Electoral Reform in the UK

http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS Reformed number of seats from 785 to 736 MEPs Britain returns 72 seatsReformed system in 1998, implemented in 1999 European Parliamentary elections use PARTY LIST SYSTEMMainland Britain has 11 regions (N. Ireland is 12th) with groups elected for each region – fairly proportional although constituency sizes not consistent.Party publishes a list and voters can vote for party. ‘Closed list’ system as opposed to ‘open list’ where voters can give a preference did gain criticism.3 elections now 1999, 2004 and 2009.Turn out for EP elections low – under FPTP 36% in 1989 and 1994 but only 23% in 1999 up to 38 % in 2004 so impact of change to system hard to analyseAll parties can choose candidate listAided small parties i.e Greens won 2 seats in 2004 & 2009, UKIP won 12 MEPs in 2004 and 13 in 2009 and nationalists (SNP and Plaid Cymru). In centre Lib Dems do better. 12 seats 2004 only 2 in 1994However slight cut-off point for very small parties due to regional and not a national list i.e 2004 British National Party had 5 % of vote but won no seats as did Respect (anti-war with Iraq party)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7819889.stm

Electoral Reform

The European Parliament (p.101-105)Scottish Parliament & Welsh Assembly (p.105-109)Election for Mayor of London other directly elected

mayors (p.109-113) Northern Ireland Assembly (p.113-114) The Jenkins Report (p.114-115)Council elections in Scot/Wales use STV since 2007.

Confusion to voters? (p.116)House of Lords – reform or not? (p.116)

http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=30

Scottish Parliament & Welsh Assembly

1999 Reforms – AMS (hybrid system) MSP = Member of Scottish Parliament MWA = Member of the Welsh Assembly Two parts FPTP and closed party lists. ‘Split-ticket’ voting 5 regions in Wales and 40 constituencies Scotland = 7 regions and 73 constituencies Impact? Turnout? How did it affect small and large parties? Impact at elections? Coalitions ‘New Politics’ for Scotland and Wales. Scotland moves to ‘left’? Increased female representation

Northern IrelandAssembly Good Friday Agreement 1998 complex constitutional arrangement to

create political system that wasn’t dominated by Unionist majority.Uses STV – try to create representation for two hostile communities

as proportional. Also hoped that transferable vote would go t moderates and not extremists.

Elections in 1998, 2003 and 2007Helped represent smaller groups like the Alliance, the Women’s Coalition and the minor Unionist parties.

But increase in support for extreme parties in 2003 DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and SF (Sinn Fein). Confirmed in 2007. SO STV seemed to have little impact.

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/constmap_res.htm

Electoral Reform

Labour and electoral reform (Neil Kinnock/Blair etc.) Why did Labour want reform? Cons victories 1979-1992.

The Jenkins Report

Why no referendum under Labour on electoral reform?

Using pages 81-84 you need notes on the above issuesAnswer questions 1-7 on page 85.

Electoral Reform

Work to be completed by next lesson

Finished notes and questions from text book.

Notes from the handout on electoral reform – Independent commission, attitudes of Conservatives/Libs/Labour to electoral reform etc. BE READY TO DISCUSS NEXT LESSON

Read , highlight and annotate the article on the 2010 General Election. Again be ready to discuss.