Memorandum submitted by the Electoral
Reform Society
1. INTRODUCTION
The Electoral Reform Society is a cross-party
membership organisation that seeks to promote improvements to
the democratic process, in particular through the introduction
of fairer voting systems. Since its founding in 1884 it has studied
elections and electoral systems and has not yet discovered or
devised a voting system that provides both broad proportionality
and enhances voter choice to the extent of the Single Transferable
Vote.
2. PUBLIC SUPPORT
FOR DEVOLVED
INSTITUTIONS
The Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly both
enjoy widespread support. In Scotland, support for the Parliament,
which was created after many years of campaigning by the Scottish
Constitutional Convention, has been strong since the Parliament
establishment in 1999. While the Welsh Assembly had a more difficult
birth with only half of those voting in the 1997 referendum supporting
it, support has grown over the years—see table below.
| Constitutional preference in Wales
|
1997 |
1999
|
2001 |
2003
|
| Independence | 14.1
| 9.6 | 12.3 | 13.9
|
| Parliament | 19.6 | 29.9
| 38.8 | 37.8 |
| Assembly | 26.8 | 35.3
| 25.5 | 27.1 |
| No elected body | 39.5 |
25.3 | 24.0 | 21.2
|
(Table from John Osmond Nation Building and the Assembly, in Trench (ed), Has devolution made a difference, Constitution Unit/Imprint Academic, 2004.)
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3. SUPPORT A
CONSEQUENCE OF
REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS
We believe that public support for the devolved institutions
is, at least in part, a consequence of them providing forums in
which all significant opinions in Scotland and Wales have a voice,
making them truly representative of the Scottish and Welsh electorates.
If they had not been elected by broadly proportional voting systems,
we do not believe they would have enjoyed the same support and
respect.
4. STABILITY OF
GOVERNMENT UNDER
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
The use of broadly proportional voting systems has led to
stable, effective administrations.
4.1 Although elections have led to coalition government
in Scotland, this has not hindered the Parliament's ability to
pass legisilation. Government has been strong, both in that it
has been decisive and in that it has enjoyed the support of a
majority of voters. Fears that a small party would hold disproportionate
power have not been realised: Scottish Labour has been able to
implement most of its manifesto, making concessions only where
a clear majority in the Parliament has taken a contrary view.
4.2 Wales has seen both coalition and minority administrations.
As in Scotland, however, this has not impeded the Welsh Executive's
ability to act, other on issues on which there has been determined
opposition by a majority of Assembly Members.
5. PROBLEMS IN
THE USE
OF AMS AND
THEIR POSSIBLE
RESOLUTION
Although the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have
benefited from the use of proportional voting systems, that does
not mean that the use of the Additional Member System has not
been without its problems. In particular, the creation of two
categories of elected members has been a source of friction in
both bodies. We have therefore welcomed the recommendations of:
— the Arbuthnott Commission which has proposed revisions
to AMS and consideration of the use of STV if these revisions
do not overcome the problems inherent in the system; and
— the Richard Commission which has proposed that,
if the powers of the Assembly are increased, the size of the Assembly
should be increased and it should be elected by STV.
6. DEVOLUTION AND
CHANGES IN
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Scottish Parliament has legislated for the introduction
of STV for local government in order to make Scottish councils
more representative and more accountable. While this change was
supported by the Labour leadership in Scotland and a large majority
of Labour MSPs, we doubt that this reform would have happened
if the Parliament had not been elected on a proportional basis.
It also appears possible that, after the 2007 Assembly elections,
the Sunderland Commission's recommendation that local councils
in Wales are made similarly representative and accountable by
the use of STV will be reconsidered.
7. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we have welcomed devolution, not just because
it gives a voice to electors in Scotland and Wales but also because
it has allowed the introduction of more modern forms of democracy.
April 2007
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