23/06/04 - Local Democracy - Coming to a Council near you
20/06/04 - "Vote for PR" say Scottish electors
24/03/04 - Historic Vote for Democracy
19/03/04 - Fairshare welcomes Committee's conclusions on voting reform
30/01/04 - Fairshare welcomes STV Report
24/11/03 - Democracy for Scottish Local Government
15/05/03 - Victory for Democracy
12/05/03 - STV-PR is a 'done deal'
07/02/03 - Scot Exec Must Stand Firm on STV-PR
06/02/03 - Parliament Set to Vote for PR
03/02/03 - Executive Bill to Include STV-PR
27/01/03 - Parliament Committee sees Voting Reform as Answer to Unrepresentative Councils
19/12/02 - Missed Opportunity for Scotland's Councils
3/12/02 - STV-PR must be top priority for 2003
28/10/02 - STV the Green Option
25/09/02 - Scottish Executive Consultation Shows Overwhelming Backing for STV-PR
24/09/02 - 'Sex and the Single Transferable Vote': Fairshare Launch Community Campaign
19/09/02 - Fairshare Welcome Reports Of STV- PR Agreement
23/07/02 - No More Wasted Votes
15/07/02 - McConnell urged to stand firm
2/07/02 - Only 29 days left to tell Jack
27/06/02 - Ministers should seize chance for Fair Votes
June 02 - McConnell Commits to Fair Votes
21/04/02 - Fairshare gives evidence to Local Government Committee.
27/03/02 - STUC Votes to Open Up Public Life.
27/03/02 - STV-PR: The Next Step.
23/02/02 - McConnell Firm on Need for Fair Votes.
18/12/01 - Executive Embrace Voting Reform.
13/12/01 - PR Due Any Day.
14/11/01 - Three quarters of Scotland's votes did not count and 72% of Labour voters support PR for Local Govt.
29/05/01 - PR Council Election Bill receives Royal Assent.
22/03/01 - Fairshare meetings at spring party conferences.
Local Democracy - Coming to a Council near you
23 June 2004
The Scottish Parliament has decided to make councils
more representative of the communities they are
elected to serve. MSPs today gave overwhelming
support to the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill
that will bring in the STV system of proportional
representation for future council elections in
Scotland.
"This is a great day for local democracy" said
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Fairshare. "Our
MSPs have listened to the electors and agreed to
change the voting system for council elections."
Councillor Burns said, "STV will give us councils that
are properly representative of the communities they
are elected to serve. With STV, parties and other
groups will now win seats broadly in line with their
local support".
"But STV will do more than that", he added. "STV will
give real choice to the electors and restore power to
the voters. Most voters will have a councillor they
helped to elect, a councillor who will be accountable
to them. That will, indeed, renew local democracy."
ENDS
For further information contact Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212, or
Willie Sullivan on 07940 523 842
Notes for Editors
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for local government
elections in Scotland.
- The Local Governance (Scotland) Act will introduce
the Single Transferable Vote system of Proportional
Representation (STV-PR) for the next Council elections
in Scotland, due in May 2007.
- On the motion "That the Parliament agrees that the
Local Governance (Scotland) Bill be passed",
at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 23 June 2004, MSPs voted 96
in favour, to 18 against, with 2 abstentions.
The motion was proposed by Mr Andy Kerr, the Minister
with responsibility for Local Government in the
Scottish Executive.
- An amendment to the motion that called on the
Scottish Executive to bring forward legislation
to decouple elections to Scottish local authorities
from the elections to the Scottish Parliament was
defeated (by 78 votes to 39 votes).
- An Information Pack on STV-PR is available on
request:
info@fairsharevoting.org
"Vote for PR" say Scottish electors
20 June 2004
Scottish electors have two clear messages for their MSPs who will vote on Wednesday to decide how
councils should be elected in future. The electors want the voting system changed to make councils
more representative. And they want their MSPs to vote for this change even when their local
councillors are opposed to it.
These are the findings from a public opinion poll taken just days before the MSPs will debate the
Local Governance (Scotland) Bill. This Bill, introduced by the Scottish Executive, will change the
voting system for councils from first-past-the-post to the single transferable vote system of
proportional representation.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Fairshare, said, "The results of this most recent opinion poll
have confirmed the findings of every opinion poll on this topic during the past four years. The
Scottish people want their local councils made more representative of the communities they are
elected to serve."
"We know some councillors are opposed to this reform, but the electors have given a clear message
for their MSPs. It is the wishes of the voters that should be heeded when the MSPs cast their
votes, not the noise made by some councillors who fear for their seats."
ENDS
For further information contact Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212, or
Willie Sullivan on 07940 523 842
Notes for Editors
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for local government
elections in Scotland.
- The Stage 3 debate on the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill will be held in the chamber of the
Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, 23 June 2004.
- The questions about council elections were commissioned by the Electoral Reform Society and
included in the monthly TNS System Three omnibus Scottish Opinion Survey carried out between 3rd and
9th June 2004. For full details of the survey contact the ERS: Ken Ritchie on 0775 416 5551 or Alex
Folkes on 07984 644 138.
- Support for proportional representation Respondents were asked whether or not they agreed with
the statement: "Making councils more
representative of voters is important because, if a council is dominated by one party, it is less
likely that it will take the decisions which the majority of the voters want." 72% agreed (44% agreed
strongly). Only 9% disagreed.
- Electors' views on councillors' opposition to reform Respondents were asked whether or not they
agreed with the statement: "Members of the Scottish Parliament should vote for the change if they
think it will improve democracy, even if many local councillors in their constituencies are opposed
to the change." 57% agreed. Only 18% disagreed.
Historic Vote for Democracy
24th March 2004
Fairshare campaigners are delighted that the Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly for the
Local Governance (Scotland) Bill.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Fairshare, said, "This is a great day for local democracy. Most
voters in Scotland can now look forward to having a local councillor they voted for. And those
councillors will be really accountable to their local constituents in a way they have never been in
the past. This Bill will give choice - real choice - to the voters."
"Of course, there was some concern that moving to multi-member wards, electing several councillors
together, might weaken local links", said Councillor Burns. "This is understandable. But
experience has shown the reverse happens when STV-PR is used. STV-PR has been used in Ireland for
more than eighty years and all their experience shows stronger links between elected members and
their local constituents."
Andrew Burns also said, "It was sad, but no surprise, that some MSPs voted against this democratic
reform. Some seem just to want their party's councillors to cling onto power, even when they have
the support of less than half the local voters. Others seem determined to give their supporters a
slap in the face and deny their supporters the opportunity to secure representation that our unfair
voting system has blocked for so long."
"But the vote in the Parliament today was in line with the reform that the people of Scotland want.
Opinion polls have repeatedly shown overwhelming support for the democratic benefits STV-PR will
bring. That support is high across all the political parties, including Labour voters and
Conservative voters."
"This reform has been a historic goal for progressive parties for more than a century. Now we are
about to deliver."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- For further information, contact Andrew Burns on 07880 502212
or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842, or James Gilmour on
0845 456 1232 or 07050 083 062
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for STV-PR for local government elections in Scotland.
- The Local Governance (Scotland) Bill will introduce the Single Transferable Vote system of
Proportional Representation (STV-PR) for the next Council elections in Scotland, due in May 2007.
- On the motion "That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Local Governance
(Scotland) Bill", at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 24 March 2004, MSPs voted 95 in favour, to 19 against,
with 6 abstentions. The motion was proposed by Mr Andy Kerr, the Minister with responsibility for
Local Government in the Scottish Executive.
- The Local Government and Transport Committee supported the Bill. The Committee's Stage 1 Report
on the Bill was published on 19 March 2004. Copies of the report are available from the Scottish
Parliament Media Relations Office
here.
- An new Information Pack on STV-PR is available on request: info@fairsharevoting.org
Fairshare welcomes Committee's conclusions on voting reform
19th March 2004
Fairshare welcomes the Stage 1 Report on the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill prepared by the Local
Government and Transport Committee of the Scottish Parliament. In the Report, published today, the
Committee endorses the general principles of the Bill that will introduce STV-PR for future council
elections.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Fairshare, said, "We are very pleased that the Local Government
and Transport Committee has recognised the need to change the way we elect our councillors. The
present situation is indefensible. The use of STV-PR from 2007 will give fair representation of
political parties and independents on all councils across the whole of Scotland."
"But more than that", said Councillor Burns, "the Committee should be commended for recommending
STV. It shows a genuine willingness to share political power with the people of Scotland and to
give electors real choice."
"For the first time, most voters in Scotland will have a councillor they voted for. And those
councillors will be really accountable to their local constituents. With STV-PR, no one need fear
about weakening the local links - they will be strengthened."
Councillor Burns went on to say there were some improvements to the Bill that Fairshare would like
to see. In particular, the Executive should accept the recommendations made by the STV Working
Group in their Interim Report, to allow more flexibility in ward sizes and to include the rules for
drawing ward boundaries in the Bill. "But these are matters for the Stage 2 consideration of the
Bill", he added.
Andrew Burns said, "Today, Fairshare commends this Report to our MSPs. We urge all MSPs, of every
party, to vote in support of this reforming Bill when it is debated in Parliament next Wednesday."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish local
government.
- For further information, contact
Andrew Burns on 07880 502212 or James Gilmour on
0845 456 1232 or 07050 083 062
- The Stage 1 Report from the Local Government and Transport Committee was published on 19 March
2004. Copies of the report are available from the Scottish Parliament Media Relations Office. Click
here to view.
- The Committee News Release highlighting the Committee's main conclusions is available
here.
- The STV Working Party was set up by the Scottish Executive to advise them on the implementation
of STV-PR. Although not due to report until September 2004, they have published an Interim Report
in January "in order to inform Parliamentary consideration of the Bill". The report is available
here.
Fairshare welcomes STV Report
30 January 2004
Fairshare welcomes the recommendations published by the STV Working Group in their Interim Report.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Fairshare, said, "We are especially pleased that the STV Working
Group has recommended more flexibility in ward sizes. With three to five members, and two in
exceptional circumstances, we shall get a much better fit to local communities throughout Scotland.
"This is one of the key points we made in our recent written evidence to the Parliament's Local
Government and Transport Committee. We also made this point to the Scottish Executive when we
commented on their earlier draft of the Local Governance Bill".
Fairshare also supports the Working Group's recommendation that the rules for drawing ward
boundaries should be enshrined in primary legislation. "That way the rules will be fully
scrutinised by Parliament" said Councillor Burns, "and everyone will know what the rules will be
before they agree to change the voting system".
Andrew Burns said, "We welcome both of these recommendations. Now we must make sure that Scottish
Ministers listen to the advice they have been given by the Working Group they set up."
"We shall be listening carefully on Tuesday when the Ministers give oral evidence to the Local
Government and Transport Committee at their next session on the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill",
he added.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- For further information, contact Andrew Burns on 07880 502212
or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842, or James Gilmour on
0845 456 1232 or 07050 083 062
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish local
government.
- The Local Governance (Scotland) Bill is currently at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament. This Bill
will change the voting system from First-Past-The-Post with single-member wards to STV-PR with
multi-member wards. The Bill as introduced by the Scottish Executive provided for wards electing
either three or four councillors. The Bill as introduced, would repeal the current rules for
drawing ward boundaries and provide for new rules to be determined by secondary legislation after
the Bill had been passed.
- The STV Working Party was set up by the Scottish Executive to advise them on the implementation of
STV-PR. Although not due to report until September 2004, they have published this Interim Report
now "in order to inform Parliamentary consideration of the Bill". The report is available
here.
Democracy for Scottish Local Government
24th November 2003
Andrew Burns Chair of Fairshare welcomed the publication of the Scottish Executive's Local
Governance Bill today which sets out reform of the electoral system for Scottish Councils.
He said: "It's great to see Scotland moving to a system of grown-up democracy where the voters have
real choice and a real say. For too long in Scotland the representation given to the people has not
reflected the votes that they cast in Local Government elections. Thankfully this bill sets out to
rectify the situation where one party can have over 90% of the representatives on just 47% of the
votes".
Ends.
- For further information, contact Andrew Burns on 07880 502212 or Willie Sullivan
on 07940 523842
Victory for Democracy
15th May 2003
Fairshare hailed the coalition deal between Labour and the Liberal Democrats as a victory for
democracy in Scotland.
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, said: -
"It is fantastic to see Scotland's government committing to implementing STV-PR for local government
by the next council elections. This is a proud day for electoral reform campaigners.
"Fairshare look forward to working with MSPs to see STV-PR on the statute book as soon as possible."
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish local
government.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
Andrew Burns on 07880 502212 or Willie Sullivan
on 07940 523842
STV-PR is a 'done deal'
12th May 2003
Campaigners for fair votes are in confident mood today, as moves to introduce the Single Transferable
Vote (STV-PR) for local government elections gather pace.
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, said: -
"The coalition negotiations between Labour and the Liberal Democrats look likely to end very soon,
with an agreement to introduce STV-PR a near certain result of the talks.
"And new SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell will introduce a Bill on local government STV-PR to the Scottish
Parliament very soon. This demonstrates just how deep the strength of feeling is in favour of
reform.
"Fair voting for local government is an unfinished piece of business left over from the last
parliament. As well as public support, all the Scottish Executive's own research and consultation
have come down firmly in favour of STV-PR.
"I look forward to seeing STV-PR for Scottish Councils on the statute book in the very near future.
Congratulations to all who are working to make this happen."
ENDS
Notes to editors: -
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish local
government. The Kerley report can be downloaded from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc16/rldw-00.asp
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842.
Scot Exec Must Stand Firm on STV-PR
7th February 2003
Concerns have arisen over possible loopholes in the voting reform section of the Scottish
Executive's draft Local Governance Bill. The wording is such that it could be interpreted
as legislating for the majoritarian Alternative Vote (AV) system, rather than the
proportional Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) system.
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, said: -
"STV-PR has been endorsed by both the experts - the Kerley working group - and the
public - when 94% of respondents to the Scottish Executive's 'Renewing Democracy' consultation
in the summer 2002 specifically advocated STV-PR. It is also the policy of four out of
the six political parties in the Scottish Parliament.
"The Scottish Executive's Bill must be clear about implementing a proportional
system. AV is not at all proportional, it is wholly majoritarian, and the results it
produces distort the views of the electorate even more than First-Past-the-Post.
"This is a draft Bill which has been published in good faith - but the Executive
must ensure that it fills in any loophole that unscrupulous guardians of the status quo
may try to exploit as the legislation progresses."
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842.
- For further details of the different voting systems, or statistics, contact Dr James
Gilmour of the Electoral Reform Society on 0131 667 5222 (from within
Edinburgh) or 0845 456 1232 (from outwith Edinburgh).
Parliament Set to Vote for PR
6th February 2003
The Scottish Parliament this morning debated SNP MSP Tricia Marwick's Member's Bill to
introduce STV-PR for Scottish local government. Lib Dem MSP Iain Smith proposed an
amendment endorsing the Scottish Executive's recently published draft Local Governance Bill.
Voting will take place at Decision Time at five o'clock this evening. Electoral Reform
campaigners are looking forward to a victory either way. Andrew Burns,
the chair of Fairshare, commented: -
"Parliament will endorse either Tricia Marwick's Bill or the Scottish Executive's
draft Local Governance Bill - both of which introduce STV-PR for Scottish Council elections.
"Party-political issues were unfortunately to the fore in today's debate. However,
this evening's vote is what will go down in political history as the day when the Scottish
Parliament voted to introduce PR for local government.
"We are heading towards the inevitable - STV-PR for local government by the 2007
elections. Party differences will not get in the way."
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842.
Executive Bill to Include STV-PR
3rd February 2003
The Scottish Executive is due to publish its Local Governance Bill
tomorrow. This will include a section to change the voting system for
Scottish council elections to the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR).
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, welcomed the news: -
"It is great to see that the introduction of STV-PR is now Scottish
Executive policy.
"The Scottish Executive seem to finally have taken on board the results of
the extensive research and consultation on this subject - including their
own 'Renewing Democracy' consultation in summer 2002, when a staggering 94%
of respondents were in favour of change.
"All that remains now is for the Parliament and the Executive to get on
with implementing this reform as soon as possible."
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842.
Parliament Committee sees Voting Reform as Answer to Unrepresentative Councils
27th January 2003
The Local Government Committee of the Scottish Parliament published its
report on its Phase Two enquiry into the Scottish Executive's Renewing
Democracy White Paper on Friday.
One of the most important issues of this enquiry was that of addressing the
unrepresentative nature of Councils in terms of how well they reflect the
diversity of the communities they serve..
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, commented on
the report: -
"The Local Government Committee have recognised, in their report, that
electoral reform is one of the things that must happen if councils are to
be more representative of communities.
"Yet they go on to state that the committee could not form a consensus on
the subject of electoral reform, and does not recommend reform.
"This stance is staggering. How can the Local Government Committee claim
to be serious about the equalities agenda if it refuses to recommend what
it acknowledges is a necessary measure to tackle the unrepresentative
make-up of Scottish Councils?"
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- The Local Government Committee report is available online here.
- The relevant section of the report reads:
41. The Committee considers that the evidence indicates that, in order to
bring to the body of Scottish councillors an approximation of a
proportional representation of men and women, people from minority ethnic
backgrounds, people with disabilities and people from a range of age
groups, a number of things need to happen:
Electoral reform to bring a more proportional voting system to local
government elections;
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212or Willie Sullivan on 07940 523842.
Missed Opportunity for Scotland's Councils
19th December 2002
The Local Government Committee of the Scottish Parliament today published its Stage One
report on Tricia Marwick MSP's Bill to introduce STV-PR for Scottish local government
elections.
The Committee recommended, by a tight majority, that the general principles be rejected by
the Scottish Parliament.
Andrew Burns, the chair of Fairshare, who gave evidence to
the committee on this Bill, expressed his disappointment at the outcome. He commented: -
"The Local Government Committee have missed, here, the best opportunity they have
had yet, to get STV-PR implemented and inject a healthy dose of real democracy into Scottish
local government.
"On reading the report, though, it does seem that their rejection of this Bill is
based around purely practical objections, all to do with this particular Bill. The analysis
of the principle of reform is very encouraging. The committee seems to want to find a way
of implementing STV-PR - but not, for some reason, using this Bill.
"All the evidence shows a need and a demand for this reform. Jack McConnell and
his Ministers now have to show real leadership, and come up with the goods: legislation to
implement STV-PR, and fast!"
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212.
- The Local Government Committee report is available online here.
STV-PR must be top priority for 2003
3rd December 2002
Fairshare is committed to STV-PR voting reform for Scottish Council elections
being enacted at the very earliest opportunity.
Commenting on the leaked document containing apparent plans for legislation until 2007 (should
the current Scottish governing coalition remain intact), Andrew Burns,
chair of Fairshare, said:
‘We are obviously unclear as to when this document was drafted and how firm the
proposals contained within it are. But according to this leaked document, local government
reform would not be scheduled to take place until summer 2004, a year after the election.
‘Voting reform legislation to implement STV-PR should be a top priority for the
post-election Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive consultation over the summer,
and the Scottish Parliament Local Government Committee evidence that has been heard over
the last few months, should have convinced all parties of that.
‘This reform should be at the top of the new Executive’s agenda. The only other
explanation is that the current Executive thinks that they will already have implemented
voting reform by next May!’
ENDS
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212.
- An analysis of the responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation on the White
Paper 'Renewing Democracy - the Next Steps' is available
here
or alternatively, we can fax you a copy from the Fairshare office.
STV the Green Option
28th October 2002
The Scottish Green Party yesterday adopted the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) as its
preferred system for local government elections.
Ian Baxter is a member of the Fairshare campaign committee, and treasurer of the Scottish
Green Party. He proposed the motion, and commented afterwards:
"The Scottish Green Party has long been aware of the benefits of proportional
representation.
"This motion clarifies Scottish Green Party support for the Single Transferable Vote
for Council elections. The Green Party believe in community - and STV-PR places community
at the heart of the electoral system."
ENDS
- The Green Party motion, as adopted, reads:
"The Scottish Green Party supports the use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV)
method for local elections. Our preference is for multi-member wards which elect larger
numbers of representatives, on the basis of greater proportionality."
- The Scottish Green Party joins the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party,
and the Scottish Socialist Party in formally endorsing both the STV-PR system and
Fairshare's campaign.
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869018,
or Ian Baxter on 07960 011973
Scottish Executive Consultation Shows Overwhelming Backing for STV-PR
25th September 2002
A massive 94% of the responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation on council voting reform were in favour of STV-PR.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare, said:
'The issue of voting reform dominated the responses to the Scottish Executive's 'Renewing
Democracy' White Paper consultation. And 94% of these are demanding STV-PR.
'STV-PR will kick-start the renewal of Scottish local democracy. This reform will give
power to voters, rather than political parties. That is why we in Fairshare are taking the
message about STV-PR out into communities with our new postcard campaign.
'There is an absolutely overwhelming mandate for reform. No-one, and no political party,
can argue with 94%. The consultation responses are from a large range of organisations and
individuals across Scotland.
'The Executive has promised us a Bill by March. But these figures show that we need legislation
NOW - not just a promise that it will happen after next May's elections. I urge the Executive
to act quickly to get this necessary and hugely popular reform onto the statute book.'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018; Willie Sullivan
- 07940 523 842; Andrew Burns - 07880 502212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- Fairshare will be launching their postcard campaign at a party on
Wednesday 25th September 2002, at 6:30pm, at bar 'EH1' on the corner of High Street and
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh.
- Copies of the images used on the postcards, in jpeg format, have been sent to picture
desks. Please let us know if you would like further copies emailed, or if your picture
desk did not receive the images.
- An analysis of the responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation on the White
Paper 'Renewing Democracy - the Next Steps' is available
here
or alternatively, we can fax you a copy from the Fairshare office.
'Sex and the Single Transferable Vote':
Fairshare Launch Community Campaign
24th September 2002
Fairshare is to move the campaign for voting reform for Scottish local government on from
party meetings and gatherings of political hacks, and out into the communities of Scotland.
A series of extremely eye-catching postcards will be unveiled at a launch party on Wednesday evening.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare, said:
'These cards are designed to get the STV-PR message over to communities across Scotland.
Fairshare are campaigning for this reform in order to give voters - all voters - real democratic
power.
'The issue of voting reform is not about the parties and their election campaigns, it is about
the people - the voters. Fairshare has brought people together from across the political
spectrum, from all parties and from none, all committed to fair votes.
'We welcome what Jim Wallace is saying regarding the progress that the Scottish Executive
has made towards implementing STV-PR. The Executive could, of course, simply adopt the Member's
Bill that Tricia Marwick has introduced.
'Whatever they propose, the bill must not simply 'lie dormant' for the remainder of this
parliament, as press reports over the weekend have suggested it might. We see no reason
why a voting reform bill cannot be enacted before the end of this parliament in April 2003.'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018; Willie Sullivan
- 07940 523 842; Andrew Burns - 07880 502212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- Fairshare will be launching their postcard campaign at a party on
Wednesday 25th September 2002, at 6:30pm, at bar 'EH1' on the corner of High Street and
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh.
- Copies of the images used on the postcards, in jpeg format, have been sent to picture
desks. Please let us know if you would like further copies emailed, or if your picture
desk did not receive the images.
Fairshare Welcome Reports Of STV- PR Agreement
19th September 2002
In response to the speculation that STV- PR for Local Government is a done deal, Andrew
Burns, chair of Fairshare, said:
'There appears to be an agreement, and we await its official announcement.'
'This would be a radical and courageous move by Jack McConnell, the First Minister.
'He seems to have taken this decision despite the imminent backlash from vested interests
within Scottish politics. It will now be clear who those politicians are who see power as
theirs by right, rather than something they exercise on behalf of the people. We will know
them by their protests against this democratic reform.'
He added:
'We will, however keep up strong pressure from within the campaign. We see no reason why
any voting reform bill cannot be enacted before the end of this parliament in April 2003.'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018; Willie Sullivan
- 07940 523 842; Andrew Burns - 07880 502212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of
STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
No More Wasted Votes
23rd July 2002
Politicians will today unite across party lines in an historic call for fair votes for local government, as Fairshare
publish their response to the Scottish Executive's White Paper 'Renewing Democracy: the Next Steps'.
Ross Martin, director of the Scottish Forum for Modern Government, a member of Fairshare's campaign committee,
will chair the morning press conference, which will take place (appropriately!) in Glasgow City Chambers. Mr Martin said:
'This debate has been going on for years now. The McIntosh Commission, set up even before the Scottish Parliament,
consulted widely and decided a proportional system of voting choice was needed. The Kerley Working Group then decided that
the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) was the best system. And now the Scottish Executive are consulting again!
'It is time for action. Less delay; better decision making - It is time to end the disgrace of a million wasted votes,
and to start implementing a system that will give each elector the confidence that their own vote will count.
'As many people as possible should respond to the Scottish Executive consultation, and tell them (again) to implement
STV-PR - as soon as possible.
'The Scottish Executive have no excuse - they must implement this reform.'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018; Willie Sullivan - 07940 523 842;
Ross Martin - 07971 906 084
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- 'Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps'
White Paper Summary
Access to the whole document
- The deadline for responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation, 'Renewing Democracy: The Next Steps is 31st July 2002.
Fairshare is encouraging all interested parties to respond. Click here to read Fairshare's own submission (in PDF format)
McConnell urged to stand firm
15th July 2002
The Labour Party have left ample space for Jack McConnell to respond to cross-party and civic demands to reform the
voting system for Scotland's councils - despite the predictable tone of some of the media briefing from Labour Party
advocates of the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system at the weekend.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare and a Labour councillor, commented: -
'The Executive of the Scottish Labour Party does not dictate the Scottish Executive's policy. If it did, there would
have been no reason to embark on a wide consultation exercise across the whole of Scotland about the future of Scottish
local democracy.
'Jack McConnell, at Scottish Labour conference last February, was adamant that policy on this issue would be concerned
with "what is best for Scotland, not just what is best for the Labour Party".
'The Scottish Labour Party Executive have, while making their own views apparent, clearly emphasised that they realise
that this is a decision for the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people.
'In their rejection of list systems, they are in agreement with pro-reform campaigners across Britain.
'The criteria set out in the resolution show clearly that the Scottish Labour Party have accepted that Scottish councils will,
in future, be elected by the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR).'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018 Andrew Burns - 07880 502 212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- 'Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps'
White Paper Summary
Access to the whole document
- The deadline for responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation, 'Renewing Democracy: The Next Steps is 31st July 2002.
Fairshare is encouraging all interested parties to respond.
Only 29 days left to tell Jack…
2nd July 2002
The deadline for responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation, 'Renewing Democracy: The Next Steps is 31st July 2002.
This is only 29 days away.
Fairshare have been encouraging all interested parties to respond.
The most likely option seems to be the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) system to elect
Scotland's councillors. Jack McConnell has admitted that Civil Servants are currently drafting legislation to
implement this reform.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare and a Labour councillor, stated: -
'This is the public's chance to tell Jack McConnell and the Scottish Executive that it wants reform, and quickly.
'The debate has been going on for years now. The McIntosh Commission, set up before the Scottish Parliament even existed,
consulted widely and decided a proportional system was needed. The Kerley Working Group consulted widely and decided that
STV-PR was the best system. And now the Executive are consulting yet again!
'As many people as can do, should respond to this consultation, and tell the Executive to implement STV-PR as soon
as possible.
'The Scottish Executive will have no excuse not to implement this reform'
ENDS
- For further information contact: Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018 Andrew Burns - 07880 502 212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- 'Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps'
White Paper Summary
Access to the whole document
- The deadline for responses to be submitted is 31 July 2002. Any individual or organisation can respond to this consultation,
and we would encourage as many as possible to do so.
Responses can be e-mailed to angela.stewart@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
or posted to:
Angela Stewart
Local Government Constitution and Governance Division
The Scottish Executive
Area 3H, Victoria Quay
Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ
- Jack McConnell said, in a speech to the Scottish Parliament on 30th May 2002:
'In this Bill and in the others I have outlined, a central feature is the critical partnership between this Executive and
local government. In March, we published the
White Paper Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps and the consultation will end in July.
Following publication of the White Paper, this partnership Executive instructed work to prepare the appropriate clauses
which reflect the electoral reform options contained in the White Paper. We have given a firm commitment - which I re-state today
- that we will consider the responses to the consultation. After the summer we will set out our intentions in relation to
legislation and the future governance of local authorities.'
NEWS RELEASE
Ministers should seize chance for Fair Votes
27th June 2002
The SNP MSP Tricia Marwick's bill to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) for Scottish Council elections
has been welcomed by the all-party campaign group Fairshare.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare and a Labour councillor, commented: -
'This simple bill could be on the statute book shortly, if the political parties in the Scottish Parliament
will work together.
'As an all-party campaign group, Fairshare is extremely supportive of Tricia Marwick's efforts to have STV-PR implemented
as soon as possible.
ENDS
- For further information contact:
Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018
Andrew Burns - 07880 502 212
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- Tricia Marwick formally introduced her bill to the Parliament today.
McConnell Commits to Fair Votes
Jack McConnell's re-statement of the Executives commitment to electoral reform has been welcomed by Fairshare, the all-party campaign for the
Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) for Scottish Council elections.
Andrew Burns, chair of Fairshare, commented: -
'We are delighted that Jack McConnell is so adamant on Executive plans to make progress on Electoral Reform.
'The implications of today's statement are clear: reform is coming, and the days of the first-past-the-post system to elect Scotland's
councillors are numbered.
'We can look forward to seeing legislation, which civil servants are already drafting, brought forward in September to introduce STV-PR at the
earliest opportunity.'
ENDS
· For further information contact:
Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018
Willie Sullivan - 07940 523 842
Andrew Burns - 07880 502 212
· Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
· Extract from First Minister Jack McConnell's speech to MSPs this morning:
'In this Bill and in the others I have outlined, a central feature is the critical partnership between this Executive and local government.
In March, we published the White Paper "Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps" and the consultation will end in July.
Following publication of the White Paper, this partnership Executive instructed work to prepare the appropriate clauses which reflect the
electoral reform options contained in the White Paper. We have given a firm commitment - which I re-state today - that we will consider the
responses to the consultation. After the summer we will set out our intentions in relation to legislation and the future governance of local
authorities.'
On Tuesday, 21st May, Fairshare gave evidence to the Local Government Committee on the White Paper 'Renewing Local Democracy - the Next Steps'
Please click here to read Fairshare's evidence.
The submission is a PDF file. In order to view this document, you will need a PDF file viewer such as 'Acrobat Reader'. This software can be
downloaded free of charge from the Adobe Systems website.
STUC Votes to Open Up Public Life
16th April 2002
The STUC today stated its commitment to increasing the involvement of ethnic minorities and people from varying cultural traditions in
public life in Scotland.
Fair Votes campaigners welcomed the motion, which was passed unanimously by the conference.
Amy Rodger is the coordinator of Fairshare, the all-party campaign group for the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) for Scottish local
government. She commented:-
"Widening access was a key factor in the Kerley report on reforming local government. That committee recommended the STV system (STV-PR)
to elect Scotland's councillors.
"STV-PR will remove the institutionalised discrimination of First-Past-the-Post (FPTP). Under STV-PR there is a positive incentive for
every party to ensure its team of candidates maximises its appeal to everyone in that ward.
"Every party, therefore, has an incentive to include in its team one or more candidates from the different ethnic communities and cultural
traditions in the ward.
"STV-PR provides the practical means for putting the widening access policy into effect."
ENDS
For further information, contact Amy Rodger on 07960 869 018
STV-PR: The Next Step
Date: 27th March 2002
Fairshare, the all-party campaign for the Single Transferable Vote for Scottish Council elections, gave a warm welcome to the Scottish
Executive document 'Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps', which was launched today.
Andrew Burns, a Labour Councillor himself, and chair of Fairshare, said:-
'The Executive has used the recommendations of the Kerley report, including the use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV-PR) to elect
councillors, as the basis for the reforms proposed in this consultation document.
'The implementation of fair votes for council elections is a reform that will go to the heart of all our communities. STV-PR will enable
local government to reconnect with the people it serves by keeping whole communities together, and strengthening their link with their
chosen councillor.
'Fairshare would therefore like to encourage as many people as possible - organisations and individuals - to respond positively to this
White Paper, to ensure that their voices are heard loud and clear.
'We would be glad to assist anyone who would like help in making a response to the Executive's consultation.
'The process of change has now begun in earnest. The status quo is not an option.'
ENDS
- For further information contact:
Amy Rodger - 07960 869 018 Willie Sullivan - 07940 523 842 Andrew Burns - 07880 502 212
- Click here
for The Scottish Executive's White Paper: "Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps"
- Fairshare is the all-party campaign for the Kerley recommendation of STV-PR for Scottish council elections.
- Please feel free to publish Fairshare contact details as shown here.
McConnell Firm on Need for Fair Votes
Date: 23rd February 2002
Jack McConnell's speech to Scottish Labour conference today discarded the status quo as an option.
The First Minister envisioned a local government election system designed not 'to help the smaller parties cope with their failure at the
ballot box', but neither 'just to suit the Labour Party'.
He also stated, in stark terms, 'Conference, we only lose seats when we can't win votes.'
The First Minister echoed the sentiments of campaigners. Willie Sullivan, from Fairshare and the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, said:
'Voting reform for council elections is about giving power back to communities, back to the people of Scotland. As First Minister,
Jack McConnell realises that it is the people of Scotland who are his first priority.
'He talked about transparency. The Single Transferable Vote system is transparent, fair, and easy to understand. The people, not the
parties, decide who gets elected. Councillors will achieve a new level of legitimacy among those they represent.
'Communities are kept together: Jack McConnell is anxious to see that links between councillors and those they represent are
maintained, and STV will achieve this.
'There is a mood for change. Reform is inevitable.'
ENDS
Fairshare are the all-party campaign to implement the Kerley recommendation of STV for council elections in Scotland. For further
information, contact:
Willie Sullivan: - 07940 523 842 Amy Rodger:
- 07960 869 018
Executive Embrace Voting Reform
18th December 2001
The Scottish Executive will forge ahead with plans to introduce proportional representation for local government elections.
Reports of the contents of today's Scottish Executive statement on local government reform received a warm welcome from the cross-party
Fairshare campaign.
Chair of Fairshare, Andrew Burns commented:
"It is great to see, finally, the Executive coming up with concrete proposals for implementing proportional representation for local
government elections.
"This is a significant move in the right direction on an important Executive commitment.
"Fairshare welcome the inclusive approach which seems to be being taken: our campaign involves Trade Unions, the voluntary sector,
and many individuals, as well as political parties.
"We hope, therefore, that the consultation process is meaningful and productive, rather than going over the same old questions again and
again. MacIntosh and Kerley consulted widely, and came up with a clear plan for what Scotland needs: the Single Transferable Vote to elect
our councillors.
"It is now up to those, like us, who support the reform and renewal of local democracy to make the case for change.
Fairshare look forward to fair votes legislation, based on the Kerley report, being in place before May 2003"
ENDS
-
Text of Statement by Scottish Executive
The next steps for PR in local government have been announced by the Scottish Executive. The proposals, below, form an agreement
between the First Minister and Deputy First Minister that have been accepted by their respective party groups and endorsed by the Cabinet
this afternoon.
- Agreement on taking forward the recommendations of the Kerley
Committee
BACKGROUND
The Partnership Agreement between Labour and the Liberal Democrats in 1999 stated that following the publication of the final McIntosh
Commission report the Scottish Executive would bring forward a programme of change including progress on electoral reform.
To meet that commitment in 1999 the Scottish Executive appointed the Kerley Committee. It was given a specific remit to advise on the
most appropriate system of election for councils, taking account of proportionality and the councillor-ward link (amongst other criteria).
The Kerley Report into Renewing Local Democracy was published in June 2000. Following its publication the Scottish Executive established
the Ministerial Working Group on Renewing Local Democracy to consider the Kerley recommendations. In the second Programme for Government,
published earlier this year the Executive stated: We are committed to continuing to make progress on electoral reform and the wider
modernisation of local government.
In September 2001 the then First Minister made clear that the Kerley principles will be at the heart of our modernisation of local government.
In November the new First Minister repeated that commitment.
Since Jack McConnell was elected First Minister the Ministerial Working Group on Renewing Local Democracy has met three times and has agreed
this timetable for the next steps in taking forward decisions in relation to the Kerley recommendations. In line with the commitment made
in November, that timetable is today being put before both partnership backbench groups.
The First Minister has made clear his intention for the Labour Party to conduct its own internal consultation process on governance and
electoral reform in local government, to run alongside the early part of the process detailed overleaf.
TIMETABLE FOR THE NEXT STEPS
Today we are setting out a timetable for the next steps to take forward the principles of Kerley, as detailed below:
Before the Parliaments Easter Recess, the publication of a White Paper on the future of local government based on the principles of Kerley
including future governance, councillors allowances and options for electoral reform. This will be followed by a consultation period
lasting 4 months.
Following publication of the White Paper the Executive will instruct the drafting of appropriate clauses to reflect the options contained
in the White Paper.
During the summer the Executive will analyse the results of the consultation on the White Paper, and prepare its response, in consultation
with the Labour and Liberal Democrat backbench groups.
Shortly after Parliament reconvenes in September 2002 the Executive will set out the next steps in relation to legislation and the future
governance of Councils.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister intend to ensure that this debate will be set in the context of renewing and supporting local
government as a vital part of our democratic system. They will emphasise the crucial role of local elected Councillors.
PR Due Any Day
13th December 2001
Tuesday evening should see the publication of the timetable to introduce proportional representation for Scottish local government elections.
In order to secure their votes for the election of First Minister in the Scottish Parliament at the end of last month, First Minister Jack
McConnell promised the Liberal Democrat MSPs a timetable for electoral reform for local government by Christmas. This Tuesday (18th December)
sees the final group meeting of the Lib Dem MSPs before the Christmas parliamentary recess - and therefore Jack McConnell's last chance
to deliver on his pledge.
Andrew Burns, chair of the cross-party Fairshare campaign, said:
"Jack McConnell committed himself to 'a timetable by Christmas' for electoral reform. Following this commitment, we expect him to tell the
Liberal Democrat MSPs, and the rest of the country, exactly when he intends to legislate to reform the local government electoral system.
"McConnell has also said he will stand by the pledge made by his predecessors as First Minister to accept the principles of the Kerley report.
This report recommended the Single Tranferable Vote as the best system for Scottish local government elections: Jack McConnell should recognise
that and act accordingly.
"There is no reason why proportional representation cannot be implemented for the next local government elections, now the Executive is
legislating to delay them until 2003."
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
| 1. |
Jack McConnell MSP met with the Liberal Democrat MSPs on Tuesday 20th November. Following that meeting, he issued the following statement:
"I was pleased to accept the invitation to speak to the Lib Dem group. As Education Minister I have been working closely with Nicol
Stephen, and I know how well our coalition is working to serve the people of Scotland.
'The thing that most closely binds us is a shared commitment to improve the public services we deliver. This was the driving force behind
our partnership agreement and subsequent Programmes for Government. It is why the Scottish Executive is spending record sums on the
things that matter, especially the education of our children and the health service.
'Our priorities are the same as those of all Scots - creating better schools and hospitals, fighting crime, giving our older people
dignity and respect, improving the transport system. With Jim, I want to lead an administration which serves the people of Scotland and
has their best interests as its driving force, to ensure we live in a country where opportunity is available to all, whatever their
circumstances. I know the Lib Dems share this aspiration.'
'Democracy and the way it is delivered through electoral systems will always be bigger than any single political party.
'Donald Dewar and Henry McLeish accepted the principles of reform as outlined by Kerley, and particularly the challenge of making local
government better reflect the communities that it serves. I will stand by their pledge.
'I believe that a link should be retained between communities and those they elect, but I am not bound to the current system of local
authority elections.
'Reform of the existing arrangements should take place with general consent and wide support.
'Labour and the Lib Dems remain firmly committed to progress on electoral reform, and my job is to make sure that progress is made and
seen to be made. I am clear that the next steps should be taken with urgency, and I will make it a priority to deliver a timetable for
those next steps.'
|
| 2. |
Jim Wallace MSP, Deputy First Minister and leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, also issued a statement, as follows:
"Let me make it clear at the outset that the Liberal Democrat Group has unanimously decided to back Jack McConnell in the vote on
Thursday. We and the Labour Party have an agreed Programme for Government, and we are committed to delivering that programme for the
people of Scotland.
"This evening we had a good-natured and lively discussion, which ranged across a number of important issues, such as how we can continue
to work together to deliver better public services - such as health, education, justice, environment.
"Implementing PR for Local Government is a very important issue for Liberal Democrats. We recognise that there are different opinions
about it within the Labour Party. What we wanted to know was how Jack intends to follow through the Executive's commitment to make progress
on this issue. He has agreed with us that it is a priority to deliver a timetable by Christmas for further progress to be made.
"We welcome Jack's commitment to address the problems inherent in the current electoral system. His challenge now is to deliver on that
commitment, and resolve this issue promptly. We owe it to the people of Scotland to deliver the open, transparent and accountable government
they rightly expect."
|
| 3. |
The Kerley Report (The Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group) can be found at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc16/rldw-00.asp.
|
| 4. |
For further information call Councillor Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212
|
Three quarters of Scotland's votes did not count and 72% of Labour voters support PR for Local Govt.
14th November 2001
Three quarters of Scotland's votes did not count. This startling conclusion was announced by Dr Ken Ritchie, Chief Executive of the
Electoral Reform Society, speaking earlier today at a presentation organised by Fairshare - Scotland's Campaign for Local Democracy.
Dr Ritchie used the results from the recent UK General Election to show just how the first-past-the-post-voting system fails the voters.
Three-quarters of the votes had little or no effect on the result. More than half of those voted in Scotland (51%) were denied
representation by an MP of their choice. And the seats won by the parties, both in Scotland and across the UK, did not reflect the
wishes of the voters. Half of Scotland's 72 MPs were elected as minority members - more electors voted against them than voted for them.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of the Fairshare Campaign, said: "These results are alarming and extremely depressing for anyone who is a
democrat. Sadly we see the same patterns in our council elections. We must reform the voting system before it does more damage to our
democracy. Proposals to change the voting system for future council elections in Scotland are on the table. We must grasp this opportunity
for democratic reform."
Fairshare is an all-party, non-party coalition, campaigning to ensure the implementation of the recommendation of the Kerley Working Group
that the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system of proportional representation should be used for future council elections in Scotland.
The report of the Working Group has been with the Scottish Executive for some months now, but no announcement has yet been made about
implementing its various recommendations.
"We must keep up the pressure for a positive response on voting reform and it strikes me that any new First Minister has an ideal
opportunity, over this issue, to prove where their priorities lie - with the party of with the voter? ", said Councillor Burns.
Ken Ritchie said the defects of the voting system were having a bad effect on voter participation. "Turnout in the 100 safest seats
in Great Britain was, on average, 10% lower than in the 100 most marginal constituencies. It should be no surprise that so many electors
stay at home when their votes don't count", he said.
Andrew Burns acknowledged that there is opposition among MSPs and councillors to the Kerley recommendation of STV. But drawing on the
results of a System 3 opinion poll last year, he said, "It is the MSPs and councillors opposed to this reform who are out of step with
their own parties' supporters. For both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, 72% of their voters want PR for future council elections".
ENDS
| For further information call: | | Councillor Andrew Burns on 07880 502 212 |
| or | | Dr. Ken Ritchie on 0771 417 8440 |
PR Council Election Bill receives Royal Assent
29th May 2001
Earlier this morning Royal Assent was given to a Bill to allow local Councils to use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system of
Proportional Representation (PR) for future elections.
Welcoming this announcement, Councillor Andrew Burns, Chair of Scotland's Fairshare Campaign said, "This is a great achievement
for our fellow reformers in New Zealand and we congratulate them on their successful campaign. It gives us great encouragement
for our campaign here in Scotland where we also want to change to STV to revitalise local democracy.
"The need to change the way councils are elected is every bit as great in Scotland as it is in New Zealand. We must press the
Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament to implement the recommendation of the Kerley Working Group that STV should be used
for future council elections.
"The New Zealand Parliament, like the Scottish Parliament, is elected by the Additional Member System (AMS) of proportional
representation, but it has chosen STV for local council elections. STV is the system of PR that gives voters most choice and
creates the strongest links of local accountability. These are especially important if we are to ensure councillors are truly
representative of the communities they are elected to serve."
In their last review of the Bill, the Justice and Electoral Committee of the New Zealand House of Representatives considered that
STV would provide for fairer and more diverse representation, with greater opportunities for representation of Maori and ethnic
groups, and other minority groups. "That chimes well with the Kerley recommendations on widening access and making local councils
more inclusive", said Councillor Burns. "With STV we shall have the means to give practical effect to those important recommendations."
In the UK, STV has been used for local council elections in Northern Ireland since 1973, so all the legislation, rules and
regulations have already been worked out. The system has been well tried and tested and is well understood by political
parties and electorate alike. It has ensured fair and balanced representation across very diverse communities. In Scotland,
STV is already used by Stirling Council for all Community Council elections in their area.
ENDS
For further information call:
Andrew Burns on 0131 529 3287 or 07880 502 212
or
James Gilmour on 0131 667 5222 or 07050 083 062
Fairshare meetings at spring party conferences
22nd March 2001
Fairshare took its message of PR for local government to the Scottish political parties in
March with fringe events at the SNP Spring Council in Glasgow and the Scottish Labour Party Conference in Inverness.
The Fairshare reception at the SNP Council was well attended and was addressed by the SNP's Local Government spokesman,
Kenneth Gibson MSP. SNP activists had the opportunity to meet members of the Fairshare team and to sign up and support
the campaign.
The fringe meeting at Scottish Labour Party Conference was timely, coming at the peak of the Scottish Executive's defeat
over fishing. This provided the panel with a good opportunity to respond to those who had blamed the Executive's defeat
upon coalition politics and proportional representation.
The meeting was addressed by John McAllion MSP MP, Rosemary McKenna MP, Edinburgh Councillor and acting Chair of Fairshare
Andrew Burns, and Ross Martin, the Director of the Scottish Forum for Modern Government, and was attended by Labour members
from all sections of the Party - electoral reformers, dyed-in-the-wool First-Past-the-Posters and agnostics. Peter Peacock
MSP (Deputy Minister for Local Government) and Matt Smith (Scottish Secretary of Unison) were also in the audience. This
made for a lively debate.
John McAllion argued that PR was an issue that had a breadth of support in the Labour Party - indicating that it was not
often that he and Rosemary McKenna shared a platform. He went on to make the case that the current electoral system is not
in Labour's interest, outlining how only a handful of votes would swing control of Dundee to the SNP and how this could
occur in many Labour controlled councils. He stated that PR empowers voters, by giving them what they want, and empowers
political parties to get out and compete for votes in every area.
Rosemary McKenna spoke from her experience as a councillor and council leader and commented that she had been on hung
councils, councils with large majorities and those with small majorities - and she knew which she preferred - councils
with a strong opposition. This would be ensured with PR. She also claimed that the Labour Party have nothing to fear from
multi-member wards - she indicated how well they had worked in Scotland before 1974, how they continue to work well in
England and how she believed that they make councillors work harder and be more responsive.
Andrew Burns concluded the speeches by arguing that there are three key issues that should lead Labour to PR for local
government. Firstly, councils are primarily not legislators, but service providers. There is no reason why councils that
co-operate and work together should provide worse services. Secondly, STV will not weaken the member-ward link. In Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland it has in fact strengthened the link. Thirdly, polling has demonstrated that 72% of
Labour voters support PR for local government in Scotland. Andrew warned the meeting that the Labour Party would ignore
this fact at its peril.
The following debate included questions from electoral reformers and those opposed to electoral reform. It was conducted
in a constructive manner and gives the Fairshare campaign hope for the ongoing debate within the Labour Party.
|
