The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is about to ‘rank’ our candidates for the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. The higher up the list a candidate is ranked, the better their chance of being elected next year. You must register by midnight on 31st October 2016 to be involved.
In the past, it’s only been the members of political parties who have had a say in candidate rankings. But this time, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is doing things differently. We want all our supporters in every corner of Scotland to have their say.
Everyone who supports our party can help decide their Scottish Conservative representatives in Holyrood.
If you are a supporter of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and you’d like to take part in deciding our candidates for next year’s election, click here to register.
The Scottish Parliament elections operate differently to Westminster elections. Here's a brief overview as to what is involved:
- There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). This comprises 73 Constituency MSPs and 56 additional Regional Members with Scotland divided into 8 Regions comprising 7 Regional MSPs.
- East Lothian is part of South Scotland Region which also comprises Ayr, Carrick, Cumnock & DoonValley; Clydesdale; Dumfriesshire; Ettrick,Roxburgh & Berwickshire; Galloway & West Dumfries; Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley; Midlothian South; Tweedale,Ettrick & Lauderdale.
- The system for the MSPs Election allows people to have a local Constituency MSP and also other Regional MSPs to make the overall result more proportional.
- This means that there are two ways an MSP can be elected, i.e. as a Constituency MSP or as a ‘Regional’ MSP.
Each elector (voter) has two votes.
- The elector’s first vote is for the Constituency MSP under the ‘first past the post’ system (as per the UK General election).
- The elector’s second vote is for the 56 Regional members with the elector voting for his/her Party rather than a Candidate.
The recently selected ELCUA Candidate will therefore be East Lothian’s Candidate for the Constituency and for the Region.
In early November all ECUA members and known Conservative supporters will automatically receive ballot papers from Head Office which will entitle them to participate in ranking the ‘Regional’ List candidates within South Scotland Region.
Those who are not ELCUA members and not known Conservative supporters will also be able to participate in the ranking process for the ‘Regional’ List provided they register at scottishconservatives.com/register before 31st October. They will then receive a ballot paper.
In November, Conservative Party ‘hustings’ will be held in each Region’s Constituency attended by the 7 Regional candidates. Members/known Conservative supporters and those who have registered (by 31st October) will be entitled to either vote at these hustings or by post.
The result of the Ballot will be known in early December.