People in Stirling vote in different elections. Each of these is a way to choose a specific type of representative.
UK general election
This is a way for people to choose a Member of the UK Parliament, or 'Westminster MP'.
One Westminster MP represents the UK Parliament constituency of Stirling. This constituency covers the same area as the Stirling Council area.
UK general elections are normally held every 5 years.
Scottish Parliament election
This is a way for people to choose Members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs.
Stirling has 1 constituency MSP. The area of this Scottish Parliament constituency covers 6 of the 7 wards in the Stirling Council area. However, the Dunblane and Bridge of Allan ward is in the neighbouring constituency of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane.
Stirling is also represented by 7 regional MSPs for the Scottish Parliament region of Mid-Scotland and Fife.
Scottish Parliament elections are held every 5 years.
Local government election
This is a way for people to choose councillors. These individuals are also sometimes called members.
Stirling Council has 23 councillors, spread across 7 'multi-member' wards. They're called multi-member wards because each ward has more than 1 councillor. In Stirling, the breakdown is that:
- 5 wards have 3 councillors each
- 2 wards have 4 councillors each
Local government elections are held every 5 years.