WHILE Tory leader David Cameron’s sudden conversion to the parliamentary reform agenda is welcome, his outright rejection of proportional representation (PR) suggests he is less than serious about the revival of democratic accountability.

It is quite a feat to argue, as Mr Cameron does, that PR would be a retreat from passing power downwards.

The overcentralised UK government holds immense power over our lives, and – under first past the post – control depends on a small number of swing voters in a small number of constituencies. North-East voters have little effective say about which party gains power.

Elections under PR to the Scottish and European parliaments show that many people do want to vote for parties other than Labour or Conservative.

Under PR, a voter knows that the party they support has a good chance of election. With no party in the majority, under PR the various parties can work with one another to bring about the changes most people want. It does not reduce democratic accountability, as Mr Cameron claims, but enhances it.

Elections by PR for the Commons would make governments more responsive to a full range of views, leading to better government. This is the constitutional reform that Britain needs most.

Shirley Ford, North-East Lead Euro Candidate, Green Party, South Shields.

IN her letter, Barbara Bates (HAS, May 26) refers to a recent poll which showed that only 45 per cent of the electorate would vote if a General Election were called right now.

One way to increase the numbers voting would be to finally introduce an idea which has been suggested numerous times over the years. In all future elections each ballot slip would have an additional box simply entitled “None of the above”.

This would give people an incentive to vote as it provides a far better means of protesting than spoiling a ballot slip or not voting – while at the same time making it clear to the respective parties as to what percentage of the population find their policies unacceptable.

CT Riley, Spennymoor, Co Durham.