House of Commons (Method of Voting and Redistribution of Seats) Act (Northern Ireland) 1929

The House of Commons (Method of Voting and Redistribution of Seats) Act (Northern Ireland) 1929 fundamentally reshaped the electoral system in Northern Ireland and redrew the electoral map. Its two core objectives were to abolish proportional representation (specifically the single transferable vote system) in parliamentary elections for the Northern Ireland House of Commons and to redraw constituency boundaries, creating single-member constituencies.

Prior to the Act, elections to the Northern Ireland Parliament used the single transferable vote system within multi-member constituencies. This system, designed to ensure representation of minorities, was replaced with the first-past-the-post system (also known as simple plurality voting) in single-member constituencies.

The Act implemented a major redistribution of seats, reducing the number of seats in the Northern Ireland House of Commons from 52 to 48. This redistribution, combined with the move to single-member constituencies and the first-past-the-post system, significantly altered the political landscape of Northern Ireland. Critics argued that the new system disadvantaged smaller parties, particularly the Nationalist parties representing the Catholic minority, and consolidated the dominance of the Ulster Unionist Party. Proponents argued that the new system provided for more stable government and clearer representation.

The Act was a significant piece of legislation in the history of Northern Ireland, and its effects on the political system were long-lasting, contributing to the sectarian divisions that characterized the region for much of the 20th century. The first election held under the new system was in 1929.