Arbuthnott Report
Issued by the Scotland Office on behalf of the Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems
19 January 2006
ARBUTHNOTT COMMISSION REPORT PUTS CITIZENS FIRST
The Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems (the Arbuthnott Commission) today published its report, "Putting Citizens First: Boundaries, Voting and Representation in Scotland".
The report is a result of an 18 month inquiry by this independent commission, which was established by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Darling, to consider the consequences of having four separate voting systems for elections in Scotland and also different boundaries for Holyrood and Westminster constituencies.
Its recommendations include:-
The current mixed member system for electing the Scottish Parliament should be retained, but with open lists to increase voter choice.
Constituency and regional boundaries for the Scottish Parliament should be based on local authority areas rather than Westminster constituencies, with the regions revised to better reflect natural local communities.
Candidates for election to the Scottish Parliament should not be prohibited from standing in a constituency and on the regional list.
Clearer and more positive roles should be developed for constituency and regional MSPs.
The single transferable vote system should be introduced for European parliamentary elections.
Scottish Parliament and local government elections should be held on different days.
Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, the Commission's Chairman said:
"Our recommendations, based on evidence gathered from a wide range of individuals and bodies, are a package of interconnected measures which we believe will help devolution work for the benefit of Scotland's citizens.
"Our inquiry was complex, with each area - boundaries, voting and representation - influencing the others. This required rigorous analysis tested against a clear set of principles. Options for change are argued through in detail.
"Communities and community interests emerged at all levels of our inquiry as being particularly vital. Accordingly, we recommend a model for Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions based on local authority areas. While having the same boundaries for the Scottish Parliament and Westminster may be desirable, this is not essential. It is more important that Scottish Parliamentary constituencies and regions are shaped in a way which best enables service provision for the citizen.
"We believe that the present mixed member system for the Scottish Parliament can be improved and made more accountable to voters by introducing open lists for regional candidates and by presenting this voting system in a more accurate way. We also recommend that the roles of constituency and regional MSPs are made clearer and more positive.
"We recommend the introduction of STV for European elections in Scotland, to enable greater voter choice, and argue that moving to STV for the Scottish Parliament elections, whist not recommended at present, should remain an option for the future if the implementation of our recommendations do not achieve their intended purpose.
"Overall, we believe that our report shows that, with sensible reform, Scotland can achieve electoral systems which are proportional and which produce a mix of constituency and regional members. This should create a new balance between citizen advocacy and strategic overview in the constituencies and regions at a time of rapid economic and social development in Scotland."
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. Copies of the report and details on the work of the Commission can be found on its website at www.arbuthnottcommission.gov.uk
2. The report has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the First Minister.
3. The Commission was asked to examine the possible impact of future boundary differences between Westminster and Holyrood constituencies and four different voting systems on voter participation, relationships with MPs and MSPs, and the service provided to constituents. One of the issues it was specifically asked to look at was whether the method of voting in Scottish Parliament elections should be changed.
4. In addition to Sir John Arbuthnott, the Commission's members are: Mr Adam Bruce Director, McGrigors Public Policy, Edinburgh; Professor Mike Donnelly Head of School of Business and Enterprise, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh; Mr Donal Dowds, Divisional Managing Director, BAA Scotland and USA; Mr John Keggie, Self employed businessman and former Deputy General Secretary, CWU Postal; Mr John Lawrie, OBE Former investment manager and former Chairman of the Scottish Liberal Party; Councillor Alison Magee Convenor, Highland Council; Mr John McCormick Former Controller, BBC Scotland; Dr Nicola McEwen Lecturer in Politics, University of Edinburgh Ms Mary Pitcaithly, OBE Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Falkirk Council; Mr Michael Russell Freelance journalist and broadcaster and former MSP for South Scotland
Contact: Anne Aitken, Assistant Secretary of the Commission, on 0131 225 2764 or 07909894285