Improvement Service

The Electoral Reform Society has praised the effectiveness of the STV voting system used in the May 2007 local government elections, stating that it has redefined the political landscape and put the people of Scotland back in control. Speaking at the launch of the Society's detailed report into the elections, which hails STV a success, chief executive Dr Ken Ritchie said: "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."

A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Electoral Reform Society's website at http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/images/dynamicImages/file4de96ddbdb268.pdf.