The Single Transferable Vote

What is the Single Transferable Vote? The Single Transferable Vote is used for Scottish Local Council elections Elections for Scottish local councils take place every 4 or 5 years depending on other elections It is a Proportional Representation voting system It was introduced by the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition - Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 Replaced FPTP for local council elections in 2007

STV Under STV, local authority areas are divided up into wards and each area has several councillors representing it. In Aberdeenshire Council for example there are: 19 wards 68 local councillors Banff and District has 3

STV process explained Watch the video to understand the formula behind the STV system and think about how it makes it a fairer way to elect those who represent us in local councils. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLH_w5kHJpA

Net gain/loss compared with 2003 elections Political Party Number of Councillors Net gain/loss compared with 2003 elections Scottish National Party 363 +182 Scottish Labour 348 -161 Scottish Liberal Democrats 166 -9 Scottish Conservatives 143 +21 Scottish Green 8 +8 Scottish Socialists 1 -1 Solidarity +1 Total: 1,222 “After the change of electoral system, the SNP were big losers in the 2007 local council elections. Scottish Liberal Democrats lost the least number of councillors.” (View of Ann McDermott) Using the 2007 local election results, give two reasons why Ann McDermott could be accused of exaggeration.

Advantages Disadvantages STV breaks the direct link between voters and councillors as people no longer have one councillor for their ward. Under STV people have three or four councillors for a large, multi-member ward. There has been an increase in the number of councils with no overall control. This may weaken the power of local councils and make it difficult to get things passed if there is not agreement among the parties. For example, there is no one party in control in Aberdeenshire council. It is complicated and unfamiliar to voters – as voters have to rank their choices instead of putting a cross against one candidate. This may lead to “donkey voting” where voters vote for candidates in the order they appear on the ballot. It produces a more proportional result. In the 2014 Scottish local council elections Labour won 31.4% of the vote and won 32.2% of the seats. It reduces confrontation in politics − as parties have to work together in the councils. Aberdeenshire Council is run by a coalition with the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservative and independents. Only parties, or coalition of parties, who have more than 50% of the vote can win therefore it leads to strong governing of councils.

Questions Explain, in detail, three reasons why STV could be considered a fairer way of electing representatives. 8 marks Now peer mark your partner’s answer by ensuring they have used PEEA x3 Give two stars and a wish!

Group Task https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FvGK7j56BQ Using the knowledge you have learned include the following in an ‘STV explained’ youtube video. When STV was introduced When STV system is used How the system works Advantages and disadvantages of the system Or make a poster which summarises advantages and disadvantages of STV.