28 November 2003
The Scottish Executive is to press ahead with controversial plans to reform the voting system for council elections, bringing the threat of a Labour rebellion and strong opposition from local government.
Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr this week announced the introduction of the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill, which paves the way for the single transferable vote (STV) system of proportional representation in council elections.
There was immediate criticism from the Labour-led Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and opposition from Labour MSPs, who fear that hundreds of Labour councillors could be swept away.
Cosla president Pat Watters, a Labour councillor, voiced his 'extreme disappointment'. He described the proposals as a 'slap in the face' for the vast majority of councils and councillors who were against replacing the existing first-past-the-post system with STV.
He pointed out that if the Executive's plans were approved, it would result in four different electoral systems being in operation in the UK.
The PR pledge was one of the main commitments given in the partnership agreement struck between Labour and their Liberal Democrat partners in the Scottish Executive after the elections last May.
STV, which is likely to be introduced at the next council elections in 2007 if the proposals are endorsed by the Scottish Parliament, would result in the creation of multi-member council wards, represented by either three or four councillors. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference.
Liberal Democrats have warned that, if the proposals do not go ahead, the existing coalition could fall.
Helen Eadie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, said the legislation was an example of the 'tail wagging the dog'. She claimed it was about one of the smallest parties in the Parliament wanting the power to force through their own schemes.
Kerr said the Bill was a major milestone in driving forward the Executive's renewing local democracy agenda.
The Bill also aims to introduce a new system of paying councillors. An independent remuneration committee is being set up to consider and advise on ways of replacing the existing allowances paid to councillors.
It will also be asked to consider pension arrangements and a one-off severance scheme for councillors choosing to stand down at the next election.
The Bill proposes to reduce the age for standing at local elections from 21 to 18 and remove unnecessary political restrictions on council employees standing for local authority elections.<
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