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February 26, 2008
Launch of ERS reports into Scottish and English Local Government
New reports from the Electoral Reform Society have pinpointed the growing gulf between local democracy in England and Scotland.
The 2007 Elections in Scotland were the first to be fought under the Single Transferable Vote system. Dr Ken Ritchie the Society’s Chief Executive commented:
“We have a new divide in this country. One country has had dynamism and choice restored to local democracy, and a new playing field for voters. The other features increasingly moribund councils, elections devoid of competition, and complacent one party states. These are places where the voter is simply an afterthought. Make no mistake. The change in the way Scotland votes has transformed the political landscape. It has empowered voters to boot out previously unshakable administrations that simply don’t enjoy popular support. It has given a voice to independents and party candidates in places that were until 2007 no go areas."
“For England ‘business as usual’ means nothing less than democratic apartheid. Second rate elections will continue to mean second rate representation until we see change south of the border.Scotland has shown the way.”
Local Authority Elections in England, Report and Analysis by Gertrud Malmersjo is available for download here
Local Authority Elections in Scotland, Report and Analysis, by Lewis Baston is available for download here. A pdf summary of the report is available here.
Posted by malcolmclark on February 26, 2008
