Proportional Representiation in local Scottish Government poll
Holyrood Communications and Brodies commissioned Ipsos Scotland to conduct this research as part of a series of conferences that they are holding on the theme of public services and the local government elections in Scotland in May 2007.
The overwhelming majority of the Scottish public remains unaware of the massive change to the voting system for local government that will affect the 2007 elections -- in just six months time. Seven in ten are unaware, albeit a decline from eight in ten back in spring last year.
Once given a brief summary of the new system of STV, as many said that they would split their preferences across party tickets (or, indeed, independent candidates) rather than confining their preferences to one party. This enhances the prospect of the new system delivering a different balance of power in some of Scotland's 32 local authorities, many of which have traditionally returned majorities of Labour members.
Q1 In 2007 the system of voting for Scotland's councils will be changing to a system of proportional representation. Before today, were you aware of this change?
| 160 | MORI Scotland Policy Monitor Spring 2005 | Oct 2006 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | % | % | 177% |
| Yes | 20 | 29 | +9 |
| No | 80 | 71 | -9 |
Under this new voting system, there will be several Councillors elected in each ward rather than just one, and people will be able to number the candidates in the order that they would like them to be elected. Some may choose to put a number next to candidates from a single party, while others may use their preferences for candidates across different parties
Q2 If you vote in the council elections in 2007, do you think you will use your vote for one party, or will you split your preferences across different parties?
| 160 | 160 | Usually support in local elections | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | Total | Lab | SNP | Lib Dem | Con |
| 160 | % | % | % | % | % |
| Single party | 43 | 46 | 62 | 33 | 54 |
| Different parties | 45 | 43 | 31 | 61 | 35 |
| Don't know | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 11 |
Technical details
A quota sample of 504 adults aged 18+ was interviewed using randomly generated telephone numbers across Scotland. Interviews were conducted by telephone on 27-30 October 2006 and data are weighted by sex age and tenure to match the profile of the population.
