Electoral verdict
May 5, 2011
The polls have opened in the United Kingdom, where voters across the nation have first opportunity to give their verdict on the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government since the two uneasy partners joined in a coalition following last year's general election. They are casting their ballots in local and regional elections, as well as in a referendum on changing the country's voting system.
In the referendum on electoral reform, opinion polls suggest British voters will opt to stay with the current first-past-the-post system, in which the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins. This system is favored by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives, as well as many in the opposition Labour Party.
The alternative vote
The other option, which is backed by the Liberal Democrats, the junior partners in the government, is the alternative vote (AV). Under that system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If none of the candidates gets more than 50 percent, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated in the first round and his or her ballots are redistributed according to second choices. The process continues until one candidate has at least 50 percent of the vote.
Supporters of this system argue that it is fairer and gives smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats a better chance of success. Agreeing to hold this referendum was a key concession that Cameron made to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg to convince him to join the government, but the conflict over the issue has put considerable strain on the coalition.
Local council and regional polls
Opinion polls suggest voters are set to punish the center-left Lib Dems for joining the coalition with the Conservatives, not only in the referendum, but also in local council elections in England. The center-left Labour Party is expected to gain hundreds of council seats, based on the unpopularity of the government.
Voters are also voting in elections for the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments, as well as a by-election in the English midlands.
Author: Chuck Penfold (Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Michael Lawton