1. STV

2. Today we will: Look at the impact of STV and the 2007 Scottish council elections. You will be successful if you can: Describe, in detail, at least 2 consequences of STV in Scotland.

3. Principles of STV A majority of voters deserves a majority of representation. Seats should fairly reflect votes cast. As many people as possible should have their vote count toward representation.

4. STV in action Voters RANK their candidates in order of preference. Idea is that everyone will get representation by someone they voted for. Seats won should much more closely reflect the number of votes won.

5. STV in action Much less likely to get a ONE PARTY victory like you would under FPTP. Result is that COALITION control is VERY likely

6. Scottish Council elections 2007

7. Scottish councils & elections before 2007 Turnout traditionally LOW for council elections. As low as 12% some places. LABOUR had dominated local councils. Many argued that FPTP gave Labour a massive advantage. Many councillors were old and little “new blood” coming through.

8. 2007 elections Run on same day as S.P. elections The voting process was a disaster! The number of spoiled papers was massive. That was not the most notable outcome however…

9. 2007 Scottish council election results MAJORITY administrations became a thing of the past. Only FIVE authorities had single party MINORITY administrations. The other 27 became coalitions. LABOUR were no longer the biggest party in Scottish local councils – the SNP became the biggest party.

10. COALITION administration was the new order of the day. A big change. Many coalitions were formed to exclude Labour (except in East Dunbartonshire where Lab & Cons combined to keep SNP out!!) Green party won some control too. A whole new politics was in existence: co- operation and compromise now required. 2007 Scottish council election results

11. New breed of councillors Many “older” Councillors stepped aside and accepted redundancy packages. New younger councillors were elected, particularly in Aberdeen council. HOWEVER, there were no great advances in the numbers of WOMEN councillors or those from ETHNIC backgrounds – up to the parties to change this.

12. Deputy Lord Provost of Aberdeen, John West (18) Aberdeen Councillor Callum McCaig (22)

13. Task Are you comfortable with STV? Read the section in the Modern politics textbook on STV and council elections, taking notes as you go. What are you not sure about? Take a note of any questions you have and please ask me!