 Reformed number of seats from 785 to 736 MEPs  Britain returns 72 seats  Reformed system in 1998, implemented in 1999 European Parliamentary elections use PARTY LIST SYSTEM  Mainland Britain has 11 regions (N. Ireland is 12 th ) with groups elected for each region – fairly proportional although constituency sizes not consistent.  Party publishes a list and voters can vote for party. ‘Closed list’ system as opposed to ‘open list’ where voters can give a preference did gain criticism.  3 elections now 1999, 2004 and  Turn out for EP elections low – under FPTP 36% in 1989 and 1994 but only 23% in 1999 up to 38 % in 2004 so impact of change to system hard to analyse  All parties can choose candidate list  Aided small parties i.e Greens won 2 seats in 2004 & 2009, UKIP won 12 MEPs in 2004 and 13 in 2009 and nationalists (SNP and Plaid Cymru). In centre Lib Dems do better. 12 seats 2004 only 2 in 1994  However slight cut-off point for very small parties due to regional and not a national list i.e 2004 British National Party had 5 % of vote but won no seats as did Respect (anti-war with Iraq party)

 The European Parliament (p )  Scottish Parliament & Welsh Assembly (p )  Election for Mayor of London other directly elected mayors (p )  Northern Ireland Assembly (p )  The Jenkins Report (p )  Council elections in Scot/Wales use STV since Confusion to voters? (p.116)  House of Lords – reform or not? (p.116)

 1999 Reforms – AMS (hybrid system)  MSP = Member of Scottish Parliament  MWA = Member of the Welsh Assembly  Two parts FPTP and closed party lists. ‘Split-ticket’ voting  5 regions in Wales and 40 constituencies  Scotland = 7 regions and 73 constituencies  Impact?  Turnout?  How did it affect small and large parties?  Impact at elections? Coalitions  ‘New Politics’ for Scotland and Wales. Scotland moves to ‘left’?  Increased female representation

 Good Friday Agreement 1998 complex constitutional arrangement to create political system that wasn’t dominated by Unionist majority.  Uses STV – try to create representation for two hostile communities as proportional. Also hoped that transferable vote would go t moderates and not extremists.  Elections in 1998, 2003 and 2007Helped represent smaller groups like the Alliance, the Women’s Coalition and the minor Unionist parties.  But increase in support for extreme parties in 2003 DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and SF (Sinn Fein). Confirmed in SO STV seemed to have little impact. 

 Labour and electoral reform (Neil Kinnock/Blair etc.) Why did Labour want reform? Cons victories  The Jenkins Report  Why no referendum under Labour on electoral reform? Using pages you need notes on the above issues Answer questions 1-7 on page 85.

Work to be completed by next lesson  Finished notes and questions from text book.  Notes from the handout on electoral reform – Independent commission, attitudes of Conservatives/Libs/Labour to electoral reform etc. BE READY TO DISCUSS NEXT LESSON  Read, highlight and annotate the article on the 2010 General Election. Again be ready to discuss.