Today, Minister for the Constitution and Devolution
has
announced measures to apply the tried and tested system of
First Past the Post to the election of council and ‘metro’
mayors across England, and to Police and Crime
Commissioners across England and Wales.
In this May’s London Mayoral elections, the Supplementary
Vote system saw hundreds of thousands void, wasted or blank
votes cast, reflecting voter confusion and the complex
system. Supplementary Vote also means that a ‘loser’
candidate can win on second preferences. In 1931, Winston
Churchill described transferable voting as “the decision is
to be determined by the most worthless votes given for the
most worthless candidates.”
First Past the Post is the world’s most widely used
electoral system. The change to First Past the Post will
further strengthen the accountability of elected mayors and
PCCs to their electorate, making it easier for voters to
express a clear choice. The person chosen to represent a
local area should be the one who directly receives the most
votes.
, Minister
for the Constitution, said:
Britain’s long-standing national electoral system of
First Past the Post ensures clearer accountability, and
allows voters to kick out the politicians who don’t
deliver. First Past the Post is fair and simple – the
person with the most votes wins.
,
Minister for Policing, said:
We are strengthening the accountability and role of
Police and Crime Commissioners, to help cut crime and
deliver on the people’s priorities.
, Minister
for Local Government, said:
Elected mayors can provide strong leadership, and must be
held to account at the ballot box. The supplementary vote
is an anomaly which confuses the public and is out of
step with other elections in England, both local and
national. Moving to First Past the Post will make it
easier for voters to express a clear choice.
The government will be bringing forward amendments to the
Elections Bill to deliver these changes.
The changes will be implemented for the election of
combined authority ‘metro’ mayors, the Greater London
Authority mayor, elected council mayors, across England;
and Police and Crime Commissioners across England &
Wales.
