Proportional representation (PR) is not a voting system in itself. Instead, it’s the idea that seats in parliament should reflect the proportion of votes cast; something which can be achieved through a variety of electoral systems.
As such, there’s not just one way that PR works. But it’s possible to understand what it might look like if it were implemented across Britain by getting to grips with the nuts and bolts of the different types of voting systems which do establish proportional representation.
It’s also worth considering examples of countries which use PR for their elections.
The Single Transferable Vote (STV)
The ERS’ preferred proportional voting system is the Single Transferable Vote (STV). For an example of STV in action, we can look no further than Scotland, where it’s used for local elections, as well as Northern Ireland, which uses STV for local elections and Northen Ireland Assembly elections.
Under STV, larger areas elect a small group of representatives, as opposed to one person being elected for a smaller area.
Ballot papers also differ: STV gives voters papers with a list of candidates which voters number in order of preference.
Then there’s the vote count. To get elected, a candidate needs to hit a vote quota. But it doesn’t end there: across several rounds of counts, surplus votes are re-allocated from both successful candidates and candidates who’ve missed the quota, using voters’ numbered preferences as a guide. Under this system, votes don’t go to waste if your favourite candidate doesn’t win, making it a far more proportional system.
By contrast, under the current system we use to elect our Westminster representatives, First Past the Post (FPTP), even if a large proportion of voters voted for a candidate, those votes will be wasted if a different candidate receives just a few more votes. There can only be one winner under FPTP.
Find out more about STV
The Additional Members System (AMS)
Another proportional system is the Additional Member System (AMS). In the UK, it’s used in Welsh Parliament, the London Assembly, and Scottish Parliament. AMS uses two ballot papers. One lists candidates standing to be your local MP; the other is a list of parties. A vote for a party translates to a vote to make more of a party’s pre-published list of candidates into MPs.
The first ballot paper is counted first, with the winner elected via FPTP. The second ballot paper count elects ‘additional members’ based on the percentage of votes as well as the number of constituency members already elected. The result is that there’ll only be a single MP for a constituency, but parliament itself will be proportional.
Find out more about AMS
Party List Proportional Representation
Party list PR is used around the world. In fact, it’s the most popular voting system globally.
Under the party lists system, constituencies are larger, with a group of MPs are elected. Parties will publish a list of candidates, and voters will be able to select from a list of either parties or candidates themselves.
There are three main forms of party list election: closed list, open list, and semi-open list. Regardless of the method chosen, the result will be highly proportionate, with seats largely proportionate to votes cast.
Find out more about Party List PR
If we want fairer elections where votes truly matter, we need PR. Though not an exhaustive list, the mechanics of the three voting systems described above all enshrine proportionality – and therefore do a far better job than FPTP in making sure voters’ voices are heard.
Proportional Representation Around the World
Around the world, fair votes under proportional systems to elect representatives is commonplace. Taking note of how these elections play out is helpful in illustrating the workings of PR.
For example, the ERS’ favoured form of PR, STV, is used in Ireland and Malta. And party list PR is the world’s most popular system: it’s used in 74 countries across the world.
What’s striking is that Britain is in the minority, globally, in its use of First Past the Post. That means we are lagging behind when it comes to making sure every vote matters.
Learn more about the use of PR globally
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