Voting systems in the UK
This briefing provides an overview of the different voting systems currently used for elections in the UK. It also examines the pros and cons of different systems.

On Thursday 2 May 2024 the fourth elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) took place in 37 PCC areas in England and Wales.
Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2024 (530 KB , PDF)
On Thursday 2 May 2024 the fourth elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) took place in 37 PCC areas in England and Wales.
Of the 37 police forces which elected a PCC in 2024, 33 were in England and four in Wales. 12 of those elected PCCs were female (32% of successful candidates).
In England, 19 of the 33 successful candidates were Conservative (58%), and 14 of the successful candidates were Labour (42%). Of the four PCC elections in Wales, three Labour candidates were successful, and one from Plaid Cymru.
Labour was the only party to gain PCCs in 2024 (+10) while the Conservatives lost 10. Plaid Cymru were the only other party to win a PCC election (Dyfed-Powys).
A total of 136 candidates stood in the 37 PCC elections. Of these, 37 candidates were Conservative, 37 Labour, 35 Liberal Democrat, 4 Plaid Cymru, 8 Green, 7 Independents, and 8 others.
Turnout (measured as valid votes as a proportion of the electorate) averaged 23.2% across the 35 PCC elections for which we able to collect electorate data. Turnout was on average higher in the English PCC elections (24%) compared to those in Wales (17%).
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are directly elected individuals responsible for securing an “effective and efficient” police force for their area. Their main purpose is to set the strategy for the police force, and hold it to account. They can hire and, if necessary, fire, chief constables.
Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2024 (530 KB , PDF)
This briefing provides an overview of the different voting systems currently used for elections in the UK. It also examines the pros and cons of different systems.
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