END TO SINGLE PARTY LEADS TO WEAK GOVERNMENT DOMINANCE It could be argued that because single STV elections make it difficult for party majorities are less likely, one party to gain an overall majority. governments are weaker under STV. This has ended the Labour Party’s Coalitions and minority governments dominance of local politics in are more likely meaning that it is Scotland. arguably harder to make positive changes quickly. In addition, conflicts In 1999 when STV was still used in between the different political Scottish local government elections, groupings are more common. Labour controlled 19 of the 32 councils in Scotland. In 2015, Labour A 2013 Audit Scotland Report into very councils are controlled by a Aberdeen City Council found that single party. political feuds and infighting were preventing real progress from being made, with opposition councillors being “regularly disrespectful” to each other. The Council currently has a “rainbow coalition” of Labour, Tory and Independent councillors. Under a FPTP system this kind of coalition would be highly unlikely.
END TO SINGLE PARTY DOMINANCE STV elections make it difficult for one party to gain an overall majority. This has ended the Labour Party’s dominance of local politics in Scotland. In 1999 when STV was still used in Scottish local government elections, Labour controlled 19 of the 32 councils in Scotland. In 2015, Labour very councils are controlled by a single party. LEADS TO WEAK GOVERNMENT It could be argued that because single party majorities are less likely, governments are weaker under STV. Coalitions and minority governments are more likely meaning that it is arguably harder to make positive changes quickly. In addition, conflicts between the different political groupings are more common. A 2013 Audit Scotland Report into Aberdeen City Council found that political feuds and infighting were preventing real progress from being made, with opposition councillors being “regularly disrespectful” to each other. The Council currently has a “rainbow coalition” of Labour, Tory and Independent councillors. Under a FPTP system this kind of coalition would be highly unlikely.