The need for real democracy in Local Elections!

Has the time come to change the voting system for our Local Elections? 

I am in agreement with the merits of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) for Local Elections. 

The problem that I believe we have in Tameside - and in many other councils across the country - is that the First Past The Post System has allowed the rise of the "One-Party State" or "Rotten Borough" whereby, one political party is dominant and can remain so for decades - if not permanently?

Since the political parties are often controlled from a national centre - i.e. London - any party will only commit its campaign resources in Local Elections either to: 

(i)  the areas where that party is already dominant 

(ii) the areas where it feels it has a chance of gaining control of the local authority

(iii) or when local elections are held at the same time as other elections - i.e. a National or European Election - to maximise the party vote.

Thus in Local Elections throughout Greater Manchester, the Tories concentrate primarily on retaining control of Trafford or trying to gain Bolton or Bury, whilst the Liberal Democrats have given up in Tameside to retain what they have elsewhere. 

As a result of this, many constituencies and boroughs have become little different from medieval feudal fiefdoms in that they become mere territories remaining under the permanent control of those in power. This is dangerous for democracy as more and more people will continue to become dis-engaged from the election process!

Mr Robert Sykes, a long-committed supporter of STV, has stated that, in the recent Local Elections in Tameside, "thirteen wards were won on a minority vote, with one ward (Stalybridge North) being won on less than 40% of the poll."

Under STV, the Conservatives, UKIP, Greens and others would now have more seats on Tameside Council - and Labour would actually have less - as a true reflection of the way the electorate had voted in the 2014 Local Election.

This would not only give us a much more representative council, but would also make our politicians more accountable to the electorate than the current First Past The Post system, since many could no longer take the people in their wards for granted just by simply relying on a larger core vote. 

In my view, it would make many opposition candidates campaign much harder during elections - rather than just putting up as paper candidates - and confident that by doing so they could actually gain more seats.

The electors too, would have more confidence that their vote can actually count for something, removing the oft-quoted myths that "nothing will ever change" or "this area has always been Labour" etc.

Unfortunately, in every instance, the aim of any political party - whatever its proclaimed ideals - is to further the interests of the party. The two dominant political parties are not inclined to change a system that currently favours them, whilst the Liberal Democrats are now in many areas a discredited force for change. What all political parties seem to have in common is that they are all opportunistic and party advantage always has to come first before any genuine reform.

Our elected politicians remain confident that they are certain to be re-elected every time if they can only get out their "core" supporters to vote. This is indeed true if we remember how the libraries were closed in Tameside straight after the 2012 Local Elections and yet - despite the storm of protest at the time - no councillor who voted for those closures lost their seat in 2014. Indeed, there are many other instances across the borough where our local "representatives" have been at odds with local residents yet continue to hang on to power come the next election!  

It is very unlikely that any political party will ever change the system completely in favour of the voter without first taking into account its own interests. I believe therefore that real reform can only occur if it is separated from any political party interest. Pressure for change must - it seems - come from outside the party system.

Will it be left solely to people who are not in a political party but who seek change and who are prepared to stand and campaign to get themselves elected - as I am trying to do in Denton South Ward - free from any party allegiance, to give priority to the task of creating and maintaining a genuine democratic system where every single vote will count, where all political parties are able to properly represent their supporters and where all politicians are both accountable to the electorate and unable to abuse public office once elected?

One thing however, is certain. These changes will never happen until the current politicians have been voted out of office and replaced by people who will make the changes needed!

Carl Simmons

Denton South Independent

29th June 2014