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October 23, 2006
The Scottish Perspective
For all the talk about STV and its many benefits, it is not often that we actually get the chance to see it in operation, lumbered as we are in the UK with FPTP and various other systems of questionable merit. However change is in the air. In the coming months, nowhere are the consequences of change likely to be of more interest than in Scotland where STV gets its first serious run-out in the local authority elections in May 2007. (Those of a more anorakish tendency may wish to jump in at this juncture and remind me that STV has in fact a strong track record in Scotland, utilised as it was for Education Authority elections between 1918 and 1929. To those who fall into this category, congratulations! Take a Werther’s Original and proceed to the top of the class).
Not wishing to miss the party, the Electoral Reform Society has recently opened a spanking new Edinburgh office. At the top of the “to do list” is voter education, with maximising participation a close second. At present we number only two, myself as Scottish Youth and Campaigns Officer and Amy Rodger, the Scottish Campaign Co-Ordinator. However, as momentum gathers we’ll be taking on more staff and aiming to ensure that the implementation of STV runs as smoothly as possible and all come to appreciate its appeal.
From this point on we hope to be able to offer some searing insight from North of the border, with tales of political shenanigans from Benbecula to Berwick. How will the political parties cope with change? Will STV deliver the much craved fairness and proportionality? Scotland staff will be registering their thoughts, insights and observations on this site whenever they can be bloggered, so for the tartan political analysis and much more besides, watch this site for future posts.
Posted by davidorr on October 23, 2006
Comments
Welcome on board. I think for readers south of the border, you might have to start doing some local geography lessons; or at least linking to maps and the like. I have no idea where Benbecula is, but it sounds like it should have great Halloween parties there ... I imagine it to be the setting for a Scottish Dracula or similar.
Posted by: Malcolm Clark at October 23, 2006 05:57 PM
I think Parties which have been out of power for decades in certain areas (eg Conservatives in Lanarkshire, and Labour in rural Highlands) will love it, as it will generate some grass roots interest.
Give it time, and the people will want it for MSP and MP elections. Scotland could be the Trojan Horse for STV for the UK!
Posted by: Andrew Kitching at October 25, 2006 05:32 PM
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