Letter: Baffling ballots

Sir: If the Irish are able to use and understand the single transferable vote (STV) system of proportional representation why can't the British electorate be trusted with it?

STV does ensure that party representation is proportional to the votes cast and moreover gives the voter a chance in a multi-seat constituency of giving preference to the party candidate of his or her own choice. In this way voters can decide whether to support, for example, either a right- or left-wing candidate instead of allowing the party to choose its own list of centrally appointed apparatchiks.

Voters would then be determining the trend they wish the parties to follow. Is this too much for British politicians to contemplate ?

FRANK BAIGEL

Manchester