Scottish Education Authorities. There were four such elections, in 1919, 1922, 1925 and 1928. The boundaries of the 38 Scottish Education Authorities were the same as the boundaries for the then five Burgh Councils and 33 County Councils (Local Authorities).
This may seem a small point but I feel this use of STV in the 1920 across the whole of Scotland should not be forgotten as though it had never happened. However, I have not yet met an elector who remembers voting in the Education Authority elections in the 1920s.
Posted by: EdinburghVoter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.votelaw.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 21, 2007 5:06 PM