It is enlightening to look at the election result to see how the first past the post system distorts the make-up of Parliament.

Labour gained 37 per cent of the popular vote but have 55 per cent of the seats (355), the Conservatives gained 33 per cent of the popular vote but have 31 per cent of seats (197), the Lib Dems gained 22 per cent of the popular vote but only 10 per cent of seats (62), all the others added together gained eight per cent of the popular vote and have five per cent of the seats (30).

Or, to put it the other way around, if the seats awarded reflected the popular vote then the make-up of Parliament would be very different Labour 238, Conservative 213, Lib Dem 141 and others 52. This would then allow people all over the country to vote for the party or person they like most, not against the one they like least.

J COUSINS

Penhill, Swindon