North Wales Council Narrowly Votes Against Adopting New Voting System

A North Wales council narrowly voted against adopting a new voting system for its elections.
Cyngor Gwynedd held a meeting to discuss the adoption of the Single Transferable Vote system [STV], a form of proportional representation where voters list candidates in order of preference.
The system, which resembles the Northern Ireland Assembly’s “Gregory” System and the voting system in Scotland, means electoral candidates must have a certain quota of votes to be elected.
If introduced, the system would have eventually meant a major overhaul to the county’s boundaries and wards following a review by the Boundaries Commission.
The system operates on a much larger ward basis meaning between three and six councillors would represent each ward.
Two-thirds of the 69 members on the council were required to vote in favour for the decision to be accepted – which meant 46 members had to vote in favour for it to pass.
In total, 45 of the 68 members present voted in favour, meaning the proposal to change the voting system was narrowly defeated.
During the meeting, which took place on Thursday, 22 voted against, and one abstained.
Proposing the plan, Councillor Menna Trenholme said she believed STV was the “right thing to do for the voters and democracy in Gwynedd”.
She said: “We often lead the way breaking new ground, so why not with this?”
Cllr Cai Larsen said he felt the current First Past The Post system was not “fair or representative”.
Cllr Dylan Fernley congratulated Plaid Cymru on bringing forward the motion, saying it was an “historic move” and a “chance for us to change things…the system we have is broken”.
Veteran councillor Eryl Jones Williams strongly opposed the proposal, and asked: “As two third of this council are Plaid Cymru – has there been a directive locally or nationally on which way they are supposed to vote?”
Cllr Larsen, the Plaid Cymru Gwynedd group chair, said members “were presenting their own views”.
Cllr Jones-Williams added: “I know the arguments in favour of the new system, but I am just not happy with them…it just won’t work.”
Cllr Linda Morgan was also worried the system would see larger wards, saying it “risked a loss of communication with local councillors”.
Cllr Gareth Jones said: “I admit the first past the post is not perfect but at least it is clear.”
The debate over the proposed changes in Gwynedd came following a public consultation, which ended in September.

By Dale Spridgeon – Local Democracy Reporter