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Through a study of local party adaptation to the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) in the 2007 Scottish local government election, this article asks whether party organisations can be strategic, vote-maximising actors when a new electoral system is introduced. By examining candidate and 'vote management' strategies, the article demonstrates that local parties tended to adapt best in areas of organisational and electoral strength. However, despite some comprehensive attempts to adapt to the STV system, parties were hampered by a lack of experience with the new system and a lack of adequate data upon which to base candidate and campaigning decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the impact of introducing STV for Scottish Local Government elections. The new electoral system has had a significant effect in terms of extending the principles of coalition politics, thereby presenting opportunities for all parties. Parties now work within the context of multi-party agreements in order to run Scotland's 32 councils. The myriad of party configurations or 'coalitions' to emerge from these STV elections stands in sharp contrast with the behaviour of parties at Holyrood, and with parties competing under FPTP rules. In this respect, STV has transformed party politics in Scottish local government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A form of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) will be introduced for Scottish local government elections in May 2007, bringing the total number of electoral systems used in Scotland to four. The article outlines the key characteristics of the new system, and considers the implications of these changes. The introduction of STV will undoubtedly produce a more proportional distribution of seats among the main parties, and there will be a reduction in the number of Labour councillors. However, the reforms are unlikely to lead to an electoral transformation in that minor parties will still struggle to make an impact. Nor will the party responsible for these changes – the Liberal Democrats – benefit to any great extent. This may be a case of political principles overcoming the desire for electoral advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]