Can’t win…

Published: 5 May, 2011

KUDOS to Chris Philp for writing (Letters, April 28) that he won’t support an electoral system simply because it might have in the past (or could in future) be in his favour.

But his conclusion from his own experience is wrong: the extremely tight result in Hampstead and Kilburn is a fine illustration of how our current electoral system fails to work for the majority of voters.

Some residents – certainly more than the 42 winning margin – will have voted tactically in that poll, convinced by one of three sides’ “Party X can’t win here”. They had to try to second-guess the likely result. With AV that would not be necessary; voters can avoid tactical voting and honestly express their opinions. 

Today say “yes” to a fairer voting system.

NATALIE BENNETT
Chair, Camden Green Party