Elections
The first elections to the new county council were held on 23 January 1889. Since then, members have been elected for a term of office (initially three years, now four), with elections held all together on the "first past the post" system.
Until the early 1970s, the County Council still included aldermen. Of a total of 92 members, 69 were elected every three years by ratepayers, and 23 were aldermen, chosen by the 69 elected members. The aldermen served for six years, so after each triennial election either eleven or twelve were appointed, these numbers alternating. Until 1910, the outgoing aldermen could also vote on such appointments. As voting members of the council, aldermen were finally abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, so that there are now only the elected members, each of the fifty-eight present county divisions electing a single member.
As a result of the elections to the county council in June 2009, it now consists of 35 Conservatives, 21 Liberal Democrats, and two Labour members. The council is led by Ken Maddock (Conservative).
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 35 | |
| Liberal Democrat | 21 | |
| Labour | 2 | |
| Total | 58 | |
Read more about this topic: Somerset County Council
Famous quotes containing the word elections:
“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
“Apparently, a democracy is a place where numerous elections are held at great cost without issues and with interchangeable candidates.”
—Gore Vidal (b. 1925)