Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 21 July 2022, the Council had referred the following Notice of Motion from Councillor Forster to the Executive.

“The Council notes that Belarus and the United Kingdom are the only European countries that use First Past the Post for their national elections.

This Council believes that Proportional Representation ensures all votes count, have equal value, and those seats won match votes cast. Under Proportional Representation, Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of local communities and the nation. Members of Parliament better reflecting their communities leads to improved decision-making, wider participation and increased levels of ownership of decisions taken.

Proportional Representation would also end minority rule. In 2019, 43.6% of the vote produced a Government with 56.2% of the seats and 100% of the power. Proportional Representation also prevents ‘wrong winner’ elections such as occurred in 1951 and February 1974.

Proportional Representation is already used to elect the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not for Westminster elections.

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Prime Minister and Woking’s Member of Parliament calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for future General Elections.”

The Executive had supported the motion and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Barker, introduced the recommendation, outlining the key elements of proportional representation.  Councillor Johnson moved and Councillor Aziz seconded an amendment to add the words “and Local” after the word “General” in the final paragraph, with the paragraph to read: “This Council therefore resolves to write to the Prime Minister and Woking’s Member of Parliament calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for future General and Local Elections.”

The Members of the Council debated the merits of proportional representation, arguing for and against the changes in political representation it would bring about.  Councillor Barker responded to the points raised during the debate before the motion, as amended, was put to a vote.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8 the names of Members voting for and against the motion, including the amendment, were recorded.

In favour:                           Councillors H Akberali, T Aziz, A-M Barker, A Boote, G Cosnahan, W Forster, P Graves, I Johnson, D Jordan, A Kirby, R Leach, L Lyons, L Morales, J Morley, E Nicholson, S Oades, M I Raja, D Roberts and J Sanderson and T Spencer.

Total in favour:                  18

Against:                             Councillors A Azad, J Brown, K Davis, S Dorsett, G Elson and C Kemp.

Total against:                     6

Present not voting:            The Mayor, Councillor S Hussain.

Total present not voting:   1

The recommendation to support the motion as amended was therefore carried by 20 votes in favour to 6 votes against.

         RESOLVED

         That the motion, as amended below, be supported.

         “The Council notes that Belarus and the United Kingdom are the only European countries that use First Past the Post for their national elections.

         This Council believes that Proportional Representation ensures all votes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

Reporting Person – Corporate Leadership Team

At its meeting on 21 July 2022, the Council referred the following Notice of Motion to the Executive.

Councillor W P Forster

“The Council notes that Belarus and the United Kingdom are the only European countries that use First Past the Post for their national elections.

This Council believes that Proportional Representation ensures all votes count, have equal value, and those seats won match votes cast. Under Proportional Representation, Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of local communities and the nation. Members of Parliament better reflecting their communities leads to improved decision-making, wider participation and increased levels of ownership of decisions taken.

Proportional Representation would also end minority rule. In 2019, 43.6% of the vote produced a Government with 56.2% of the seats and 100% of the power. Proportional Representation also prevents ‘wrong winner’ elections such as occurred in 1951 and February 1974.

Proportional Representation is already used to elect the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not for Westminster elections.

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Prime Minister and Woking’s Member of Parliament calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for future General Elections.”

Councillor Forster spoke in support of the Motion.  The Executive was in agreement with the Motion which called for the Council to support Proportional Representation in elections, and to express its preference for Proportional Representation to the Government.  It was noted that Proportional Representation had been raised as a doorstep issue by residents.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Motion be supported.