Overview

This bill proposes to change the voting system for electing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Great Britain and Gibraltar to an "open list" system. This means voters will choose individual candidates from party lists, rather than just voting for a party.

Description

The bill's main focus is to replace the existing system with an open regional list system. This involves several key changes:

• Open List System: Voters will select individual candidates from a party's list of nominees. They can also vote for independent candidates not affiliated with a registered party.
• Candidate Nomination: Registered parties must submit lists of candidates, with a maximum number equal to the MEPs to be elected for each region.
• Seat Allocation: Seats are allocated based on individual candidate votes. The candidate with the most votes from the party with the most overall votes gets the first seat (unless an independent candidate receives more votes). Subsequent seats are allocated similarly, with a divisor applied to parties that have already received seats.
• Repeal: Section 2 of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 will be repealed.
• Commencement: The Act will come into force three months after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify a change in government spending. The cost of implementing the new electoral system (new ballot papers, counting processes, etc.) would be a relevant, though unspecified, government expense.

Groups Affected

• Voters: Voters will experience a change in how they vote and a potentially different outcome.
• Political Parties: Parties will need to adapt their campaigning strategies to the new open list system.
• Electoral Officials: They will need to implement and administer the new voting system.
• Candidates: Candidates will need to campaign more directly for individual votes.

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