AS EASY AS 1,2,3?

This year sees the introduction of yet another change to the Scottish electoral system, with the adoption of the Single Transferable Vote version of proportional representation for our local government elections.  This means that on 3rd May, we will be asked to elect representatives to the Scottish Parliament and our local councils using no less than three different electoral systems.

By now, we have become familiar with the two vote system for the Scottish Parliament � one vote for a local MSP under the First-Past-The-Post system where the candidate with the most votes wins, and a second vote for regional MSPs under an Additional Member system where votes for the parties transfer into a proportionate number of seats.

The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is a different beast altogether.  Instead of the traditional cross in the box, voters will be asked to rank their choice of candidates in order to preference � 1,2,3, etc.  Gone will be the days of having a single local councillor and instead local government wards will be represented by 3 or 4 councillors elected under the STV system.  The method of counting the votes will be complex, but one thing is for sure: it will result in the biggest shake up in the political control of Scottish councils in a very long time.  Coalitions and consensus will become commonplace, and this may present new opportunities to Chambers of Commerce in terms of joint working.

Full details of how Scotland�s new electoral systems work can be found at www.votescotland.com

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