Letter: Peer pressures

Sir: We all like to claim that we are dedicated to democracy but it is a hollow claim if we do not also espouse an electoral system which produces democratic results.

The only form of PR which truly meets that test is the single transferable vote (STV). Forty and more years ago, one of my duties was to conduct elections in rural areas of East Africa. I found that this electorate, largely semi-literate, had no difficulty in understanding the rationale of the simple system of STV which I suggested to them, nor in putting it into practice, nor in accepting the results as equitable. They laughed uproariously when offered first-past-the-post as the alternative.

In later years I have had other opportunities elsewhere to see single constituency STV proving its worth. I must now put my faith in Lord Jenkins' commission to recommend nothing less.

A W STEPHENS

Bradford Abbas,

Dorset