I’d like to express my concern with our electoral system before dust settles after the general election.

It seems the current unrest is partly fuelled by voters not feeling they’ve any effective representation in Parliament. 

The recent election produced the most distorted result ever – nationally a record high of nearly 60 per cent of voters didn’t get a Party they voted for and in Salisbury the figure was higher at 66 per cent ie thirty-three thousand out of the fifty thousand that voted. 

Also, voter apathy has increased - many opting out feeling their votes would be wasted. This helps allow Labour and Conservative parties to gain imbalanced power with their combined national vote being only 57.6 per cent! 

I think the UK needs a fairer, proportional system that ensures Parliament accurately represents how the country votes. Research shows proportional systems tend to produce more stable governments capable of delivering lasting improvement in complex policy areas, such as climate and healthcare. 

It’s time for the voices of all voters to be heard - something has to change. 

I call on the Labour and Conservative leadership to ‘wake up’ and recognise the need for urgent reform towards Proportional Representation for the wider good beyond their self-interest.

Phil Spooner

Southampton Road, Whaddon 

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