Electoral Reform
SIR,—It would appear that Alan Watkins, having heard Mr. Grimond's first speech at the Liberal Assembly, paid no attention to the electoral reform resolution that followed. If he had even read the resolution properly he could not write of 'the alternative vote (i.e. the single transferable vote).'
The single transferable vote means that each elec- tor has one vote (no matter how many seats have to be filled) and that this vote is assured of effective- ness by being transferable, on the voter's instruc- tions, conveyed by numbering candidates in the order of his preference, from a candidate it cannot help to elect to a candidate it can help.
When this is applied to the election of several people together (say, the six MPs for Bristol as one constituency), it gives proportional representation to political parties and/or any similar groups into which the voters may choose to divide. This is what was expressly demanded in the Liberal Assembly resolution, and is what is commonly known•in this country as 'PR.'
When applied to the election of one person only, it is known as the alternative vote; it serves to eliminate the 'split vote' and (probably more im- portant) the fear of splitting the vofe, but cannot guarantee a proportional result—not even that the party with the most votes in the country will win the most seats. An amendment to include the alternative vote in the resolution was defeated, with a mere handful voting for it.
In case Mr. Watkins thinks enthusiasm for PR is more or less confined to myself, I had better in- form him that, in the constituency ballot (by PR!) for resolutions to he debated at the Assembly, this was far and away the most popular subject.
The Electoral Reform Society, Albany. Building, Creek Road, SE8
ENID LAK FAIAN
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