Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919

The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It aimed to reform local government structures in Ireland and extend greater autonomy to Irish local authorities. Its primary effect was to introduce proportional representation (specifically, the single transferable vote or STV) for local elections throughout Ireland. This replaced the previous "first past the post" system.

The Act was a response to growing nationalist sentiment and demands for Home Rule. By introducing proportional representation, the Act sought to ensure fairer representation for all political viewpoints, including those of Irish nationalists, in local councils. It was hoped that this would lead to more inclusive and representative local government and contribute to a more stable political environment.

The timing of the Act was crucial. It was enacted shortly after the end of World War I and amid escalating political tensions in Ireland, including the rise of Sinn Féin. The first elections held under the new system took place in 1920 and resulted in significant gains for Sinn Féin, who declared a separate Irish Republic in 1919 and boycotted the British Parliament. These victories enabled Sinn Féin to control many local councils, which they then used to undermine British administration and support the establishment of alternative Irish institutions.

Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1919 continued to function in both the Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland) and Northern Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, STV has remained a key feature of both local and national elections. In Northern Ireland, however, it was abolished for local elections in 1922 and for parliamentary elections in 1929, primarily due to Unionist concerns about its impact on their electoral dominance. Despite its eventual abolition in Northern Ireland for a time, its introduction represented a notable attempt to address political inequalities and promote broader participation in local government across Ireland.