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Electoral Reform Society: Putting the people in control

Electoral Reform Society logo for press releasesElectoral Reform Society logo for press releases

Tuesday, 26, Feb 2008 12:00

The Electoral Reform Society Scotland are today launching their detailed report into the Scottish Local government elections of 3 May 2007 – the first large-scale public election in living memory to use the new STV system.

The Society’s Chief Executive, Dr Ken Ritchie, commented on the launch:

“The facts and analysis contained in this report all point to one thing – the success of the new STV system in redefining the landscape of Scottish local government.

“Most Scottish councils now have no majority party, because the councillors elected now reflect the votes that the people of Scotland actually cast. Thanks to STV, voters have elected independents in Ayrshire, where before only parties won seats. Likewise in the Highlands supporters of the big parties have been able to see the candidates they backed finally returned.

“The results also show that STV gives voters the power to remove an administration that doesn’t enjoy popular support, as we saw in, for example, Angus, Inverclyde, and East Lothian.

“STV has proved its effectiveness. In the new Scottish local government landscape, ‘no overall control’ means that the people of Scotland are in control.

Download the report here..

ENDS

Notes

• A pdf summary of the report is available at http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/downloads/ScottishLocalGovernmentReportsummary.pdf

• The launch event takes place today, Tuesday 26 February from 17:30 at the Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunks Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR. Please email Angela Macdonald on angela.macdonald@electoral-reform.org.uk if you plan to attend.

• Lewis Baston, the Society's Research Director and principal author of the report, the Society’s Chief Executive Ken Ritchie, Scotland Director Amy Rodger and other colleagues will be available to discuss the report’s findings

• For a hard copy of the report please email Angela Macdonald on angela.macdonald@electoral-reform.org.uk. (Please note that the report is 175 pages.)

• For further information or comment please contact Amy Rodger, Electoral Reform Society Scotland Director on 07960 869018

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