The votes recorded by the readers of the Spectator and
other newspapers in the test election organised by the Proportional Representation Society were counted on Thursday night at Caxton Hall. The proceedings were a useful object-lesson of the facility with which so large a number of votes-21,690- were dealt with and the transfers made. There were only eighteen spoilt votes. The result of the election was, of course, quite immaterial, as people were voting to show the working of a machine, not to produce a particular product. Still, the result may interest the voters. Mr. Asquith came first, Mr. Balfour next, and then Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Burt, and Mr. Ramsay Macdonald. It is greatly to be hoped that the Government when they draft their Reform Bill will not forget the principle of proportional representation. It may be noted that to do this it will in no way be necessary to break up existing and historical areas.
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